12.4 Exemptions to General Work Requirements.

Only the following individuals are exempt from the general work requirements: A. An individual younger than 16 years of age or an individual 60 years of age or older. 1. A person 16 to 17 will also be exempt if he or she is: a) Not the head of household; b) Attending school; or c) Enrolled in a SNAP E&T program on at least a half-time basis. 2. If an individual’s 16th birthday falls within a certification period, then that individual must fulfill the work registration requirement as part of the next scheduled recertification process unless the individual qualifies for another exemption. 3. Individuals aged 60 or older remain exempt from the general work requirements, and are prohibited from being required to participate in mandatory E&T. B. An individual mentally or physically unfit for employment. 1. MDHS will determine such physical and mental fitness. 2. Such determination must be comparable with the TWP. C. An individual subject to and complying with any work requirements under Title IV of the Social Security Act, including the TWP. D. A parent or other household member who is responsible for the care of a dependent child under 6 years old or an incapacitated person. If the child has his or her 6th birthday within a certification period, then the parent or other household member responsible for the care of such child must fulfill the work registration requirement as part of the next scheduled recertification process unless the individual qualifies for another exemption. E. A regular participant in a drug or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation center. F. A person receiving unemployment compensation. 1. A person who has applied for, but not received, unemployment compensation is also exempt if such person is complying with the work requirements that are part of the Federal-State unemployment compensation application process. 2. If the exemption is questionable, MDHS will be responsible for verifying the exemption. G. A person who is employed or self-employed and working a minimum of 30 hours weekly or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours. This includes migrant and seasonal farm workers who are under a contract to begin work within 30 days. H. A student enrolled at least half-time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education. 1. The exemption will remain as long as the student is enrolled as defined in Rule 10.3 Enrollment Status. 2. The student will remain exempt during normal class attendance and during vacations and recesses. 3. If the student graduates, enrolls less than half-time, is suspended or expelled, drops out, or does not intend to register for the next normal school term (excluding summer), MDHS must register the individual for work requirements unless the individual qualifies for another exemption. Source: 7 CFR §273.7(b) Revised: December 2025