By Jie Jenny Zou | New York Focus
This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here.
On Monday, thousands of New Yorkers received notices that their monthly food benefits might end due to new work requirements that kicked in this March. It’s the latest in a series of changes limiting eligibility and access to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, which nearly three million residents rely on to feed their families.
Below, we’ve compiled information for SNAP recipients in New York seeking clarity on the change and how it will affect their benefits. If you have specific questions about your benefits case, contact your local social services department.
What are the new work rules for SNAP?
You may have heard about new work rules for SNAP recipients, called the “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” work requirements, or “ABAWD” work rules.
These requirements went into effect in New York on March 1, 2026, as a result of federal changes to the program. The new rules require certain SNAP recipients to prove they are working, volunteering, or in school for a specific number of hours each month in order to keep their monthly food benefits. See the next section, titled “What do I have to do for the new work rules?” for more information about how many hours are required.
You might be impacted by the new requirements if ALL of the following apply to you:
- you are an adult aged 18 to 64, AND
- you DO NOT live with a child under 14 years old, AND
- you DO NOT care for a person who cannot care for themselves, AND
- you DO NOT have any mental or physical conditions that prevent you from working
These new rules will also apply to you even if you are unhoused, are a veteran, or are a youth aging out of foster care and check all of the above boxes.
What do I have to do for the new work rule?
If the new rules apply to you, you have to document every month that you’ve done ONE of the following:
- performed paid OR unpaid work for 20 hours a week (for a total of 80 hours per month) OR earned at least $217.50 a week, OR
- participated in an approved work training program for 20 hours a week (for a total of 80 hours per month), OR
- volunteered for an eligible program OR participated in an approved work experience program for a specific number of hours per month
Note: In this case, your monthly hour requirement depends on where you live. To calculate it, divide the amount of your monthly SNAP benefit by the minimum wage in your area.
- For example: If you receive $300 each month in SNAP benefits and the local minimum wage is $16.00 per hour, then you have to complete 18 hours of volunteer work each month or spend 18 hours in an approved work experience program each month. ($300 ÷ $16.00 = 18 hours).
- If you live in NYC, Long Island, or Westchester, where the minimum wage is $17.00 per hour, and receive $300 a month in SNAP benefits, then you have to complete 17.6 hours of volunteer work or in a work experience program each month. ($300 ÷ $17.00 = ~17.6 hours).
Contact your local social services department for more information about what counts as an approved work training program, an approved work experience program, or an eligible volunteer program. The department should be able to direct you to specific options in your area and also calculate exactly how many hours you are required to complete and document each month based on your specific situation.
Why have I received notices saying that my SNAP benefits are ending?
Your household may have received a notice in the mail mentioning something called the “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” work requirements or “ABAWD” work rules. This means you may have to meet the requirements outlined in the previous section, titled “What do I have to do for the new work rules?”
If you are unable to meet the monthly requirement more than three times in the current reporting period, you may receive notices saying that your SNAP benefits are ending and that your case is closed.
The current reporting period ends September 30, 2026. That means if you are unable to meet the monthly requirement for any three months between March 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, you are at risk of losing your SNAP benefits. These three months do NOT have to be back to back. (For example, if you do not meet the requirements in April, June, and August, you are at risk.)
I haven’t received any notices about changes to my SNAP benefits.
If you haven’t received any notices about changes to your SNAP benefits, then it’s likely because your local social services department has determined that you are NOT required to follow the new work rules.
You do NOT have to comply with the new work rules if you:
- are pregnant, OR
- receive disability benefits, OR
- receive unemployment benefits, OR
- are unable to meet monthly work or volunteer requirements because of a mental or physical health reason, OR
- participate in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program, OR
- are enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time
If you are able to check off any of the above boxes, you likely are considered exempt from the work rules, which means you do not have to meet the new monthly requirement.
I think there’s been a mistake. What can I do?
If you received a notice but believe you should be considered exempt from the monthly work rules, you should contact your local social services department immediately and explain your situation.
Social service staff may ask questions over the phone to learn about your personal circumstances, or ask you to submit a medical exemption form, which must be completed by a health care professional who can confirm that you have a medical condition that prevents you from working at least 80 hours each month.
If you live in New York City, the Human Resources Administration’s WeCare program may be able to connect you with a health care professional who can fill out your medical exemption form at no cost.
If you believe you were denied an exemption improperly, or your work or your monthly hours were misdocumented, you can request a fair hearing to appeal the decision. A local nonprofit legal aid organization may be able to help you with your fair hearing or your benefits case. This includes groups like Empire Justice Center, NY Legal Assistance Group, the Legal Aid Society, Legal Services NYC, Urban Justice Center, and more.
If you are having trouble reaching your local social services department, a local SNAP outreach navigator may be able to help you. You can look up your local SNAP navigator here.
I’ve lost my SNAP benefits. How can I get food?
You can contact your nearest food pantry. Food pantries offer free groceries, including fresh produce, canned or other shelf-stable items, and sometimes other household necessities.
Here is a link to a map where you can look up food pantries near you, as well as additional free food resources, like community kitchens that serve meals, community food fridges that allow you to take whatever you need, mobile food pantries that travel throughout your community, and more.
Local mutual aid groups in New York City and elsewhere in the state may also be offering assistance. Local politicians’ offices may also be able to connect residents with additional food resources and programs. Look up your elected officials using this website.
Here are other assistance programs you might be eligible for:
- If you are also enrolled in Medicaid, you may be eligible for food assistance through your local Social Care Network.
- If you are pregnant, have a child under 5, and meet certain income limits, your household may be eligible for the Women, Infants, and Children program, which also provides food assistance. The program is not just for mothers and children — caregivers, including foster parents and grandparents, may also apply.
- If you are age 60 or older, you may be eligible for senior-specific food resources through older adult centers and other programs.
