Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon Department of Human Services Search Site

SNAP Work Rules

Changes to Work Rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

More people with an ABAWD status must meet work requirements to keep SNAP for longer than three months. The expanded age now includes people age 18 through 64 with no children under 14 on their SNAP case.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law House Resolution One (H.R.1). This law expanded ages of those who need to follow ABAWD Work Rules. Oregon will begin applying the new rules on Oct. 1, 2025. People who don’t meet the ABAWD work rules may lose SNAP benefits after 3 months.

Timeline for changesReport an exemptionGet help meeting work rulesContact us

Starting Oct. 1, 2025

People with an ABAWD status in six counties must do 80 hours of work activities to receive SNAP benefits without receiving a countable month. After three countable months their SNAP benefits may end. If you live in one of these counties and receive SNAP benefits, you might need to do work activities to keep your benefits:

  • Benton
  • Clackamas
  • Hood River
  • Multnomah
  • Washington
  • Yamhill

Starting Dec. 1, 2025

ABAWD Work Rules will apply to SNAP participants in all Oregon counties. 

SNAP cases will be reviewed at recertification to see if anyone on the case needs to start meeting the work requirements to keep their food benefits.

About ABAWD Work Rules

Who needs to meet the work rules?

You might need to meet the ABAWD Work Rules if:

  • You are between 18 and 64 years old, and
  • You don't have a child under 14 on your SNAP case.

Some people are exempt from the ABAWD Work Rules. Look at the list of exemptions and if you think you are exempt, you need to contact us. You must report an exemption every time you renew your SNAP benefits. 

It is very important to let us know if you think you meet an exemption.

What are the work rules?

If the ABAWD Work Rules apply to you, you are required to do 80 hours of work activities a month through:

  • Paid employment (including self-employment)
  • Unpaid work activities (such as bartering or volunteering)
  • Participating in a SNAP Employment and Training Program
  • A combination of work and other activities

These rules are to help people find and keep jobs while still getting the food assistance they need. To learn more about what individuals with an ABAWD status can do to meet these hour requirements, see this section below: Want Help? We Are Here for You!

SNAP time limits

If you are required to follow the ABAWD Work Rules, you can only get SNAP food benefits for three months in a three-year period if you do not complete the ABAWD Work Rules. This is called the SNAP time limit for people with an ABAWD status. The current three-year period is Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2027.

You may already meet the work requirements

Some people may already be meeting the ABAWD work rules and just need to provide proof that they are:

  • Working for pay at least 30 hours a week or earning $935.25 a month before taxes.
  • Self-employed and earning at least $935.25 without business costs (before taxes) or earning at least $1870.50 a month and have business costs (before taxes).
  • Working an average of 20 hours per work (80 hours per month) in exchange for money, goods or services (bartering), for example working in exchange for housing.
  • Volunteering or doing community service. 
  • Getting (or have applied for) unemployment benefits. 

Examples of proof are paystubs, letters from your employer or volunteer coordinator or other similar items.

Exemptions

Some people don't have to follow the ABAWD Work Rules because they meet an ABAWD exemption. If you think you are exempt, you need to contact us and get approved for an exemption. You must report these exemptions every time you apply or reapply for SNAP benefits.

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

  • There is a child under 14 who gets food benefits with you.
  • You are pregnant.
  • You are attending school at least half-time.
  • You are caring for someone who cannot care for themselves, even if they don't live with you.
  • You are attending an alcohol or drug treatment program. This does not include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) sup​port 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 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.
  • You are enrolled or your parent or grandparent is enrolled in a federally recognized tribe or a shareholder in an Alaska Native Regional Corporation or Village.​
  • You are eligible for or ​receiving services from Indian Health Services, Tribal Health Clinics, or Urban Indian Clinics.

If you think you are exempt, it is very important that you contact us to include that information in your case.

By phone at 833-947-1694

  • Phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
  • Language ​interpreters are available.

By email at snap.abawdteam@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Please include in your email:

  • Your full name.
  • Your SNAP case number (if you have it).
  • Your phone number or email and the best time to reach you.
  • The exemption you are eligible for or how you are meeting the work rules. 
  • Proof, such as a paystub or signed letter from the person you volunteer or work for.

If none of the reasons above apply to you, we still encourage you to call us.


Want help? We're here for you!

If you don't meet an exemption, we still encourage you to call us.

When someone with an ABAWD status connects with the ODHS ABAWD Team, they will get an appointment with the Oregon Employment Department (OED) at a local WorkSource Center. 

There, they will be assigned a dedicated Employment Specialist who will help create their ABAWD case plan. The ABAWD case plan outlines their work-related activities for the month.

OED offers many different employment, training and educational services. As part of the ABAWD case plan, people may be connected to other partner organizations like SNAP Employment and Training (STEP) providers. OED also provides case management to work alongside individuals to support their needs in reaching their desired employment goals.

OED may offer supports including but not limited to:

  • Training funds for education opportunities.
  • Help with searching and preparing for employment.
  • Help with purchasing the items needed to be successful in the ABAWD case plan.
  • Continued support for 90 days after starting new employment.

Support is available for you to meet with OED. Let the ABAWD Team know if you need help getting to your first appointment at OED.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has partnered with the Oregon Employment Department (OED) to offer help for people who need to follow the ABAWD Work Rules.

How to contact us

For questions, to report an exemption, or to provide proof for work requirements:

 Call 833-947-1694

Phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

 You can also email us at snap.abawdteam@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Include the following in your email:

  • Your full name.
  • Your SNAP case number (if you have it).
  • Your phone number or email and the best time to reach you.
  • The exemption you are eligible for or how you are meeting the work rules.
  • Proof, such as a paystub or signed letter from the person you volunteer or work for.

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.