Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents

If you are a SNAP recipient between the ages of 18 and 64, do not reside with a child under 14, and are physically and mentally fit for work, you are subject to Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules and time limits. There are some exceptions to the ABAWD rules, which are explained below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

If you are a SNAP recipient between the ages of 18 and 64 (the month after you turn 18 and up to the month you turn 65), do not live with a child under 14, and are physically and mentally fit for work, you may be subject to Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules and time limits. There are some exceptions to the ABAWD rules.

If you are an Able-bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD), you are allowed to receive SNAP benefits for only 3 months during a 3-year period unless you meet one of the following:

  • Meet the ABAWD work requirements, or
  • Are exempt form the the ABAWD time limit

You do not have a time limit and can receive more than 3 months of SNAP benefits if you meet the ABAWD work requirements. There are many ways you can meet the ABAWD work requirements, such as:  

  • Working at least 80 hours a month, or an average of 20 hours a week.  
    • IMPORTANT: Work means employment, self-employment, volunteer work, or in-kind work (working in exchange for goods and services instead of cash).  
  • Participating in a job program, such as SNAP Employment & Training (E&T), for at least 80 hours a month. 
  • A combination of any of the above for at least 80 hours a month.  
  • Participating in a Workfare program for the number of hours assigned each month.

The ABAWD time limit rules apply to SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 who have no children under the age of 14 in the SNAP household and do not meet one of the exemptions below. 

You may be exempt from the ABAWD Time Limit Rules if any one of the list below applies to you:

  • Younger than age 18; 
  • Age 65 and over;
  • An adult in a SNAP household with a child under age 14; 
  • Exempt from SNAP Basic Work Rules and between the ages of 18 and 59;
    • If aged 60-64, the for exemption must be for a reason other than age.
    • Check the notice we sent you about NJ SNAP Employment and Training Opportunities and Basic Work Rules for more information about this.
  • Pregnant;
  • Physically or mentally unfit for work as determined by a CSSA worker. Proof of this can include:
    • Receipt of temporary or permanent disability benefits; 
    • An obvious mental or physical reason preventing you from working; or 
    • A statement from your medical provider;
  • An Indian (Native American, Alaska Native, Indigenous Person, Tribal Member), Urban Indian or a California Indian as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; or,
  • Live in a waived area.  

If you think you meet one of the situations above, please contact your County Social Service Agency. They may request additional documentation, which must be submitted to verify the exemption.  

For SNAP purposes, your household includes anyone who purchases and prepares food together. There does not have to be any family or legal relationship to be part of the same SNAP household, and there can be multiple SNAP households within one physical structure.  

Physical or mental unfitness means a condition prevents you from engaging in 80 hours of work per month. A doctor's note may be necessary to support any physical or mental limitation that may not be obvious to a County Social Service Agency worker reviewing your application. You do not need to receive state or federal disability benefits such as Social Security Disability, Temporary Disability or Veterans Disability.

If you are subject to the ABAWD Time Limit Rules, you must let us know if you are working, participating in a job program or approved activity or volunteering for at least 80 hours a month.

You also must report if any of the above exemptions to the ABAWD work requirement apply to you.

If you do not tell us that you are participating in work activities, or that you qualify for an exemption from the ABAWD Time Limit Rules, you will lose your SNAP benefits after 3 months.  

If you are subject to the ABAWD Time Limit Rules and your work hours drop below 80 hours a month, you must let your County Social Service Agency know within 10 days.  

We will count each full month that you receive SNAP benefits but do not meet the ABAWD Time Limit Rules without a good reason.  Once we have counted 3 full months, you will lose your SNAP benefits until January 31, 2027.  

Call your County Social Service Agency as soon as possible if you think you have a good reason for not following the ABAWD Time Limit Rules.  Good reasons include issues you cannot control such as getting sick, having no childcare or not having transportation.  These are some examples of good reasons but there are others, too.  If we determine that you have a good reason, there will be no change to your SNAP benefits. 

If you start meeting the time limit rules, you can get SNAP benefits again after 30 days. If something changes in your life and you no longer need to follow the ABAWD work rules (for example, you have a new physical or mental health reason for not working), you may also be able get SNAP benefits again. You need to report these changes to us by calling your County Social Service Agency.

Phone, Mail, In-Person, or Online: You can submit your changes online at www.MyNJHelps.gov or to your County Social Service Agency. 

If you would like help finding a job, learn employment skills, participate in a training opportunity, or earn a certificate or credential, ask your local County Social Service Agency about participating in SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T).

The SNAP E&T program offers a wide range of opportunities to help you find training, skills, and work that’s right for you.  SNAP E&T is a completely free and voluntary program.  There are no penalties if you choose not to participate, or if you do participate and later decide to stop.  SNAP E&T participants are eligible to receive help with costs necessary to participate in the program, like costs for transportation, dependent care,  uniforms, books or supplies. SNAP E&T services are a combined effort between the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), and community partnerships.