SNAP Work Requirements for Parents of Teens
Before 2025, any child under 18 in your SNAP household exempted you. Now the child must be under 14.
Short answer: If your youngest child in your SNAP household is 14 to 17, the SNAP time limit can now apply to you. H.R. 1 lowered the child age from under 18 to under 14. You are still exempt if any child under 14 is in your SNAP household, if you care for a child under 6 or someone who cannot care for themselves, or if another exemption fits.
The rule
The law now exempts "a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent child under 14 years of age" (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(3)(C)). USDA's October 3, 2025 memo says adults in a SNAP household with children 14 to 17 "are now subject to the time limit, unless they meet another exception, including caring for a child in the household under age 14."
- You do not have to be the parent. Another adult in the household who is responsible for the child counts.
- The child must be under 14 and in your SNAP household.
- If you have a 15-year-old and a 9-year-old, you are exempt because of the 9-year-old.
Other exemptions for parents
- Caring for a child under 6 or a person who cannot care for themselves, such as a teen with a serious disability. This excuses you from SNAP's general work rules, which also exempts you from the time limit. Your state decides who counts as unable to care for themselves.
- Working 30 hours a week, or earning at least $217.50 a week.
- Pregnancy, a health condition that keeps you from working, school at least half-time, or getting unemployment benefits.
When your youngest child turns 14
The exemption ends once no child under 14 is in your SNAP household. Federal rules say states must screen for exemptions at application and renewal, and must explain the time limit to you in writing and out loud (7 CFR 273.7(b)(3) and 273.24(b)(8)). Ask your SNAP office when it will start counting months for you, and start tracking hours.
The rest of your household keeps its SNAP even if you reach the time limit. Only the adult who is covered loses benefits.
What to do next
- Check that every child in your home is listed on your SNAP case.
- Use the free checker to see if the time limit applies to you in your state.
- See what counts toward the 80 hours, including volunteering and training.
- Count your months with the time limit calculator.
- Already cut off? See how to get SNAP back or appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Do parents have to meet SNAP work requirements in 2026?
Parents with a child under 14 in their SNAP household are exempt. Parents whose children are all 14 or older can be covered by the 3-month time limit unless another exemption fits.
Does the child have to be mine?
No. The law covers a parent or "other member of a household with responsibility for" a child under 14.
My 16-year-old has a disability. Am I exempt?
Possibly. If your teen cannot care for themselves and you care for them, you may be excused from the general work rules, which also exempts you from the time limit. Your state decides.
Will my kids lose SNAP if I hit the time limit?
No. Only the adult who hit the time limit loses SNAP. The rest of the household can keep getting benefits.
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)
- 7 CFR 273.7: Work provisions and general work requirement exemptions (eCFR)
- 7 CFR 273.24: Time limit for able-bodied adults (eCFR)