Changes to Able-Bodied Adult Work Requirements for SNAP – FAQs

General Background about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):

SNAP provides assistance to purchase food for low-income households. An estimated 83,000 households (=163,994 people) currently receive SNAP in Hawai‘i.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, also known as H.R. 1) that was signed into law on July 4, 2025, makes a number of changes to requirements for SNAP.

Two key changes related to OBBBA relate to:

Work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults; and Changes to non-citizen eligibility for SNAP.

Able-Bodied Work Requirement Changes

One key change resulting from OBBBA relates to work-requirements for Able-Bodied Adults.

The specific changes to work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults (formerly referred to as ABAWD, or Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) are: The age range will change from 18-54 to 18-64. Households with dependent children aged 14 and older also will now be subject to work requirements for Abled-Bodied Adults. Individuals who are homeless, veterans, or youth aged 18-24 transitioning out of foster care now be subject to these work requirements.

The changes regarding work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults will potentially impact: An estimated 16,000 individuals aged 55-64. An estimated 10,000 households with a dependent child aged 14 or older.

SNAP household members should be prepared to answer questions regarding these new requirements at their initial application or recertification interview.

What does the term ABAWD or Able-Bodied Adults refer to? The term ABAWD refers to Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. With recent changes to the law, this group may also be referred to as Able-Bodied Adults. This group does not include individuals who are pregnant, who have a physical or mental disability, individuals receiving disability benefits, or who are participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

What are the work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults (formerly referred to as ABAWD work requirements)? Able Bodied Adults must either meet work requirements on their own, meet an eligible exemption, or participate in a work program for at least 80 hours in a month (an average of 20 hours per week) to continue receiving SNAP for more than three months.

Here are some examples of activities that may meet work requirements:

Volunteer activity with a governmental or nonprofit organization (e.g., a food pantry or a homeless shelter, etc.);

Paid employment, including self-employment;

Participation in a job training program, such as the SNAP Employment and Training program or the American Job Centers; and

An internship (Paid or unpaid).

Please note that volunteer work at a private for-profit company is not allowable.

For more detailed information, or if you have questions about scenarios not listed above, please call 1-855-643-1643 and ask to speak with an Eligibility Worker.

What if an Able-Bodied Adult household member does not meet work requirements? If an Able Bodied Adult household member does not meet work requirements, or is not exempt from the work requirements, the household member will be limited to three months of SNAP and be unable to reapply for SNAP for 36 months (three years), or until Able-Bodied Adult work requirements are met.

What changes does the OBBBA make regarding Able-Bodied Adult work requirements for SNAP? The OBBBA expands the population subject to Able-Bodied Adult work requirements to include adults 18 through 64. Previously, the age requirement for Able-Bodied Adults was 18-54. In addition, OBBBA requires that household members receiving SNAP who reside in a household that has a dependent child aged 14 and older, will now be subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements. Individuals who are homeless, veterans, or youth aged 18-24 transitioning from foster care, also will no longer be exempt from Able-Bodied Adult work requirements.

Who is not subject to Able-Bodied Adult work requirements? Those who are not subject to Able-Bodied Adult work requirements include:

individuals who are pregnant;

individuals with a medically confirmed physical or mental disability;

individuals who are caretakers for an incapacitated individual;

individuals in a school, college, or other training program at least half-time;

individuals receiving disability benefits;

individuals applying for unemployment benefits; and

individuals participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

Why are the changes to Able-Bodied Adult work requirements important? The changes will impact numerous individuals who have not previously been subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements. The state Department of Human Services estimates that 16,000 individuals aged 55-64 and 10,000 households with a dependent child aged 14 or older will be impacted by the changes. Additionally, individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, as well as youth aged 18-24 transitioning from foster care will be impacted. If a household member is subject to being classified as an Able-Bodied Adult and does not meet work requirements, the household member may only be eligible for SNAP for three months and may not be able to reapply for 36 months (three years), or until Able-Bodied Adult work requirements are met.

Are Native Hawaiians exempt from the new SNAP work requirements for Able-bodied adults? No, Native Hawaiians do not have an exception from work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults. The exception is limited to individuals that meet the definition of “Indian,” “Urban Indian” or “California Indian” under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). These definitions refer to federally recognized tribes within the United States, such as American Indians and Alaska Natives, and do not include Native Hawaiians.

What can a SNAP participant or household member do if they are concerned that they are not meeting Able-Bodied Adult work requirements or want to find out more information? SNAP participants may contact the Department of Human Services through its Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643, and ask for information about the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program. Here is more information:

SNAP E&T is a voluntary program that helps SNAP participants gain skills and find employment. It also assists households who need to comply with Able Bodied Adult work requirements.

