SNAP Work Requirements for American Indians and Alaska Natives
H.R. 1 added a new exemption from the SNAP time limit for American Indians and Alaska Natives, wherever they live.
Short answer: Yes, you are exempt. H.R. 1 added an exemption for Indians, Urban Indians, and California Indians as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. It took effect July 4, 2025, and states began applying it at applications and renewals. You do not have to live on a reservation. Native Hawaiians are not included.
The rule
The Food and Nutrition Act now exempts "an Indian or an Urban Indian (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (13) and (28) of section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act)" and "a California Indian described in section 809(a)" of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(3)(F) and (G)).
Who that includes
USDA's October 3, 2025 memo explains the definitions:
- Indian: a member of a federally recognized tribe, band, nation, or group, including Alaska Native villages and regional or village corporations.
- Urban Indian: someone living in an urban center who is a member of a tribe or group (including terminated or state-recognized tribes), a child or grandchild of a member, an Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native, or someone the Interior or Health and Human Services departments treat as Indian.
- California Indian: a member of a federally recognized tribe, certain descendants of Indians living in California in 1852, holders of certain trust interests in California, and people on certain rancheria and reservation lists and their descendants.
USDA notes that this definition of "Indian tribe" is different from the one used elsewhere in SNAP rules. Native Hawaiians are not covered unless they also meet one of these definitions.
What proof is usually needed
USDA told states to follow normal SNAP verification rules, which require proof only for information that is questionable. States handle this differently:
- North Carolina must accept your statement unless it conflicts with other information. If proof is needed, a tribal enrollment card or a letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or your tribe works.
- Texas lets people self-declare.
- Nebraska says it will ask you to verify tribal enrollment.
- Oregon says people who get care from Indian Health Service or a tribal or urban Indian clinic are exempt.
What to do next
- Tell your SNAP office you are American Indian or Alaska Native, at your interview or as a change.
- Keep a copy of your tribal ID, CDIB, or a letter from your tribe or IHS clinic in case your state asks.
- Use the free checker to see if the time limit applies to you in your state.
- Find your state page for start dates, waived areas, forms, and phone numbers.
- Already cut off? See how to get SNAP back or appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Are Native Americans exempt from SNAP work requirements?
Yes. Since H.R. 1, Indians, Urban Indians, and California Indians as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act are exempt from the SNAP time limit.
Do I have to live on a reservation?
No. The exemption applies wherever you live. The Urban Indian definition covers many people in cities.
Are Native Hawaiians exempt?
Not by that status alone. The law uses Indian Health Care Improvement Act definitions, which do not include Native Hawaiians.
I am the grandchild of an enrolled member. Am I exempt?
Possibly. The Urban Indian definition covers children and grandchildren of tribal members who live in an urban center. Ask your SNAP office what proof it accepts.
When did this exemption start?
It took effect July 4, 2025. USDA told states to apply it right away at applications and renewals.
Sources
- Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1), Sec. 10102: Modifications to SNAP work requirements (govinfo.gov)
- USDA FNS: ABAWD exceptions implementation memo, SNAP provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Oct. 3, 2025)
- 25 U.S.C. 1603: Indian Health Care Improvement Act definitions (U.S. Code)
- 25 U.S.C. 1679: eligibility of California Indians (U.S. Code)
- North Carolina DHHS: FNS 260, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (Change 02-2025, Dec. 1, 2025)