If these rules apply to you:
- You can meet the rules by doing at least
80 hours a month of work or activities. Otherwise, you can only get SNAP benefits for
3 months in a 3-year period.
- You can
get help to meet these rules.
- If you lose SNAP benefits because of these rules, you may be able to
get your benefits back.
Who needs to meet these rules
Exemptions
Check the list of exemptions and exempt areas below, or
use this form.
You may be exempt from SNAP work or activity rules if any of these apply to you.
- A child under age 14 gets SNAP with you
- You are pregnant
- You can't work because of a physical, mental or behavioral health reason
- You get money because of a disability
- You care for someone who can't care for themselves
- You are in school at least half-time
- You work at least 30 hours a week or earn $935.25 a month before taxes (includes self-employment)
- You are meeting TANF work requirements
- You get unemployment benefits (or have applied and not been denied)
- You are in alcohol or drug treatment
- This does
not include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) support groups
- You are in a federal refugee training program
- You are American Indian or Alaska Native and meet Tribal eligibility
- You get care from Indian Health Services or a Tribal or Urban Indian clinic
- You live in certain counties or on waived Tribal land (see below)
Report an exemption
Counties without WorkSource Centers
People who live in the following counties are not required to meet the work or activity rules because their county doesn't have a WorkSource Center (counties may change at the start of each calendar year):
- Crook, Gilliam, Jefferson, Lake, Morrow, Sherman, and Wheeler
Waived Tribal lands
Tell us if you live on the Tribal lands of one of the following Tribes, even if you are not a Tribal member:
- Burns Paiute Tribe
- Coquille Indian Tribe
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
- The Klamath Tribes
Report an exemption
How to meet these rules
If work or activity rules apply to you
You can meet the rules by doing at least
80 hours each month of:
If you do not meet the required hours, you can only get SNAP for
3 months.
You may already meet the rules
If you already do the activities below, you may just need to
provide proof.
- Work
20 hours a week, or earn at least $580 a month (before taxes)
- Are
self-employed and earn at least:
- $580 a month (with no business costs), or
- $1,160 a month (with business costs)
-
Volunteer or do community service 80 hours a month
- Trade work for housing or other needs (bartering) 80 hours a month
- Any mix of the above
Proof of work or activities
If you work or volunteer on your own, you need to provide proof every time you apply or renew your SNAP benefits.
- Proof can be:
- A pay stub
- A
signed letter from your employer, volunteer coordinator, or the person you trade work with. (It
can't be from someone who receives SNAP benefits with you.)
- The letter must include:
- Your full name (and SNAP case number if you have it)
- How many hours each week you work, volunteer, or trade work for housing or other needs
- When the work or activity started and if it will continue
- The name, contact information and signature of the person writing the letter so we can contact them if we have questions
3-month time limit
If you don't meet the SNAP work or activity rules and don't have an exemption, federal rules say you can only get SNAP for
3 months in a 3-year period.
- The
current 3-year period is Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2027.
- Months that count toward this limit are called
countable months.
A
countable month is a month when you
did not meet the work or activity rules and did not have an exemption. These months count toward your 3-month time limit for SNAP.
- We check your hours each month.
- Each time you do not meet 80 hours for a month, we will send you a notice.
-
Read every notice. They tell you if you have countable months and what you can do to keep your SNAP benefits.
- Your first three countable months do not have to be in a row.
Here's an example:
- You do not work 80 hours in
May. May is your first countable month. You will get a notice.
- You work 80 hours in
June and July, but not in
August. August is your
second countable month. You will get another notice.
- If you miss the 80-hour rule again later, you will get a notice that you've reached your third countable month.
After your third countable month, your SNAP benefits may stop or be reduced unless you meet the work or activity rules again, or qualify for an exemption. See below for how you can get SNAP back.
Getting your benefits back
If my benefits stop, can I get them back?
Yes! You can get SNAP benefits again if you:
- No longer have to meet work or activity rules (for example, you are caring for a child under 14)
- Qualify for an
exemption (for example, you have a health issue or are a student)
- Meet the required 80 hours for 30 days (after you get your benefits back, you must
keep meeting the work or activity rules)
Contact us about getting your benefits back.
What if I miss the work or activity rules again?
If you've had your first 3 countable months:
- You will start a
second set of 3 countable months. These are called
countable months 4, 5, and 6.
- These 3 months are assigned together. We'll check after these 3 months to see if you completed 80 hours each month.
- If you did not, your SNAP benefits will end or be reduced.
If you've used both sets of countable months:
- You may still be able to get SNAP. However, this time you must meet the rules
every month until the next three-year period starts.
- You will not get any more countable months during that 3-year period.
Want help? We're here for you!
If you need help meeting the work or activity rules:
You can contact us or get help at your local WorkSource Center through our partners at the Oregon Employment Department (OED).
Contact the ODHS ABAWD Team.
- They'll help you get an appointment at your local WorkSource Center.
- Let us know if you need help getting to your first appointment. Support is available.
- At the WorkSource Center, you'll get connected with a dedicated Employment Specialist who can help you create an ABAWD case plan. Your case plan outlines your work-related activities for the month.
- The Oregon Employment Department (OED) has many employment, training and educational services. As part of your case plan, you may be connected to other partners like SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) providers.
- OED also provides case management. They can work with you to support your needs and employment goals.
Examples of OED supports for people who participate:
- Training funds for education
- Help searching for jobs and preparing to work
- Help buying things you need to be successful in your case plan
- Continued support for 90 days after you start a new job
To report an exemption, provide proof, or ask a question:
Call 833-947-1694
- Phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Language interpreters are available.
Email
snap.abawdteam@odhs.oregon.gov
Include these things in your email:
- Your full name
- Your SNAP case number (if you have it)
- Your phone number and the best time to reach you
- Include any of the following that apply to you:
- All exemptions you are eligible for, or
- How you are meeting the work or activity rules, including proof (pay stub or signed letter)
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.