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SNAP Time Limits

SNAP Time Limits are paused for all SNAP households starting Oct. 1, 2024

  • No one receiving SNAP in Oregon needs to meet the work requirements right now. People getting SNAP will be notified when work requirements are needed again.

If you lost SNAP benefits in 2024

  • If you lost SNAP benefits in 2024 because you didn't meet the work requirements, contact us. You may be able to start getting benefits again.
  • How to contact us

If you don't have a child under age 18 on your SNAP case, you may only be able to get SNAP benefits for three months in a three-year period. If you have an exemption or meet work requirements, you can get SNAP benefits for more than three months.

Common questions

Common questions

You might need to meet the work requirements if:

  • You live in a county applying SNAP time limits, and
  • You are between 18 and 54 ​years old* and able to work, and​
  • You don't have a child under 18 on your SNAP case.

See below for more information on who is exempt and how to request an exemption.

*As of Oct. 1, 2024, the age range includes people who are 53-54 years old. There’s no action you need to take right now.

ABAWD stands for "able-bodied adults without dependents."

Because of​ federal rules, people with ABAWD status can usually only get three months of SNAP benefits in a 3-year period. 

You can keep your SNAP benefits for longer if:

  • You participate in verified work or work-related activities, or
  • You are exempt from the requirements (see "Who is exempt?" below​). 

If you have an ABAWD status and don't have an exemption, you need to do at least one of these things ​if you want SNAP benefits for longer than three months:

  • ​​Work 80 hours a month. This can be paid or unpaid (volunteering or bartering). If self-employed, earnings must be at least $1,160 per month if you have business costs, or $580 if you don't have business costs.
  • Participate in the ABAWD program for 80 hours a month and complete ​the work-related activities listed on your case plan.
  • Do a combination of work (paid or unpaid) and work-related activities listed in your case plan for 80 hours a month.
  • Participate in the Workfare program at the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) rate.​

Some people with an ABAWD status are exempt from work requirements. If you think you are exempt, you need to contact us and get​ approved for an exemption. Even though SNAP Time Limits are currently not being enforced, it is still very important to let us know if you think you meet an exemption. 

You may be exempt from work requirements if one or more of these apply to you:

  • You live on the Tribal Lands of the Burns Paiute Tribe; Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw; Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation; Coquille Indian Tribe; or Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
  • ​There is a child under 18 living with you who should be receiving food benefits with you.
  • You are pregnant.
  • You are attending school at least half-time.
  • You are caring for a person with a disability, and this prevents you from working.
  • You are attending an alcohol or drug treatment program. This does not include Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) or Narcotic Anonymous (NA) support groups.
  • You are getting unemployment benefits (or have applied and have not been denied).
  • You are working for pay at least 30 hours a week.
  • You are paid at least $935.25 a month for work you do.
  • You are earning at least $935.25 a month from self-employment and have no business costs, or earn at least $1870.50 a month ​and have business costs.
  • You receive money due to a disability.
  • You can't work for health reasons (physical, behavioral or mental health).
  • You are a veteran.
  • You are under age 25 and were in foster care when you turned 18.
  • You are experiencing homelessness. This includes staying at someone else's home for 90 days or less.
  • You have a training plan with a federal refugee resettlement program such as the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO).
  • You are working, volunteering or bartering (working in exchange for something other than money; for example, working for a place to live). You will need to provide proof.

Work requirements may be required again in the future. If you think you are exempt, it is very important that you contact us to get approved for an exemption.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) does not discriminate against anyone. This means that ODHS will help all who qualify and will not treat anyone differently. See the USDA nondiscrimination statement for more information.