Published June 4, 2026
June marks the return of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) time limits (i.e. work requirements). For the first time in close to three decades, SNAP participants in the District of Columbia will be required to prove they are working or volunteering at least 80 hours per month to maintain their SNAP benefits. These changes threaten to deepen hunger and economic hardship for thousands of District residents, including working families, children, older adults, and people with disabilities at a time when many households are already struggling to afford basic needs amid rising prices and economic uncertainty.
For many District of Columbia residents, SNAP is not simply a supplement to their food budget; it is the difference between having enough food to eat and going hungry.
The impacts of SNAP time limits will not be felt equally. Longstanding racial and economic inequities have left Black residents and communities east of the Anacostia River disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and barriers to economic opportunity. The greatest impact is likely to be felt by residents living in Ward 7 and Ward 8. These wards are home to nearly 65,000 SNAP participants. SNAP is their lifeline to keeping food on the table.
The potential consequences of time limits also raise important racial equity concerns. Black residents comprise approximately 80 percent of Ward 7 and 81.4 percent of Ward 8, with a median income of $71,088 in Ward 7 and $52,769 in Ward 8. Policy changes that reduce access to SNAP are likely to disproportionately affect Black communities in wards 7 and 8. The loss of food assistance could deepen existing disparities in food security, health, and economic opportunities.
Many individuals subject to time limits face significant obstacles to securing stable employment and meeting the exemption requirements, including caregiving responsibilities, inconsistent work schedules, limited access to transportation, and health challenges. Additionally, without strong investments in outreach, case management, employment and training supports, and streamlined eligibility processes, SNAP-eligible residents may lose benefits not because they fail to meet requirements, but because they are unable to overcome complex, bureaucratic administrative barriers.
Who Will Be Impacted?
SNAP time limits apply to individuals who are considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). Generally, ABAWDs are adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who are not pregnant, do not have physical or mental barriers to employment, and do not qualify for another exemption. Under changes included in the federal budget reconciliation law, H.R. 1, the definition of who is considered to have a dependent has been narrowed, meaning more adults with older children may be subject to SNAP time limits. While previous policy exempted many parents and caregivers with children under age 18, adults living with dependent children aged 14 and older may now be required to meet work requirements to maintain their SNAP benefits.
As the policy start date approached, SNAP recipients across the District began receiving letters and robocalls from the Department of Human Services (DHS) notifying them that work requirements are being reinstated. These notices were sent to all existing SNAP participants, regardless of age or exemption status, meaning many recipients who received the communication are already meeting the requirements or qualify for an exemption. However, failing to meet the required work standards can result in benefits being limited to just three months within a 36-month period.
How Can SNAP Recipients Meet the Work Requirements?
Many program participants may be wondering what they need to do to keep their benefits. Individuals subject to SNAP time limits can meet work requirements through employment, education and training programs, volunteer opportunities, or a combination of activities. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Option 1: Work at Least 20 Hours Per Week
Many SNAP participants can meet work requirements by working an average of at least 20 hours per week, or 80 hours per month. Work can be paid employment, unpaid work, volunteer activities, or work performed in exchange for goods or services. Participants can also meet the requirement by earning at least $217.50 per week, even if they work fewer than 20 hours.
Example: Maria works 20 hours each week at a restaurant. Because she is working at least 20 hours per week in a paid job, she meets the SNAP work requirement.
Work performed in exchange for housing or other necessities may also be counted.
Example: Jessica lives in an apartment building rent-free in exchange for working 25 hours each week as the building concierge. Because she works more than 20 hours per week in exchange for housing, she meets the work requirement.
Option 2: Participate in a Work or Training Program
Participants can also meet SNAP work requirements by taking part in an approved work or training program for at least 20 hours per week, or 80 hours per month. This may include programs offered through SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) or other approved workforce development initiatives.
SNAP work requirements can also be met through a combination of work and participation in an approved training program, as long as the total time averages at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.
Work and training programs can help participants build skills, earn certifications, and prepare for employment while maintaining access to food assistance.
Example: Daniel works 10 hours per week at a convenience store and participates in a SNAP E&T hospitality training program for another 10 hours per week. Together, these activities total 80 hours per month, allowing him to meet the work requirement.
Option 3: Participate in the SNAP Volunteer Program (Workfare)
Another option is the SNAP Volunteer Program, also called Workfare. Administered through SNAP E&T, the program connects participants with approved volunteer opportunities at nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and government agencies. For many participants, this is the fastest and most flexible way to meet the work requirements because it often requires fewer hours than traditional employment or training programs. The number of volunteer hours required depends on the amount of SNAP benefits a household receives.
Example: Joe lives alone and receives $298 per month in SNAP benefits. To determine his monthly volunteer requirement, his benefit amount is divided by D.C.’s minimum wage of $17.95 per hour. In Joe’s case, that equals approximately 17 volunteer hours per month. By completing those hours through the SNAP Volunteer Program, Joe can meet the work requirements and maintain his SNAP benefits.
Who Is Exempt From SNAP Time Limits?
Not everyone who receives a notice about SNAP work requirements is required to meet them. Many people qualify for an exemption and can continue receiving benefits without participating in work or training activities.
You may be exempt from the SNAP work requirements if you are:
- under age 18;
- age 65 or older;
- pregnant; or
- have a physical or mental health condition that makes it difficult to work at least 20 hours per week and can provide verification from a medical provider; or
- are participating in a substance use treatment program and can provide documentation from an approved professional.
For a list of additional exemptions, please visit: https://dhs.dc.gov/page/snap-work-requirements.
When Will SNAP Participants Be Screened for Work Requirements?
Not everyone will be screened for SNAP work requirements at the same time.
For individuals applying for SNAP after June 1, work requirement screening will occur as part of the application process. Applicants will be asked questions about their household circumstances, employment status, and any factors that may qualify them or an exemption.
For current SNAP participants, screening will not happen immediately. Instead, existing clients will be reviewed at their next recertification. During the recertification process, the Department of Human Services will determine whether an individual is subject to the work requirements or eligible for an exemption.
This means that while many SNAP participants have received notices about the return of work requirements, not everyone receiving a notice has been identified as an ABAWD or is required to take action right away. Some individuals may already meet the requirements through work or training activities, while others may qualify for an exemption. The screening process is intended to ensure that participants are evaluated based on their current circumstances before any changes to their benefits occur.
As the District implements these changes, the stakes extend far beyond program rules and paperwork. SNAP helps thousands of District residents put food on the table, supporting local businesses and strengthening communities across the city. The return of work requirements has the potential to disproportionately affect neighborhoods already experiencing higher rates of food insecurity and economic hardship, particularly in Ward 7 and Ward 8. Ensuring that eligible residents remain connected to benefits will require a coordinated effort among government agencies, community organizations, advocates, and residents themselves. Hunger is not inevitable, and access to food should not depend on a person’s ability to navigate complex administrative requirements. By working together to provide clear information and support, the District can help prevent unnecessary benefit losses and ensure that SNAP continues to serve as a vital lifeline for individuals and families.
For more information about SNAP time limits and work requirements, and additional food resources in the District, visit the D.C. Hunger Solutions website or call us at 202-640-1088.