A DHS Eligibility Worker will first screen if a SNAP E&T referral is appropriate and then refer a SNAP participant to SNAP E&T for services.

An Eligibility Worker can also answer any questions a SNAP participant may have regarding their SNAP eligibility.

How can I contact the SNAP E&T program directly?

Participants may contact one of the SNAP E&T providers listed below:

Goodwill Hawaii Industries Oahu: 808-792-8564 Maui: 808-442-8908

Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) Hilo: 808-981-4540 Kona: 808-327-4762 Kauai: 808-241-3673

Changes to SNAP Eligibility for Non-Citizens.

Effective November 1, 2025, only the following non-citizen households will be eligible for SNAP: Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) – Must also meet additional criteria for non-citizens receiving SNAP. Individuals present in the United States based on the Compact of Free Association (COFA) from the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or Republic of Palau. Cuban or Haitian entrants.

Immigration status for all non-citizens will be verified at the time of application or recertification, or when a member is added to a household for SNAP.

What categories of non-citizens will not be eligible for SNAP under the changes that go into effect on November 1?

The following non-citizen and qualified alien groups will no longer be eligible for SNAP as a result of the OBBBA changes after being assessed during their application, recertification, or when a household member is being added for SNAP:

Asylees, meaning a non-citizen who has been granted asylum while already in the United States or at a port of entry.

Amerasian immigrants, meaning immigrant children father by a U.S. citizen and born in Vietnam between January 1, 1962 and January 1, 1976.

Non-citizens that have been a victim of domestic abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and met specific criteria under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Conditional entrants, meaning foreign nationals who were granted entry to the U.S. before April 1, 1980, under the seventh preference category of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This entry status was used for refugees prior to the Refugee Act of 1980.

A non-citizen with a final determination for withheld deportation.

Hmong/Laotian tribe member who was a member of such a tribe when it assisted U.S. military personnel during the Vietnam era.

Individuals granted a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) to become a permanent resident because of their work for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, as well as certain Afghan and Iraqi nationals who were paroled into the U.S. under specific programs and have special immigrant status.

Parolees, meaning non-citizens granted temporary admission to the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons, including Ukrainian Parolees.

Refugees, meaning a non-citizen granted refugee status by the U.S. government.

What if a household includes an ineligible non-citizen, how will this impact the household’s SNAP benefits?

The ineligible non-citizen must still be reported as part of the household when applying or during recertification. The income of the ineligible non-citizen will be counted in full towards the household’s total income without any exclusions. The income will be treated as if it belongs to the eligible members when calculating the household’s eligibility and benefit amount.

General Resource Information.

What other resources are available for Hawai‘i families needing assistance with food? A number of other food-related resources are available for households needing assistance. Households may contact the following resources for food assistance:

DA BUX The DA BUX access card provides SNAP recipients with 50% discounts on select locally grown produce at grocery stores and participating food hubs.

WIC WIC (Women, Infants and Children program) provides healthy food at no cost to pregnant individuals, new moms, infants and kids under 5 who are struggling to afford food. Dads, grandparents and other caregivers can apply for WIC for children in their care. Working families and non-U.S. citizens can qualify, as well.

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals The free and reduced-price school meals program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to keiki each school day at public and participating charter schools at which they are enrolled.

SUN Bucks SUN Bucks helps families with children buy groceries during the summer. SUN Bucks is generally for school-aged children in households with incomes that would qualify them for free or reduced-price school meals.

SNAP Outreach Providers DHS contracts eight different nonprofits throughout the state to conduct outreach to households eligible for SNAP benefits and to provide assistance with referrals to food resources in the community.

Aloha United Way 2-1-1 Aloha United Way is a SNAP outreach provider that maintains a database that can provide referrals to other helpful food resources in your community. Statewide: 211

Hawai‘i Foodbank Hawaii Foodbank work together with its network of food partner agencies to serve the needs of the community on Oahu and Kauai. Oahu: 808-836-3600 Kauai: 808-482-2224

Hawaii Island Food Basket The Food Basket is Hawaii Island’s Food Bank. The website includes information on how to locate food resources, including food pantries and soup kitchens on Hawaii island. Hawaii Island: 808-933-6030

Maui Food Bank The mission of Maui Food Bank is to end hunger in Maui County. The Maui Food Bank distributes over 8 million pounds of food each year, including 2.3 million pounds of fresh produce. Maui: 808-243-9500