Starting June 1, 2026, the District of Columbia will begin the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) work requirement screening process for new and existing SNAP clients.
SNAP participants who are between the ages of 18–64 years old who are deemed ABAWDs and do not meet exemptions, may be subject to work requirements. New applicants applying for SNAP on or after June 1st will be screened for work/exemption status when they apply. Current clients will be screened at their next recertification date on or after June 1st.
Please see the information below on ABAWD work requirements. You can view a training on the ABAWD work requirements here (please note: the effective date was previously listed as May 1, 2026 and has since been updated to June 1, 2026). You may also download our SNAP time limits fact sheet here and in Spanish here.
You can meet the ABAWD work requirement by doing any one of these things:
- Work an average of at least 20 hours each week (or 80 hours a month). The work can be paid, unpaid, volunteer work, or work done in exchange for goods or services.
- Be in an approved work or training program for at least an average of 20 hours each week (or 80 hours a month). This could be through SNAP E&T or another approved work program.
- Participate in a combination of the above.
- Participate in the District’s SNAP Volunteer Program (also known as Workfare) for the number of hours assigned to you each month.
- Under 18 or over 65 years old
- Have a physical or mental health condition that makes it difficult for you to work 20 hours per week
- Pregnant
- In a substance abuse treatment program
If you believe you qualify for an exemption, need to report work and/or volunteering to the Department of Human Services (DHS), please visit https://districtdirect.dc.gov/ua/ to submit a change of circumstance form.
For a list of additional exemptions, please visit: https://dhs.dc.gov/page/snap-work-requirements.