How to meet the food stamps or SNAP work requirements? When I lived in Atlanta years ago, I was required to meet the SNAP work rule. The State of Georgia called this the “employment and training program” in order to continue my SNAP benefits. To suffice, I worked and attended school no more than 20 hours a week. I was good.

SNAP Work Requirements: Two Work Rules?

But It’s important to know that SNAP has two different sets of work rules. It’s important to know that SNAP has two different sets of work rules. One set is the General Work Requirements. The other is a specific rule for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). The activities that count, school for example, are treated differently depending on which rule applies to you.

SNAP Work Requirements: How To Meet Them

Here is a breakdown of the primary ways to meet these requirements.

1. Volunteering

Yes, volunteering is a valid way to meet the SNAP work requirement, particularly for those subject to the ABAWD rules.

• What it is: You can volunteer at a qualifying non-profit organization, such as a food pantry, library, hospital, or community center.
• How it works: To satisfy the ABAWD requirement, you must volunteer for a total of 80 hours per month (which averages to about 20 hours per week).
• Key Point: This is often the most direct way for an ABAWD who is not employed to continue receiving benefits beyond the 3-month time limit. You will need to document your hours and provide proof to your state’s SNAP agency.

2. Going to School or Training

This is a more complex category, as “going to school” can either exempt you from the rules or count as an activity, depending on your situation.

As an Exemption from General Requirements

If you are enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, college, or training program, you are typically considered exempt from the general work requirements (which include registering for work and accepting a job offer).

For the ABAWD Requirement

For Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), just being a student is not enough. However, school or training can count in specific ways:

• SNAP Employment & Training (E&T): If you participate in an approved SNAP E&T program, the hours spent in that program (which could include classroom time, job training, or other activities) count toward your 80-hour monthly requirement.
• Other Approved Programs: Participation in other federal, state, or local work programs can also count. This might include vocational training or specific job-readiness programs.
• Meeting Student Eligibility Rules: Students in higher education (like college) are often ineligible for SNAP unless they meet a special exemption. If you are a student enrolled at least half-time and meet one of these exemptions, you are not subject to the ABAWD time limit. Common exemptions include:
  • Working a paid job for at least 20 hours per week.
  • Participating in a state or federally financed work-study program.
  • Caring for a young child.
  • Being enrolled in a program through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

3. Other Ways to Meet the Requirements

Besides volunteering and specific school programs, here are other common ways to meet the 80-hour-per-month ABAWD work requirement:

• Paid Work: Working in a paid job for at least 80 hours a month.
• Unpaid Work: This includes internships or other “work-for-goods-or-services” arrangements.
• Workfare: Participating in a state’s specific workfare program, where you work for a set number of hours in exchange for your benefits.
• Combination: You can combine activities. For example, you could work a paid job for 40 hours a month and volunteer for 40 hours a month to reach the 80-hour total.

Important Note: These rules are set at the federal level, but states have flexibility in how they apply them. It is crucial to contact your local SNAP office (in your case, the Illinois Department of Human Services) to confirm which activities are approved in your area and how you must report your hours.