The OBBBA limits the exception for a parent or other household member with responsibility for a dependent child to children under 14 years of age. Previously, this exception applied to a parent or other household member with responsibility for a dependent child under 18 years of age. With this change, adults in a SNAP household with children between the ages 14 and 17 are now subject to the time limit, unless they meet another exemption category, including caring for a child in the household under the age of 14.

The OBBBA removes the temporary exceptions for the following populations, which were added by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA):

• Homeless Individuals; Veterans; Individuals aged 24 or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday (or a higher age if the state offers extended foster care).

These individuals are once again subject to the time limit, as they were prior to the 2023 FRA, unless they meet another exception.

Section 10102 – Modifications to SNAP Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults

Under the current law, those designated as “Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents” (ABAWD) are not eligible for SNAP for more than 3 months within a 36-month period unless they are working and/or complying with a work program for 20 hours a week.

• Changes the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement age range to those 18-64 (currently 18-54).
• Changes the exception for those with dependent children to only apply to children under 14 (currently applies for all children under 18).
• Removes the exceptions for people who are experiencing homelessness, under 24 and aged out of foster care at 18, or a veteran through October 1, 2030.
• Limits ABAWD waivers to only be permissible if an area has an unemployment rate above 10% and removes the ability for waivers to be based on lack of sufficient jobs.

Currently approximately 3% of SNAP clients are designated as ABAWD and subject to work requirements.

It is anticipated that the number of ABAWDs will increase significantly based on these changes; however, the actual impact will depend on how the federal regulations are constructed.

Households, individuals, seniors, and the homeless may all be eligible for SNAP benefits.  People who are working and need help to stretch their income to purchase food may also be eligible for SNAP benefits as well as those receiving Social Security benefits, child support, or unemployment.

DSS administers SNAP through DSS county offices. Eligibility caseworkers interview applicants and approve those who qualify to receive the food benefit.

Qualified applicants for SNAP begin receiving benefits within 30 days of their application. Some families and individuals need expedited benefits, which begin within seven days of application.