Summary
Beginning March 1, 2026, new federal rules will change eligibility for some SNAP recipients - especially those without dependent children. These changes expand work requirements to include adults up to age 64 and may affect individuals with children 14 and older.
Beginning March 1, 2026, new federal rules will change eligibility for some SNAP recipients - especially those without dependent children. These changes expand work requirements to include adults up to age 64 and may affect individuals with children 14 and older.
What is happening?
Who is affected?
What is different?
There are now different ABAWD age limits for both you and your dependents.
New Rules:
- Your Age: 18-64*
- Your Dependents' Age: 14* and older
- Work Ability: Able to work
What are the work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents?
To get SNAP benefits for more than three months in a three-year period, ABAWDs must work at least 80 hours a month or participate in a qualified training program.
Detailed work requirement information
You must follow the ABAWD work rules by:
A) Spending at least 80 hours every month doing one or more of the following activities:
- Working (including “in-kind” work),
- Participating in a qualifying work/training program approved by the district,
- Participating in an employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs,
- Participating in a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act(WIOA) or Trade Act, which may include job search, job readiness, occupational skills training, and education activities,
OR
B) Participating in a Work Experience Program (WEP) or volunteering in a community service program for the number of hours per month equal to the household’s SNAP benefit divided by the higher of the federal or state minimum wage.
Are there any exceptions to ABAWD work rules?
You may not have to follow the ABAWD work rules if:
- You are younger than age 18, or age 65 or older,
- Someone in your household is younger than age 14,
- You are a recipient of disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Veterans Affairs or New York State disability benefits,
- You are pregnant,
- You are unable to work at least 80 hours a month because of a physical or mental health reason,
- You are an Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, and/or other Indian who is eligible for the Indian Health Services, or
- You are excused from the general SNAP work rules because you are:
- Younger than age 16
- A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household OR who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
- Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
- Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
- Taking care of an incapacitated person,
- Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
- Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
- Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
- Enrolled in a school, training program or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
- Already working at least 30 hours a week,
- Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more a week, OR
- An SSI applicant or recipient.
Exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals and current or former foster youth age 18-24 have been eliminated.
Do you have questions?
If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out immediately to the Department of Social Services by calling our Case Management Information Center at (914) 995-3333 or visiting your local district office.