NYC SNAP ABAWD work rules

If these rules apply to you, you have to start meeting the work requirements, find an alternative (such as volunteering or attending job training), or apply for an exemption, and report your hours to HRA. If you don't  meet the requirements for three months, you'll stop receiving SNAP payments.

There are several ways you can complete the required hours of activities each month. These include:

• Work (paid or unpaid)
  
• Participating in education and training programs
• Volunteering
• Searching for jobs

1. Work (paid job)

You can:

• Work 20 hours per week, or
• Earn at least $217.50 per week

Work can include paid work or unpaid work, such as cleaning to reduce your rent.

2. Job training or education

You can enroll in an approved education or training program for at least 20 hours per week.

Examples include:

• Workforce training
• Job readiness programs
• Skills-building courses

Note: You must enroll in an approved program and attend regularly. Go to your assigned PACE appointment to get help finding education and training programs.

3. Volunteer (community service)

You can volunteer with an approved organization.

Your required hours depend on your SNAP benefit amount. You will need to divide the total SNAP benefit amount by the minimum wage to know how many hours you must volunteer.

Example:

• $300 monthly SNAP ÷ $17.00 (NYC minimum wage)
• = 18 hours per month

You must:

• Volunteer with an approved organization
• Track and report your hours

If you're already working at least 20 hours per week but haven't told HRA yet, report it as soon as possible and include proof of your income, like pay stubs. The easiest way to do this is by filing a case change request through ACCESS HRA.

If you have a medical reason that you cannot work, see the next section on "New Yorkers with disabilities" for information on how to submit for the disability exemption.

If you are not working and the ABAWD rules apply to you, you must take steps each month to keep your SNAP benefits.

You may need to do one or more of the following:

1. Attend scheduled appointments

Check your mailbox and ACCESS HRA e-notices for any assignments or appointments. Be sure to respond to any outreach from HRA and attend all scheduled appointments.

You may be asked to meet with an HRA career services provider (also known as a PACE provider), either:

• In person, or
  
• By phone or video

They will help you find work and may report your participation for you.

2. Participate in a work or training program

Your PACE provider may assign you to an education or training program that you can attend to meet your required hours. 

3. Accept a job if you are offered one

If you receive a job offer, you must accept it unless you have a good reason not to (for example, a health or safety issue).

4. Find a volunteer opportunity

You may be able to fulfill your work hours by volunteering. Your assigned PACE provider can help you find an approved volunteer opportunity. 

If you volunteer on your own, you can have a supervisor approve your hours using this form. Submit your form using the document upload feature of the ACCESS HRA app. 

The form to submit for volunteering is available here (PDF).

To find this form in other languages, visit this page. 

If you can't work due to a physical or mental health condition, ask a health care provider to fill out a Medical Statement form. You can submit it through ACCESS HRA, or mail, fax, or drop it off at a SNAP Center.

Download the Medical Statement Form (PDF)

To find this form in other languages, visit this page. 

A doctor, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, social worker, substance use counselor, mental health counselor, osteopath, or certified midwife can complete this form.

Submit the form using the document upload feature in the ACCESS HRA app.

Or send it by:

• Fax: 917-639-2544
• Mail: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, P.O. Box 29008, Brooklyn, NY 11202

Make sure your name and case number are on every page.

You may need to follow these work requirements if you:

• Are age 18–64
• Do not live with a child under 14
• Do not have an approved exemption

If you are already on SNAP, you should have received a letter and an ACCESS HRA e-notice telling you if you are an ABAWD.

ABAWD stands for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.

These are SNAP recipients who:

• Are age 18–64
• Do not live with a child under 14
• Are not exempt due to disability or other reasons

People in this group must meet extra work requirements to keep their SNAP benefits.

• Work requirements started on March 1, 2026
• If you do not meet the requirements, your benefits could be reduced starting in June 2026

To avoid losing benefits, start reporting your hours or apply for an exemption as soon as possible.

You may be exempt if you:

• Have a physical or mental health condition that prevents you from working
• Are pregnant
• Live with a child under 14
• Are in substance use treatment
• Are caring for a child under 6 or an incapacitated person
• Receive SSI, SSD, VA disability, or similar benefits

If any of these apply to you, you can apply for an exemption with HRA.

You may still be able to get an exemption if you have barriers that make it hard to work or complete program requirements.

For example, if you:

• Have physical or mental health limitations
• Have trouble filling out forms
• Do not have a stable address
• Have hygiene or access challenges
• Have difficulty being contacted

If any of these apply to you, you can apply for an exemption with HRA. Call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) to speak with an interviewer who can help determine if you should be exempt.

You must complete at least 80 hours per month of:

• Paid or unpaid work, or
• Job training, or
• Education programs, or
• Community service 

You must also report your hours to HRA. The easiest way to do this is to work with your assigned PACE provider.

No. You can have up to 3 months of noncompliance within a 36-month period.

• After 3 months, SNAP benefits may stop.
• For example, if noncompliance months are March–May 2026, benefits could be reduced in June 2026.

You should receive a Work Activity Letter and a scheduled PACE appointment.

The notice, available in your ACCESS HRA account, explains who in the household must comply, what is required, and where and when to report. You may also receive a letter in the mail.

If you aren't sure if you need to comply, call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) or visit a SNAP center for help.

It is a required appointment that connects SNAP recipients to work or training activities and helps assign approved activities to meet requirements. Missing this appointment can lead to noncompliance and will impact your benefits.

This notice means HRA thinks you need to meet work requirements. You should:

• Go to your appointment.
• Bring proof if you are working, have a medical issue, or think you are exempt.
• Call SNAP at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) if the notice seems wrong.

You should:

• Call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) or visit a SNAP center for help
• Bring documents to your PACE appointment.
• Submit a Medical Statement Form if needed.

During application, recertification, or case changes.

You are most at risk if you:

• Miss your PACE appointment
• Do not submit exemption documentation
• Do not realize these rules apply to you

Some federal changes affect refugee/asylee eligibility, but NYC is not currently implementing all changes, and a lawsuit is ongoing.

No changes are currently in effect. For questions, call the MOIA Hotline: 1-800-354-0365 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm)