Staying on SNAP

Once you have been approved for SNAP there are some things you need to do to keep receiving benefits.  Your SNAP case was granted for a limited amount of time, which we call a certification period.  Most people are certified for either 12 or 24 months. You must complete an Interim Reporting Form (IRF) halfway through your certification period if you want to continue benefits. Two months before your certification period expires, you will be sent a letter that it is time to recertify. You will need to complete a recertification if you want to continue to receive SNAP benefits.

Work Requirements

If you are a SNAP participant between the ages of 16 through 59 who are not specifically exempted, you must follow the Basic SNAP Work Rules in other to keep your benefits. You must:

  • Register for work
    • This is done automatically at application, recertification, and/or when someone gets added to your SNAP household.
  • Provide job status or availability for work on Applications, Recertifications, Interim Reporting Forms (IRF) and upon request from your County Social Service Agency (CSSA).
  • Accept a job if it is offered to you unless it is unsuitable. Examples of an unsuitable job offer include:
    • Your commute would be over 2 hours per day
    • You don't have regular transportation to and from the job
    • The job pays less than the state or federal minimum wage
  • Not voluntarily quit your job or reduce your work hours below 30 hours a week without a good reason
  • Comply with the Work First New Jersey Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF) work assistance, if you also receive WFNJ/TANF cash assistance
  • Comply with the New Jersey Department of Labor requirements, if you receive unemployment insurance benefits
  • Meet the Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) rules as well as the SNAP Basic Work Rules, if you are determined to be subject to the ABAWD Time Limit. Learn more in our ABAWD Frequently Asked Questions. 

If you are required to register for work, you may be referred to you local One-Stop Career Center to learn more about the services offered there and potentially be referred to an educational or training program free of charge.

Who is exempt from the SNAP Basic Work Rules?

There are some situations where people do not have general work requirements to get SNAP. This is called being exempt from the general work requirements. You do not have to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP if any of the following applies to you:

  • You are younger than 16, or age 60 or older
  • You are responsible for the care of a child under 6 or a person who needs help caring for themself
  • You are working 30 hours or more per week at federal minimum wage (currently set at $7.25/hour, where 30 hours/week would be $217.50 weekly.)
  • You have applied for or are receiving unemployment insurance benefits (UIB)
  • You are physically or mentally unfit for work as determined by a medical professional
  • You are going to school, college, or participating in a training program at least half time
  • You meet the work rules for Work First New Jersey - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (WFNJ-TANF)
  • You are participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program

 

What should I do to prove that I have an exemption?

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.

 

What is an Able-bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD)?

If you are a SNAP recipient between the ages of 18 and 64 (the month after you turn 18 and 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 exemptions to the ABAWD rules. Learn more about the ABAWD rules on our ABAWD Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

What if I need help finding a job or training opportunity?

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

 

SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) Program

The SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program offers a wide range of opportunities to help you find training, skills, and work that’s right for you. E&T is a completely voluntary program.  There are no penalties if you choose not to participate, or if you do participate and later decide to stop.  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. 

SNAP recipients have access to Employment and Training Services such as: 

  • Short-term vocational or technical training;
  • On-the-job training;
  • Self-Employment Training;
  • Work Readiness Training;
  • Internships;
  • Pre-Apprenticeship/Apprenticeships;
  • Job placement services;
  • Job retention, or follow-up case management services; 
  • High School Equivalency or GED;
  • English language training; 
  • Literacy or other adult basic education; 
  • Job-search training, such as resume writing and interviewing skills;
  • Group and individual job search activities.  

When you participate in an E&T program, you can receive help with transportation, dependent care or other supportive services such as reimbursements for uniforms or personal safety items. 

Learn more about our SNAP Employment and Training program by reading our SNAP E&T Frequently Asked Questions.

Reporting a Change

If your household experiences certain changes during your SNAP eligibility period, you are may be required to report these changes within 10 days of the date the change becomes known to the household. Your County Social Service Agency will let you know what you need to report and when.

Changes you may need to report include:

  • New employment within 10 days of the date that you receive your first pay
  • Changes in the source or amount of unearned income of $125.00 or more.
  • Changes in the amount of earned income of more than $125.00.
  • Changes in household composition.
  • Changes in residence and the resulting change in shelter costs.
  • Changes in the amount of legally obligated child support received.

You can report any of these changes by logging into your account at MyNJHelps.gov or by contacting your County Social Service Agency.

Interim Reporting Form (IRF)

An IRF is sent to your household at the four-month or ten-month mark, depending on whether your certification period is for 12 months or 24 months. Your IRF will be mailed to you with a return envelope and will be available in the Alerts/Communication section of your MyNJHelps account. You can complete your IRF in MyNJHelps, mail your completed IRF in the provided envelope or drop it off at your County Social Service Agency.

View a sample IRF form.

Required reportable IRF changes:

  • A change of gross unearned income of more than $125.00.
  • A change in gross earned income of more than $125.00.
  • A change in residence and the resulting change in shelter cost.
  • A change in the members of your SNAP household.
  • A change in child support payments of more than $50.
  • Lottery or gambling winnings of $4,250 or more.

Recertification

Households must complete the recertification process at the end of the certification period in order to continue receiving SNAP benefits. 

You will receive a Notice of Expiration letter in the mail from your County Social Service Agency (CSSA) with a scheduled interview appointment. After the interview, you will receive a packet of information including a recertification application and list of documents you will need to submit. You must return the information to your CSSA by the date provided on the letter in the packet. You can contact your CSSA if you need help completing your recertification.