The General Work Requirements

If you are age 16–59 and able to work, you will probably need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits. The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) or workfare if assigned by your state SNAP agency, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.

You are excused from the general work requirements if you are any one of these things:

Already working at least 30 hours a week (or earning wages at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours);

Meeting work requirements for another program (TANF or unemployment compensation);

Taking care of a child under six or an incapacitated person;

Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation;

Participating regularly in an alcohol or drug treatment program;

Studying in school or a training program at least half-time (but college students are subject to other eligibility rules).

If you have to meet the general work requirements but you don’t, you are disqualified from getting SNAP for at least a month and must start meeting the requirements to get SNAP again. If you get back on SNAP and then don’t meet the requirements again, then you are disqualified for longer than a month and you could be disqualified forever.