SNAP Requirements FAQs

It requires able-bodied adults to work, participate in a work activity, or meet an exemption to be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Unless an exemption is met, individuals are limited to receiving three months of SNAP benefits during a three-year period.

A federal law signed on July 4, 2025, changed some SNAP work requirement rules.

Key changes include:

1. The age limit has been raised from 55 to 65 years old. If the customer is between 55 and 64 years old, they may now be required to meet SNAP work requirements.

2. The age of dependent children that gives the customer an exemption from work requirements has been lowered from 18 to 13 years old. If they have a dependent child who is age 14 or older, they may no longer be exempt from SNAP work requirements.

3. Local departments of social services are no longer able to issue SNAP eligibility waivers based on the availability of jobs in the area.

• If a customer is impacted by this change, they should have received The SNAP Work Requirement Consolidated Information Notice via mail. This notice:
  • Explains the work requirement, time-limited benefits and how to regain eligibility.
  • Includes a list of work requirement exemptions.
  • Includes instructions for the customer to select all applicable exemptions and return the notice to their local department of social services for evaluation.

4. Effective November 1, 2025, there are no longer work requirement exemptions for:

• People experiencing homelessness.
• United States veterans.
• Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who have transitioned out of foster care.

You may be exempt if you are:

• Age 17 or younger
• 65 or older
• Permanently disabled
• Temporarily unable to work due to a medical condition
• Pregnant
• Living in a household with a child under age 14
• Caring for someone who is sick or disabled
• Working 20 hours or more per week
• Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits
• Taking part in a work program such as WIOA, VIEW or Trade Adjustment Assistance
• Volunteering with a school, hospital or similar organization
• Working in exchange for rent or another benefit
• Enrolled at least half-time in school or training
• Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program

Contact your local department of social services and report the change to your Benefit Programs Specialist.

When applying for or renewing SNAP, you must now provide proof of certain expenses.

These include:

• Dependent care
• Shelter expenses
• Medical expenses

Before, you could explain these expenses verbally.
Now, you must provide a document that shows the expense.

Examples of acceptable proof

(These are examples only. Your local office may accept others.)

These rules apply to:

• New applications
• Interim reports
• Recertifications

You will have at least 10 days to submit documents.
You will receive a Verification Checklist explaining what is needed.

You will receive a Request for Action for Interim Reports.

If you report a new address, you must also provide proof of shelter costs to receive the shelter deduction.