SNAP Work Requirement Self-Check: Do the New Age 18–64 Rules Apply to You?
OBBBA expanded SNAP's work rules in three ways: the ABAWD age range rose from 18–54 to 18–64, the parent exemption narrowed to children under 14, and the exemptions for veterans, homelessness, and former foster youth were removed. Answer 10 questions to see where you stand — and what to document.
Are you between 18 and 64 years old?
OBBBA raised the top age from 54 to 64 — adults aged 55–64 are now inside the ABAWD work rules for the first time.
The new ABAWD rules at a glance
| Rule | What it means | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Age range | ABAWD rules now cover adults 18–64 (raised from 18–54) — adults 55–64 are inside the work rules for the first time | OBBBA; state rollout timing varies through 2025–2026 |
| Work requirement | 80 hours/month of work or qualifying activity (roughly 20 hours a week) | Non-exempt ABAWDs, ongoing |
| Time limit | 3 months of SNAP benefits within a 36-month period when the work requirement is not met | When the 80-hour rule isn't met |
| Parent exemption | Covers households with a child under 14 only (narrowed from under 18) — households with teens 14–17 lost this exemption | OBBBA; check how your state counts household membership |
OBBBA also removed the ABAWD exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth — those groups now need another exemption or the 80-hour rule.
Frequently asked questions
Did SNAP work requirements really change to age 64?
Yes. OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025) expanded the ABAWD age range from 18–54 to 18–64. Adults aged 55–64 without dependents must now document 80 hours per month of work or qualifying activity, or face the 3-months-in-36 time limit. State rollout timing varies — check with your state SNAP agency.
I have a 15-year-old. Am I still exempt?
Not under this category anymore. OBBBA narrowed the parent exemption from households with a child under 18 to those with a child under 14. You may still qualify under another exemption (unfit for work, caregiving for an incapacitated person, etc.) or satisfy the requirement through 80 hours/month of activity.
Are veterans still exempt from SNAP work rules?
No. OBBBA removed the ABAWD exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth. If you are in one of these groups and aged 18–64, you now need either 80 hours/month of qualifying activity or another exemption (for example, unfit for work — many veterans qualify through this category with VA documentation).
What happens if I don't meet the requirement?
Non-exempt ABAWDs who don't meet the 80-hour rule can receive SNAP for only 3 months within a 36-month period. After those 3 months, benefits stop until you re-qualify by meeting the work requirement or gaining an exemption. Respond to every state notice — procedural losses are common and preventable.