SNAP work rules "time limit" reset Jan. 1, 2026
Some SNAP recipients need to meet work requirements. If they do not meet work requirements, they may only be eligible for three months of benefits in a statewide fixed 36-month eligibility period. SNAP recipients who need to follow these work rules are called “time-limited recipients”.
The statewide fixed 36-month eligibility period reset on Jan. 1, 2026. This means Minnesota SNAP recipients who need to follow the time-limited work rules will be eligible for three months of benefits from Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2028.
To qualify for more than three months of benefits in the 36-month eligibility period, time-limited recipients must meet the work requirement or verify an exemption with their eligibility worker.
Who needs to follow the time-limited work rules?
Generally, you have to follow the time-limited work rules if you:
- Are 18-64 years old
- Do not live with a dependent/child under age 14
- Do not have a mental or physical health condition stopping you from working.
I didn't need to follow work rules before, why do I need to now?
A new federal law (H.R.1, signed July 4, 2025) made major policy changes to SNAP, including expanding time-limited work rules to an additional 27,000 Minnesotans.
Learn more about the expansion of SNAP work rules
Do I need to re-apply?
If you are currently receiving SNAP, you don't need to re-apply to be eligible in the new 36-month eligibility period.
If you are not currently receiving SNAP, but may be eligible again due to the new 36-month eligibility period, you will need to re-apply to confirm your eligibility.
How to meet the work requirement
Spend at least 80 hours each month doing one or a combination of the following activities:
- Working
- Taking part in a job training or work program
- Volunteering.
Each month you meet the work requirement, you earn an additional month of SNAP eligibility. Call your eligibility worker if you are already meeting or start to meet one of these requirements.
Exemptions from the work rules
If you meet an exemption, you don't have to meet the work requirement to be eligible for SNAP. Exemptions from the work rules include:
- You are a caretaker for a person who cannot care for themselves
- You are a caretaker for a dependent child under age 6
- You are living with a child who is under age 14 who is part of the same SNAP household
- You are physically or mentally unable to work
- You are an American Indian/Alaskan Native, Urban Indian or California Indian as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
- You are pregnant
- You are receiving or have applied for unemployment compensation
- You are taking part in an alcohol or other drug abuse treatment or rehabilitation program
- You are enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school or institution of higher learning
- You are participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program or Diversionary Work Program and in compliance with employment service requirements
- You are working 30 or more hours per week or are earning weekly wages of $217.50 or more
- You have certain barriers to obtaining or retaining employment such as experiencing homelessness or domestic violence
If you meet one of the exemptions listed above, contact your county or Tribal Nation eligibility worker to report the exemption and find out what kind of verification is needed.
SNAP Employment and Training
SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) is a program that can help people receiving SNAP with their careers, employment and education goals. Trained coaches from the program can create a plan based on your needs and goals so you can:
- Find a good job
- Find free training for in-demand jobs
- Get financial support for transportation, clothing, fees, tuition, equipment, bills and emergency needs.
SNAP recipients interested in participating in SNAP E&T can talk with their eligibility worker about getting a referral to the program or visit dcyf.mn.gov/snap-employment-and-training to learn more.
What happens if you don’t follow the time-limited work rules?
If you have not met the work requirements or verify an exemption for three full months that you receive SNAP benefits, you will lose your benefits until the next 36-month period (January 2029).
If you lose your SNAP benefits, you can re-apply if you start to meet the work requirement or meet one of the exemptions.