As of September 1, 2025, federal changes to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, “Food Stamps”) benefits are in effect. Most adults on SNAP are now required to either work at least 20 hours per week OR qualify for an exemption.
What do SNAP work requirements mean for you?
Starting September 1, 2025, if you are:
- Between 18-54 years old,
- Do not have a dependent child under 18; and,
- Are considered physically and mentally able to work,
You need to have a job, volunteer, or be enrolled in school or a job training program.
- If you’re working, you must work an average of 20 hours each week OR earn $217.50 per week before taxes.
- If you’re in school or a training program, you must have total class and study time of 20 hours each week OR be enrolled at least half-time.
- If you’d like to meet the work requirement through community service, your caseworker can let you know how many hours each week you need to volunteer.
If you do not meet this requirement, you will only be able to get SNAP benefits for three months over a three-year period. You must report that you are meeting the requirement to keep your SNAP benefits.
SNAP recipients aged 18-64 must take the following actions to avoid losing SNAP benefits:
- Complete the PA DHS Screening Form Checklist (mailed to you by PA DHS; can also be found here).
- If health limits your work, have your doctor or therapist sign the Medical Exemption Form.
- Return the Screening Form Checklist and proof to the County Assistance Office. (Please note: the County Assistance Office is operated at the state level by the PA Department of Human Services.)
Additional details about who needs to take action, and when, along with additional forms can be found on the PA DHS website.
Pennsylvanians should also keep their address up-to-date with DHS by calling the Customer Service Center or updating their address through COMPASS, and with the United States Postal Service so they don’t miss any important mailings about their benefits.
Additional changes to SNAP will go into effect later this fall:
- Starting October 1st, non-US Citizens who receive SNAP may remain eligible if they are lawful permanent residents, Cuban-Haitian entrants, and COFA (Compact of Free Association citizens from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau) migrants.
- Starting November 1st, certain enrollees who previously met exemptions to receive SNAP will have to meet new work requirements to continue receiving SNAP. These groups are those 55-64 years old, parents whose youngest is 14 years old or older, veterans, homeless, current or former foster youth on their 18th birthday, and those considered physically and mentally able to work.
Groups that are still exempt from the new SNAP work requirements are limited to those:
- Living in a SNAP household with a child under 18 years old (will be lowered to 14 years old on November 1st)
- Unable to work due to physical or mental health condition
- Pregnant
- Receiving (or applied for) Unemployment Compensation
- Unable to work due to domestic violence
- Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program
- Homeless, living in a shelter or halfway house, or staying with family or friends for 90 days or less (exemption will end on 10/31/25)
- A veteran of any branch of the U.S. Military, National Guard, or reserves, regardless of discharge type (exemption will end on 10/31/25)
- Someone who has aged out of the foster care system and is currently under the age of 25 (exemption will end on 10/31/25)
If enrollees receive SNAP while meeting an exemption, they will not lose their SNAP benefit; however, if they lose their exemption at any point, the three-month time limit will apply again starting at their next SNAP renewal. The PA DHS Website provides extensive information and resources on all of these changes, including forms to report community service and volunteer verification, and employment and training weekly activity, and to apply for medical exemption. Refer to DHS for official updates, changes, and new timelines to the SNAP program.
For additional questions, please call your DHS Caseworker directly or contact the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930.
