SNAP Work Requirements for Gig and Seasonal Workers
Self-employment counts as work for SNAP. Earning enough each week can exempt you completely.
Short answer: Gig, app-based, and self-employed work counts toward the 80 hours a month. If you work at least 30 hours a week or earn at least $217.50 a week, you are exempt from the time limit. Some seasonal farmworkers with a contract to start work within 30 days are also exempt. There is no special off-season rule.
Gig and self-employed work
- It counts as work. Federal rules count work for money, work for goods or services, and verified unpaid work (7 CFR 273.24(a)(2)).
- Hours are averaged over the month. The rule is "20 hours per week, averaged monthly," which means 80 hours in the month. A slow week can be made up later in the month.
- 30 hours or $217.50 a week exempts you. An "employed or self-employed person" working at least 30 hours a week, or earning at least the federal minimum wage times 30 hours ($217.50 a week), is excused from SNAP's general work rules and the time limit (7 CFR 273.7(b)(1)(vii)).
Federal rules do not say how states should count hours for self-employment. Keep both an hours log and your earnings records, and ask your state how it counts them.
Seasonal workers
- Farmworkers with a contract: migrant and seasonal farmworkers "under contract or similar agreement with an employer or crew chief to begin employment within 30 days" count as employed, which exempts them.
- Off-season: SNAP has no seasonal averaging. In months without work, you need 80 hours from another activity, like volunteering or SNAP Employment and Training, or the month can count against you.
- Good cause: if work you had lined up fell through for a temporary reason you could not control, ask your SNAP office about good cause.
What proof is usually needed
- App earnings statements or payout summaries
- A signed log of dates and hours worked
- 1099 forms, invoices, or bank deposits
- For farmworkers, a contract or letter from the employer or crew chief with your start date
What to do next
- Save weekly app earnings summaries. If you earn $217.50 or more a week, tell your SNAP office.
- See what counts toward the 80 hours, including volunteering and training.
- Count your months with the time limit calculator.
- Use the free checker to see if the time limit applies to you in your state.
- Already cut off? See how to get SNAP back or appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Does DoorDash or Uber count for SNAP work requirements?
Yes. Self-employed app work counts as work. If you work 30 hours a week or earn $217.50 a week, you are exempt from the time limit.
Do I need exactly 20 hours every week?
No. The rule is 20 hours a week averaged over the month, or 80 hours in the month.
Is the $217.50 before or after expenses?
Federal rules say "weekly earnings" of at least the federal minimum wage times 30 hours. For self-employment, ask your state how it counts business costs.
I only work in summer. What about winter?
SNAP has no seasonal averaging. In months without work, volunteering or a SNAP Employment and Training program can help you reach 80 hours.