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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Time-Limited Work Rules

Intro

Some SNAP recipients are limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month (3-year) period, unless they meet work requirements.

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Some SNAP recipients are limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month (3-year) period, unless they meet work requirements (see below). SNAP's current 36-month period is from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025.

SNAP recipients may have to follow time-limited work rules if they:

  • Are 18 - 52 years old
  • Do not have a mental or physical health condition stopping them from working; and
  • Do not live with a dependent/child under age 18

SNAP recipients may be EXEMPT from the time-limited work rules if they are:

  • Pregnant
  • Experiencing homelessness
  • Not working because of a physical or mental health condition
  • Age 24 or younger and were in foster care on your 18th birthday
  • Served in the U.S. Military regardless of your discharge status
  • Getting unemployment benefits, or you applied for unemployment benefits
  • Going to school, college, or training program at least 20 hours per week
  • Taking part in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program
  • Taking care of someone who is disabled or ill
  • Earning $217.50 or more per week already.

Call your county or Tribal Nation eligibility worker if you think you're exempt from the time-limited work rules. If they confirm that you are exempt, you will not have to follow the time-limited work rules.

If the county or Tribal Nation human services office cannot verify your exemption, they will ask you for verification. 

How to follow the work rules

Spend at least 80 hours each month doing one or a combination of the following work activities:

  • Working
  • Taking part in a job training or work program or
  • Volunteering

Find an approved training program through the SNAP Employment and Training program. Use the provider map to find organizations that offer qualifying education and training activities. 

What happens if work rules aren't followed?

If you choose to try and meet the work requirements, you can gain additional months by following the work rules. If you fail to meet the work requirements for any three months, you will not be eligible for SNAP for the rest of the 36-month period unless you start meeting the work requirement or become exempt from the rules.

Waived areas

Certain areas of Minnesota are exempt from the time-limited work rules. Areas are exempt if they have unemployment rates of over 10 percent, or there are not enough jobs for the individuals living there. You are exempt from the time-limited work rules if you live in a waived area.