Congress suspended these rules because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the COVID-19 Federal public health emergency has ended, and the Time Limit Rules are back in effect. DHS resumed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Time Limit Rules on July 1, 2023.

SNAP recipients ages 18 through 64 who do not have responsibility for a child under the age of 14 living in their home, and who are considered physically and mentally able to work must follow the Time Limit Rules. This is often called the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement or the Requirement to Work.

SNAP recipients in these categories can only get SNAP benefits for 3 months in 3 years unless they meet the Time Limit Rules or meet an exemption from the Requirement to Work.

What do SNAP recipients need to do?

SNAP recipients ages 18 through 64 who do have responsibility for a child under the age of 14 living in their home, and who are considered physically and mentally able to work must follow these Time Limit Rules to keep your SNAP benefits:

• Spend at least 80 hours each month doing one or more of the following activities:
  • Working
  • Volunteering
  • Participating in the SNAP Employment and Training Program (E&T), or
  • Participating in an employment and training program other than E&T

OR

• Participate in workfare for the number of hours assigned each month.

SNAP recipients who qualify for this program should tell DHS if they are already doing one of these things, or if they begin doing one of these things. They can do so by calling their local county office.

If work hours drop below 80 hours a month, the recipient will need to call a local county office within 10 days. The recipient may need to provide paystubs or a letter from an employer.

Does everyone need to meet these Time Limit Rules?

SNAP recipients may not have to follow any of these Time Limit Rules if they are:

• Younger than age 18, or age 65 or older,
• Have responsibility for a dependent child under age 14 who resides in the SNAP household.
• Not working because of a physical or mental health reason
• Pregnant
• Taking care of a child younger than age 6 or someone who needs help caring for themselves
• Already working at least 30 hours a week OR,
• already earning $217.50 or more per week,
• Getting unemployment benefits, or have applied for unemployment benefits,
• Going to school, college, or training program at least half time,
• Meeting the work rules for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF))/Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA)
• Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program.

What should a recipient do if they think one of these exemptions applies to them?

Call their local county office as soon as possible. If DHS finds that the exemption applies, they will not need to follow these Time Limit Rules.

What happens if a recipient does not follow these Time Limit Rules and does not meet an exemption?

DHS will count each full month that they receive SNAP benefits but do not meet these Time Limit Rules without a good reason. Once DHS has counted 3 full months, the recipient will lose their benefits until they begin complying with the program rules or become exempt.

What should a recipient do if they have a good reason for not following these Time Limit Rules?

Call their local county office as soon as possible. Good reasons include issues they can’t control such as getting sick or not having transportation. These are some examples of good reasons, but there are others, too. If DHS determines that the recipient has a good reason, there will be no change to their SNAP benefits.

How can a recipient regain eligibility once they’ve exhausted their 3 months of SNAP benefits in the 3-year period?

An ABAWD who has exhausted their 3 months of SNAP benefits during the current 3-year time period but is no longer meeting the Time Limit Rules can regain eligibility for SNAP benefits for an additional 3 months one time during the same 3-year period by working 80 hours in 30 consecutive days. The additional 3 months of SNAP benefits will be used consecutively, meaning if a recipient’s SNAP case closes before the full 3 months can be issued, they will not be eligible for the unused months.