Work Requirements Are Coming for Many People on SNAP. Take Action to Keep Your Benefits!

Starting as soon as September 1, 2025, many adults will need to work 20 hours a week to keep their SNAP. These work rules do not apply to people who meet an exemption. If you are not exempt or working 20 hours a week, you can only get 3 months of SNAP in 3 years.

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You DON’T need to worry as long as the County Assistance Office knows that: 

• You have a physical or mental health condition that reduces your ability to work
• You are earning at least $217.50 a week before taxes
• You have children under the age of 14
• You are at least 65 years old or under age 18
• You are getting a disability benefit like SSI or SSD
• You are enrolled in school or training at least half time
• You are getting unemployment benefits
• You are caring for someone who is sick or elderly”
• You are in drug or mental health treatment
• You are going back to work within 60 days
• You are experiencing homelessness
• You are pregnant
• You are unable to work because of domestic violence

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will be mailing you a screening form, so that you can tell the CAO if you should be exempt. Fill out that form and return it to the CAO right away! You can access translations of this form here. 

Do you work 20+ hours already?

If you make $217.50 or more per week before taxes:

• You’re safe for now, but make sure the CAO knows about your work.
• No extra paperwork

If you make less than $217.50 per week before taxes:

⚠ If your hours drop below 20 per week, you could lose SNAP.

⚠ Extra paperwork! You may have to prove your hours to the CAO every 3 months.

⚠ Ask your doctor to sign the medical exemption form below if you have a health condition.

What if my health issue reduces my ability to work?

• Take the SNAP Medical Exemption form to your healthcare provider, like your doctor or therapist. Ask them to sign it now.
• People with the signed medical form will be able to keep their SNAP.
• Even if you work now, it’s a good idea to get this form signed to protect your SNAP if your hours change.
• Once work requirements start, you can submit this signed form to the County Assistance Office to keep your benefits.

Get this medical exemption form signed ASAP! If you don’t, you could lose your SNAP as soon as December.

Not exempt from work requirements? 

If you are not exempt, you must comply by working, enrolling in a job training program, or volunteering to keep your SNAP. You must complete paperwork every six months to show you are complying. If you do not comply with SNAP work requirements, you will become subject to the 3-month time limit. Learn more about how to comply with SNAP work requirements here.