Alliance Alert: New federal work requirements for SNAP benefits are now in effect and may significantly impact individuals who rely on food assistance to maintain stability and meet basic needs. The updated rules require many Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) to document work, volunteer activity, or participation in job training programs in order to continue receiving SNAP benefits beyond a three-month period.

For many people living with mental health or substance use challenges, changes to food assistance policies can have serious consequences. Access to basic needs like food is a critical foundation for recovery and stability. When individuals lose access to food assistance due to new administrative requirements or barriers to meeting work thresholds, it can increase the risk of crisis, hospitalization, homelessness, and disengagement from services.

Service providers and advocates play an important role in helping individuals understand these new requirements, identify possible exemptions, and navigate the documentation process needed to maintain benefits. Individuals whose physical or mental health conditions limit their ability to meet work requirements may qualify for exemptions, and healthcare professionals can assist by completing the necessary certification forms.

Understanding policy changes like these and their impact on New Yorkers will be an important focus of the Alliance’s upcoming Executive Seminar. The event will feature policy workshops designed to help nonprofit and provider leaders stay informed and engaged. One workshop will be led by staff from the New York State Office of Mental Health, who will provide updates on recent state policy changes, budget provisions, and initiatives to strengthen mental health services across New York. A second workshop led by Alliance staff will focus on advocacy priorities and national policy shifts, including federal changes that may affect access to services, housing, and basic supports for New Yorkers.

By staying informed and engaged, advocates and providers can help ensure that policy decisions support recovery, protect access to essential services, and strengthen the systems people rely on to remain healthy and stable in their communities.

New federal work requirements may begin impacting service recipients who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for food benefits. ALL Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must now meet certain work requirements to continue receiving this assistance for more than three months in the 3-year period. An ABAWDis defined as someone who is between 18 and 64 years old who is able to work and doesn’t have any children under 14 years of age in their household. 

The changes mean ABAWDs are now required to work, volunteer, or participate in job search or training to get SNAP benefits for more than three months. In some cases, the volunteer-hour obligation for SNAP eligibility could be less than the work-hour obligation needed to meet these new SNAP requirements. See below for further information.

Volunteer Hour Requirements
The number of volunteer hours an ABAWD must do per month depends on their monthly SNAP benefit amount and the local minimum wage. For example, if they get $160 per month in SNAP and live outside New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County where the minimum wage is $16, then they must do 10 hours of volunteering or Work Experience Program each month.

Work Requirements for SNAP Eligibility

• Paid or Unpaid Work Hour Requirements: 20 hours per week (80 hours per month).
• Having a job where they work at least 20 hours per week or earn at least $217.50 per week, even if they work less than 20 hours.
• Doing in-kind work by exchanging services for something other than money for at least 80 hours per month (for example, doing building maintenance in exchange for a reduction in rent).

There ARE exemptions from these requirements, including for individuals who are prevented from working due to physical or mental health reasons. Likewise, individuals receiving disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Veterans Affairs or New York State disability benefits, are exempt from these new work requirements. There are also several ways service providers can help individuals in navigating these changes:  

• Talk to them about the new ABAWD requirements and what they need to do to maintain their food benefits. 
• Ensure their address is up to date with their local social services department and encourage them to check their mail regularly. 
• Urge them to bring any mail or other correspondence related to benefits to their next appointment for review. 
• Become familiar with exemption criteria. Qualified healthcare professionals –doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed or certified psychologists, and social workers – can sign the ABAWD Medical Statement Form to certify that a physical or mental condition limits an individual’s ability to work 20 or more hours each week.

This fact sheet describes the ABAWD rules in detail, including individuals who may qualify for an exemption. If you think someone should be excused from the ABAWD rules, you may help them in contacting their local social services department as soon as possible.