What do I need to know about recent SNAP work requirements?

Starting March 1, 2026, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–64 must document 80 hours/month of work, education, or volunteering to maintain SNAP benefits. Read the information below to see if the new work requirement rules apply to you, how to comply, more information about exemptions and barriers, and other questions.

What are the new SNAP ABAWD work requirements?

• Under federal law, childless adults aged 18-64 may only receive SNAP for 3 months in a 3-year period unless they meet a stringent work requirement.

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that passed in July of 2025 included cuts to SNAP as well as expanded work requirements.
• The work requirements were waived during the Covid-19 pandemic as many SNAP recipients lost their employment or could not work.
• Starting March 1, 2026, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–64 must document 80 hours/month of work, education, or volunteering to maintain SNAP benefits.

When do the new SNAP work requirements go into effect?

Starting March 1, 2026, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–64 must document 80 hours/month of work, education, or volunteering to maintain SNAP benefits.

How will I know if I’m subject to ABAWD rules?

NYC’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) will send a Work Activity Letter Notice outlining the work requirements to recertifying recipients/applicants that they have deemed ABAWD.

Individuals who are not meeting work requirements will have an appointment scheduled with HRA to assist recipients/applicants find qualifying work activities.

HRA began sending these notices to existing SNAP recipients on October 20, 2025.

I received a Work Activity notice from HRA. What do I do?

NYC’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) is sending an “Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD)Work Activity Letter” outlining the work requirements to recertifying recipients/applicants that they have deemed ABAWD. The letter will also include details for appointments with HRA meant to help individuals meet work activity requirements.

Qualifying recipients/applicants must follow instructions in the letter. If you believe you are meeting the work requirements or qualify for exemptions inform HRA according to the instructions in the letter.

Are there any other notices I might receive?

Yes, you may receive a “ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWD) WORK REQUIREMENTS COUNTABLE MONTH” notice. Individuals cannot receive SNAP without meeting work requirements for more than 3 months in a 36 month period. The first month you receive SNAP benefits without complying with work requirements is the “first countable month.”

This notice will inform an ABAWD individual that they have received SNAP benefits in a countable month without meeting work requirements. For every countable month, recipients are notified each time they fail to meet requirements, with instructions on how to avoid benefit loss and how to claim exemptions.

Another notice you may receive is “IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SNAP WORK RULES (GENERAL, MANDATORY E&T, AND ABAWD)” advising households about who is deemed ABAWD and the work rules they must follow to maintain SNAP benefits. The notice will include information about employment and training (E&T) programs that ABAWD individuals gain skills find qualifying work activities.

What counts toward the 80-hour monthly requirement?

• Paid or in-kind work
• HRA approved work/training programs
• Veteran employment programs
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs
• Community service or work experience approved by HRA

How do I report work/qualifying work activities/income to HRA?

• Using SNAP Case Change feature in ACCESS HRA to add job and pay information to case
• Submit proof using ACCESS HRA mobile app or NYC HRA Document Upload App
• If within recertification period or due to submit periodic report, report it at that time.
• Visit HRA SNAP Center

Are there any exemptions to the work requirements?

• Being medically certified as unfit for employment because of physical or mental health reason
• Being pregnant
• Being responsible for a child under 14
• Already meeting general SNAP work requirements

• Receiving disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Veterans Affairs or New York State disability benefits
• If you are an Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, or other Indian eligible for the Indian Health Services, or
• You are excused from the General SNAP Work Rules because you are:
  • 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 per week
  • Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week
  • An SSI applicant or recipient.

What should I do if I have a medical or mental barrier to work?

• Complete the Medical Statement Form with your medical provider.
• Return the completed form to HRA via:
  • ACCESS HRA mobile app or NYC HRA Document Upload App
  •  Mail to P.O. Box 29008, Brooklyn, NY 11202
  •  Fax to 917-639-2544
  • Drop off at an HRA SNAP Center

What if you have a good reason for not following these ABAWD work rules?

You may receive SNAP benefits beyond the 3-month time limit if you have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or you show that you should be excused from following the ABAWD work rules because you meet one or more of the conditions to be excused.

Good cause reasons for not following the rules include issues that a person cannot control, such as getting sick or having a household emergency. These are other circumstances that qualify as well.

If you claim to have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or believe you should be excused from following the rules, you must provide proof if HRA asks. If you believe that you have a good cause reason for not meeting the ABAWD rules, you should call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) to provide proof.

What happens if I don’t meet the ABAWD requirements?

• If you fail to meet the requirements for 3 months in a 36-month period, you may lose your SNAP benefits.
• March 2025 is the first month SNAP recipients deemed ABAWD must comply with requirements.
• June 2026 is the first month that SNAP benefits may be impacted for non-compliance. 

If you lose your SNAP benefits, how can you get them back?

If you lose your SNAP benefits, because you did not meet the ABAWD work rules, you should call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669). HRA will explain what you need to do to start getting SNAP benefits again. HRA must offer you help in meeting the ABAWD work rules to start receiving SNAP benefits again.

I am a noncitizen. Am I still eligible for SNAP benefits? 

As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July of 2025, there are new immigration status eligibility requirements for SNAP. Read more here.

Who can I contact with questions?

• Call 718-SNAPNOW (718-762-7669) or visit NYC HRA ABAWD Info Page

For free legal help, call Legal Services NYC at 917-661-4500 Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more about our intake process here.

* The information does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter. Legal help subject to capacity and location.