Short answer. Adults 18 to 64 who are able to work and don't live with a child under 14 are generally limited to 3 months of SNAP in a 3-year period unless they work, volunteer or join a work program for at least 80 hours a month, or are exempt. A 2025 federal law raised the top age from 54 to 64 and changed the exemptions. A separate set of general work rules applies to ages 16 to 59.
Rule 1: the general work requirements (ages 16 to 59)
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service says adults 16 to 59 who are able to work generally must register for work, take part in SNAP Employment and Training or workfare if assigned, accept a suitable job if offered, and not quit a job or cut hours below 30 a week without a good reason. People already working 30 hours a week, caring for a child under six or an incapacitated person, in regular drug or alcohol treatment, or in school at least half-time are among those exempt.
Rule 2: the time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents
This is often called the ABAWD rule. Without meeting it or being exempt, SNAP is limited to 3 months in a 3-year period.
What changed. An FNS memo of October 3, 2025 explains the changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, effective July 4, 2025:
- The rule now covers ages 18 to 64 (it used to stop at 54).
- The exemption for a household with a child now applies only to children under 14 (it used to be under 18).
- The temporary exemptions for people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and young adults who aged out of foster care were removed.
- New exemptions were added for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Urban Indians and California Indians.
FNS's general work requirements page, updated November 3, 2026, still shows the older age range and list and says it will be updated once guidance on the law is released. The memo and New Jersey's page reflect the new rules.
How to meet the 80 hours
New Jersey's ABAWD page lists these ways:
- Work at least 80 hours a month, or an average of 20 hours a week. Work includes employment, self-employment, volunteer work and in-kind work.
- Take part in a job program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, for at least 80 hours a month.
- Any combination of the two that adds up to 80 hours.
- Take part in workfare for the hours assigned.
Who is exempt (New Jersey page)
Under 18 or 65 and over; an adult in a SNAP household with a child under 14; pregnant; physically or mentally unfit for work as determined by a county worker; exempt from the general work rules (with an age condition for 60 to 64); American Indian or Alaska Native; or living in a waived area. The NJ page doesn't name waived areas, so ask your County Social Service Agency.
How the months are counted
A month counts toward the three when you get SNAP without meeting the 80 hours and without an exemption. Once three are used, benefits stop. FNS says you can regain them by meeting the requirement for 30 days or by becoming exempt; otherwise you wait for the 3-year period to end. New Jersey's page says that after three counted months without a good reason, benefits stop "until January 31, 2027."
What to do in New Jersey
- Track hours weekly, by activity, with proof (pay stubs, a volunteer coordinator's sign-off, program attendance).
- If your hours drop below 80, tell your county agency within 10 days, as the NJ page asks.
- If something kept you from working, such as illness, no childcare or no transportation, the NJ page says a good reason, if approved, can prevent a change to benefits. Report it.
- Report and check your case at MyNJHelps.gov or through your County Social Service Agency.
Example month (hypothetical)
A 58-year-old with no children at home, newly covered by the time limit after the age change:
- Week 1: 18 hours of warehouse work
- Week 2: 18 hours
- Week 3: 18 hours
- Week 4: 22 hours
- Total: 76 hours, 4 short of 80
Adding a 4-hour volunteer shift at a food bank that month would bring it to 80. Without it, the month could count as one of the three. Hours are invented for illustration; the county agency decides.
Sources
- USDA FNS: SNAP work requirements (updated Nov. 3, 2026)
- USDA FNS: OBBB ABAWD exceptions implementation memorandum (Oct. 3, 2025)
- NJ SNAP: Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD)
Common questions
Does volunteering count toward the 80 hours?
Yes. New Jersey's ABAWD page says work includes employment, self-employment, volunteer work and in-kind work, and hours can be combined with a job program.
I'm a veteran. Am I still exempt from the time limit?
The FNS memo says the 2025 law removed the temporary exemption for veterans. Another exemption may still apply, such as being unfit for work. Ask your county agency.
My youngest child is 15. Am I exempt?
Not under the household-with-a-child exemption, which now applies to children under 14. Check the other exemptions on the New Jersey page.
What happens if I get 70 hours one month?
That month may count toward the three-month limit unless you're exempt or had an approved good reason. Tell your county agency within 10 days when hours drop below 80.
Can I get SNAP back after the three months are used?
FNS says you can regain benefits by meeting the requirement for 30 days or becoming exempt. Otherwise you wait until the 3-year period ends.
Related guides
- Medicaid work requirements in New Jersey: what to track from January 2027
- Behind on rent or utilities in New Jersey: where to get help
- Side income: how to set aside money for taxes on gig work
This guide is general information, checked November 2026 against the official pages listed in Sources. It is not legal or benefits advice and doesn't tell you what you qualify for; the agency decides. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any government agency.