SNAP Work Requirements

You are an ABAWD if you are between the ages 18-64 years old and do not meet an exemption.

Examples of exemptions: having a disability or other mental/physical barriers to work, being pregnant, receiving or applying for unemployment benefits, meeting TANF work requirements, or living with a child under age 14. Click here to see the full list of exemptions.

Starting June 1, 2026, if you are told by DHS that you are an ABAWD and do not meet an exemption, and you do not meet the work rules, you can only get SNAP for three months in a three year‑period.

Note: SNAP also has General Work Requirements (GWR) that already exist in DC. If you are exempt from GWR, then you are also exempt from the ABAWD work requirements.

*If you are applying or recertifying for SNAP in the next 60 days and would like to see if you may need to follow new ABAWD work requirements, use our pre-screener tool.

We'll ask you some simple questions and tell you whether we think you will be required to follow the new work requirements. This tool is not a formal determination from DHS.

If you are an adult between ages of 18-64 years old, have no children and don’t think you have an exemption, new work requirements might affect you. If you are applying or recertifying for benefits in the next 60 days, you can start getting ready now.

• If you are a SNAP customer, starting June 1, 2026, the next time you recertify DHS will determine if you need to meet ABAWD work requirements or qualify for an exemption. Then, DHS will send you a notice explaining which household members need to meet which work requirements.
   
• If you are applying for SNAP, starting June 1, 2026, DHS will determine if you need to meet ABAWD work requirements or qualify for an exemption at the time of your application.

While no new action is required to keep your SNAP benefits until DHS notifies you that you must follow ABAWD work requirements, if you believe you will be affected by the changes that begin June 1, 2026, we strongly recommend taking the following actions:

• Need help looking for work or work activities? SNAP customers can seek SNAP E&T services any time you are interested. Please call our office at (202) 535-1178 or e-mail us at [email protected], or call TTY/TDD at 711 to get started. Services are currently being offered both in-person and remotely. SNAP customers with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits should re-engage with TANF work requirements through the Office of Performance Monitoring (OPM) in DCWET at (202) 645-8205.
   
• Don’t wait! Report exemptions & work activities now! While you are not required to report proof of exemptions or work activity (paid and/or volunteer) until your next certification or recertification of SNAP, you can report them as early as June 1. On June 1, DHS will be launching the Work Requirements Screening Form and the Verification of Employment or Qualifying Work Activity Form. These forms can be used to help determine if you qualify for exemptions or are meeting work requirements.
   
• Read and respond to mail right away! Make sure DHS has your latest info on file, including phone number, address, and household circumstances. Updates can be made via District Direct, in person, or by mail/fax. Access forms on District Direct, in service centers, and online.

If you are between the ages of 18-64 and do not qualify for an exemption, you will be subject to ABAWD work requirements. ABAWD customers not meeting work requirements cannot receive SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 36-month (3-year) period. DC uses a fixed 36-month clock that has the same start date, June 1, 2026, and end date, May 31, 2029, for all customers.

SNAP work requirement exemptions allow certain people to continue receiving SNAP without having to meet mandatory work or employment and training activities. These exemptions are designed to protect groups who may have limited ability to work—such as people with disabilities, older adults, or parents of young children—from losing benefits after the ABAWD three-month limit.

You may be exempt if any of the following apply:

Age

• Under 18.
• 65 or older.

Health, Pregnancy, or Related Special Conditions

• Physical or mental health conditions make it difficult for you to work 20 hours per week.
• Pregnant.
• In a substance abuse treatment program (you can report by having an allowable professional complete the SNAP Medical Report form available June 1, 2026).
• Receiving disability-related benefits such as SSDI, SSI, workers’ compensation, or veterans’ disability benefits. Requires verification (proof).

Employment or Education

• Working 30+ hours per week (must show proof).
• Earning more than $217.50 per week before taxes.
• Enrolled at least half‑time in school, training, higher education, or a federally recognized refugee program (must show proof).

