Skip to main content

SNAP Work Requirement Policy Resources

We are in the process of providing guidance on how The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changes the work requirements for SNAP able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). This includes changes to the ABAWD exception criteria and ABAWD waiver criteria. We will update this page once the guidance is released.

 

ABAWD Policy Resources

Here are some resources to find out more about SNAP ABAWDs and related information.

ABAWD Waivers

As required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, we are providing available ABAWD waiver materials from FY 1997-2024 to the public to increase waiver transparency. Documents prior to FY 2013 may only be available in part.

ABAWD Discretionary Exemptions

Federal law provides that each state SNAP agency be allotted a number of exemptions equal to 8% of the state's caseload that is ineligible for program benefits because of the ABAWD time limit. Prior to FY 2020, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 allocated exemptions equal to 15% of the state's caseload that is ineligible for program benefits because of the ABAWD time limit. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 reduced the allocation to 12% for FY 2020 and each subsequent fiscal year. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 reduced the allocation to 8% for FY 2024 and each subsequent fiscal year. Moving forward, the Department will refer to these exemptions as discretionary exemptions.

These exemptions allow the state agency, at its discretion, to extend SNAP eligibility to a limited number of ABAWDs subject to the time limit. Each discretionary exemption extends eligibility to one ABAWD for one month. As per federal law, we calculate and issues state agencies with a new allotment for each federal fiscal year. State agencies do not earn new discretionary exemptions based on areas that are covered by ABAWD time limit waivers in the preceding fiscal year.

Page updated: December 23, 2025