Oh SNAP! New Work Requirements

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, your SNAP benefits may stop.

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

• Work (paid or unpaid)
  
• Job training
  
• Volunteer service
  

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 or searching for jobs.

2. Job training or education

You can enroll in an approved program for:

• 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.

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

To get direct help in your community and in your language, find a partner organization.

If you’re already working 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 through ACCESS HRA.

If you are working, don’t quit your job or reduce your hours below 30 per week without a valid reason, like being sick.

Documents that count as proof of work:

• Pay stubs
• Employer letters stating your hours and pay
• Receipts or statements from volunteer work
• Letters from training or job programs
• Any document showing your work hours and earnings

How to submit proof:

1.  Online: Report your job and pay information using the SNAP Case Change feature in ACCESS HRA or upload proof documents using the ACCESS HRA app. Use the NYDocSubmit app to take pictures of and upload pay stubs or employment verification letters.
2. Mail: You can mail the documents to your local SNAP office.
3. In person: Visit any SNAP Walk-in Customer Service center

When to submit:

• Report within 10 days if your work hours or income drop below the required amount
• If you have a recertification or periodic report, include your work updates then
• You can submit anytime — don't wait

To get direct help in your community and in your language, find a partner organization.

If you have a medical disability, 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 these 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 messages 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, either:

• In person, or
• By phone or video

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

1. Participate in a work or training program
   
   You may be assigned to a SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) program.
   These programs can include:

• Job search support
• Training programs
• Work experience or community service

Find job training programs

• Workforce One
• NYC Small Business Services (SBS) training
  

1.  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).
   
   Resources to find a job (NYC & NY State)

• Workforce1 Career Centers (NYC jobs + training)
• NY State Job Bank
  

1. Find a volunteer opportunity
   
   You may be able to fulfill your work hours by volunteering.
   
   Find volunteer opportunities:

• HRA Partner Organizations (approved for SNAP)
• NYC Service (citywide volunteer opportunities)

The form to submit for volunteering is available here.

To get direct help in your community and in your language, find a partner organization.

If you can’t work due to a health condition, ask a doctor or provider to fill out a Medical Statement form from the HRA website. You can submit it through ACCESS HRA, or mail, fax, or drop it off at a SNAP Center.

How to submit your exemption documents

1. Get the form completed
   
   Ask your healthcare provider to fill out the ABAWD Medical Statement form and submit it to HRA via mail, fax, or online systems like NYDocSubmit or ACCESS HRA. This helps show why you may not be able to meet work requirements.
   
   
2. Who can sign the form
   
   A doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, social worker, substance use counselor, mental health counselor, osteopath, or certified midwife can complete it.
   
   
3. What the form asks

• If you are pregnant
• If you are in substance use treatment or counseling
• If you have a health condition that makes it hard to work 20+ hours a week, and for how long
  

1. Submit the form
   
   You can upload it through:

• ACCESS HRA
• NYDocSubmit

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.

1. Act quickly
   
   You usually have at least 10 days to submit proof after telling HRA.

To get direct help in your community and in your language, find a partner organization.

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

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
• 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

You must complete at least 80 hours per month of:

• Paid or unpaid work (completing up to 20 hours of paid unpaid work, or working and earning about $217/week)
• Job training (20 hours per week)
• Education programs (20 hours per week)
• Community service (Your total number of hours required are your total benefit amount divided by 17)
• Alternatively, working and earning about $217/week can also meet the requirement.

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.

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).
• 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)