Caretaker Responsibilities

• Living in a SNAP household with a child under 14.
• Caring for a child under age 6, whether the child is living in or outside your home.
• Caring for someone who is ill or disabled living in or outside your home.

Other Benefit or Program Participation

• Receiving or applying for Unemployment Compensation (must show proof).
• Receiving TANF or cash assistance and complying with its work requirements.

Indigenous Identity

• You are considered to be an American Indian, Alaska Native, Urban Indian, or California Indian eligible for Indian Health Services per federal regulations.

DHS will check if you qualify for an exemption during screening at SNAP application and recertification.

In the meantime, if you are a current SNAP recipient, you can report changes in your household circumstances now (such as pregnancy, disability, or having a child in the home). You can report these changes online via District Direct, the mobile app, in person, or by mail or fax to ensure your case is up to date.

In some cases, you may need to provide proof of your exemption. Once DHS starts screening in June 2026, at your application or next recertification, your caseworker will let you know if you must provide proof. If you meet one or more exemptions, DHS will send a letter confirming that you are exempt from work requirements. If you lose your exemption at any point, the three-month time limit will apply.

Due to recent changes in federal law, SNAP customers aged 60-64 years old will be subject to ABAWD work requirements unless you meet an exemption. You will be screened for work requirement exemptions at your next recertification.

You must report the changes below within 10 days of the end of the month when the change happens. If the change occurs with fewer than 10 days left in the month, you must report it within 10 days of the date it happened.

• Your household’s total income goes over the limit shown in a SNAP notice you received from DHS.
   
• Any reduction in work hours that brings a household member subject to the ABAWD work requirement and time limit below 20 hours a week, or 80 hours averaged monthly. This includes one of the following or a combination of the following:
  • Employment at a job where the customer receives money for their work
  • Self-employment
  • In-kind or working in exchange for goods or services
  • Unpaid work
     
• A member of your household won a substantial lottery or gambling winning with a cash prize from a single game that is over the asset limit for elderly or disabled households, regardless of whether the household has an elderly or disabled member.

You must report the changes below within 10 days of the end of the month when the change happens. If the change occurs with fewer than 10 days left in the month, you must report it within 10 days of the date it happened.

• Your household’s total income goes over the limit shown in a SNAP notice you received from DHS.
•  
• Any reduction in work hours that brings a household member subject to the ABAWD work requirement and time limit below 20 hours a week, or 80 hours averaged monthly. This includes one of the following or a combination of the following:
  • Employment at a job where the customer receives money for their work
  • Self-employmentHeading 3
  • In-kind or working in exchange for goods or services
  • Unpaid work
•  
• A member of your household won a substantial lottery or gambling winning with a cash prize from a single game that is over the asset limit for elderly or disabled households, regardless of whether the household has an elderly or disabled member.

On June 1, 2026, DHS will release 3 new ABAWD forms:

• SNAP Work Requirements Screening Form – screens for exemptions and good cause at application and recertification
   
• SNAP Verification of Employment Form – used to verify work activity history (filled out by the customer and signed by employer representative)
   
• SNAP Medical Report Form – used to report medical condition and to be signed by a qualified professional

Your benefits cannot be terminated because you have not been screened for SNAP work requirements, exemptions, or good cause. When a customer applies/recertifies after the renewal of the District’s 36-month clock (June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2029), countable months can only begin the first full month after the client is screened for work requirements.

If you start meeting the ABAWD rules and meet other eligibility requirements, you can get SNAP benefits again by:

• Reporting it to us if other members of your household are still receiving SNAP.
• Re-applying for benefits if your household is not currently receiving benefits.

You can also get SNAP benefits again if something changes in your life, and there are reasons you no longer need to follow these rules. For example, you may get SNAP benefits back if you have a new physical or mental health reason for not working or because one of the other exemption reasons applies to you.

To meet ABAWD work requirements, you must do one of these things:

• Work an average of at least 20 hours each week (or 80 hours a month). The work can be paid, unpaid, volunteer work, or work done in exchange for goods or services. (Remember, if you are doing paid work where you earn at least $217.50 a week, you are already exempt from the ABAWD work requirements!)   
   
• Be in an approved work or training program for an average of at least 20 hours each week (or 80 hours a month). This could be through SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) or another approved work program.
   
• Do a mix of work and work or training programs for an average of at least 20 hours each week (or 80 hours a month).
   
• Participate in SNAP Volunteer Program (also known as Workfare). This program, run by SNAP E&T, matches customers to approved volunteer opportunities at non-profits, faith-based organizations, or government agencies. The number of hours you must complete depends on your household SNAP benefit amount, but for most households it is less than 30 hours per month.
   

You can participate in any of the following work activities or a combination of these activities for at least 80 hours per month to meet the ABAWD work requirements.

Note: you can also meet work requirements by completing a smaller number of hours through the SNAP Volunteer Program. 

Note: Note: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) customers who are subject to ABAWD work requirements will be exempt if they meet TANF work requirements. If you need to connect with the TANF Employment and Education Program (TEP), contact the Office of Performance Monitoring (OPM) in DCWET at (202) 645-8205.

The SNAP Volunteer Program allows you to meet work requirements by volunteering at an approved volunteer site.

You can sign up for the SNAP Volunteer Program through SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T). SNAP E&T will calculate your required participation hours by using your SNAP benefit amount and dividing it by DC’s minimum wage of $17.95 (required participation hours are often less than 30 hours per month). You will then be matched with a volunteering opportunity at an approved non-profit, faith-based organization, or government agency. Also, you can split hours among ABAWDs in your household.

*For organizations interested in partnering as a SNAP Volunteer Program host site:

• Learn more about the SNAP Volunteer Program: Overview
• Join a virtual host site information session (Tuesdays & Thursdays): Register
• Submit a host site application: Apply

Please call our office at (202) 535-1178, e-mail us at [email protected], or call TTY/TDD at 711 if you have questions or to get started.

There are several programs available for SNAP recipients through the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program to help you find a job, get training, or attend school. For example, SNAP E&T can connect you to paid apprenticeships, internships, and job placement services. Most activities you do through SNAP E&T can count toward meeting your work requirements.

Customers who work with SNAP E&T can also receive reimbursements for eligible transportation, childcare, and other expenses related to participation. Please call SNAP E&T at (202) 535-1178, e-mail [email protected], or visit us at our Anacostia Service Center at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM.

If you are unable to complete work hours due to reasons beyond your control, you may not be penalized if you have “Good Cause”. Starting June 1, 2026, you can report Good Cause anytime via the SNAP Work Requirement Screening Form or to a case worker during your interview. Some examples of good cause include, but are not limited to:

• Temporary illness
• Eviction or foreclosure
• Sudden breakdown in transportation
• Sudden loss of childcare
• Court-ordered appearance or temporary incarceration
• Domestic violence

Yes, you can take steps to avoid losing SNAP benefits. If you do not meet work requirements or an exemption, you will receive a notice in the mail for each month you are not meeting the requirements. After three months of not meeting requirements, you will lose your benefits.

If you do not have an exemption and you are between the ages of 18-64 years old, you must meet requirements each month to receive SNAP benefits. You must satisfy one of the work requirements below and accurately report to DHS that you completed the requirement:

• Work at least 80 hours
   
• Take part in a qualifying work activity like an education or training program for 80 hours. (Note: If your SNAP benefits stop, you cannot be in SNAP E&T because the program is only for people who already get SNAP.)
   
• Do a mixture of work and qualifying work activities that equals 80 hours total.
   
• Participate in the SNAP Volunteer Program. The required number of hours are based on household benefit amount and differ for each customer.
   

If you start meeting the ABAWD rules and meet other eligibility requirements, you can get SNAP benefits again by:

• Reporting it to us if other members of your household are still receiving SNAP.
• Re-applying for benefits if your household is not currently receiving benefits.

You can also get SNAP benefits again if something changes in your life, and there are reasons you no longer need to follow these rules. For example, you may get SNAP benefits back if you have a new physical or mental health reason for not working or because one of the other exemption reasons applies to you.