SNAP Alert



SNAP Alert

The federal government shutdown ended November 12, 2025.

EBT cardholders should now see the balance of November federal SNAP food benefits on their EBT cards.


To check your balance, visit www.ConnectEBT.com or call 1-800-526-9099. Scroll down for more information, and to learn about SNAP work requirement changes.


Know your rights!

If your EBT card has funds and an authorized SNAP retailer store refuses to accept it, or you are otherwise not allowed to use your SNAP benefits at an authorized store, please contact DHSS Constituent Relations at 302-255-9877 or email dhssinfo@delaware.gov.

Important! ABAWD work requirements waived for November

The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) waived the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement for November 2025 due to the federal government shutdown and uncertainty around November benefits. Keep scrolling to learn more about changes to federal SNAP work requirements.

SNAP Frequently Asked Questions – Delaware

How important is SNAP to Delaware?
• 119,000* Delawareans rely on SNAP food benefits – one in 9 Delawareans • 60,000 Delaware households Of these Delaware families, more than:** • 66% of SNAP participants are in families with children • 36% are in families with members who are older adults or have disabilities *September 2025 **FY2024
What if I need additional food assistance?
Delaware is a state of neighbors who care about one another. If you need help stretching your food budget until SNAP benefits restart, these resources may be able to help: Delaware 211 Food Assistance | Delaware 211   • Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-560-3372   • Text your ZIP code to 898-211 Food Bank of Delaware Food Bank of Delaware Community Food Pantries   • New Castle County: (302) 292-1305   • Kent and Sussex Counties: (302) 424-3301 Delaware State Service Center Food Pantries   • Delaware State Service Center Locations
Should I keep my EBT card?
Yes, keep using the same EBT card. Food benefits do not expire unless the EBT card is inactive for 274 days (approximately 9 months). Even if a case closes, households should keep their EBT cards in case benefits are delayed.
What if I need to apply for or renew my SNAP benefits?
You may continue to apply for and renew food benefits and report changes through Delaware ASSIST and at your local State Service Center. You may request a Fair Hearing; however, hearings will not be granted for issues related to the non-issuance of November benefits caused by the federal shutdown.
How can I help?
If you are able, please donate generously to the Food Bank of Delaware, your local food pantry, soup kitchen or place of worship to make sure all Delaware families have healthy meals. Donate: Food Bank of Delaware


SNAP Benefits Alert Banner

Important news about SNAP food benefits and work requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)


Under the federal government’s SNAP work requirements, effective November 1, 2025, you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) and no longer exempt from work requirements if you:

  • Currently receive food benefits.
  • Are 18-64 years old.
  • Do not have children under 14 living with you.
  • Are physically and mentally able to work.
Note: Being homeless, a veteran or in foster care at the age of 18 is no longer considered an exemption from work requirements.


SNAP Benefits Alert Banner

To keep getting SNAP food benefits in Delaware, you must be able to show you meet work requirements of the federal government. This means you must spend at least 80 hours every month working and/or participating in the SNAP Employment and Training Program.

These new rules are part of the federal budget bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025. If you cannot prove that you meet the new work requirements, you risk losing your SNAP benefits.

Individuals will get three months of SNAP food benefits without complying. To continue receiving your SNAP benefits after the three months, you must either comply with the work requirements or report an approved exemption.

Delaware officials cannot change the rules of this federal law, but we are here to help you learn what you need to do to keep getting your SNAP food benefits. If you cannot prove that you meet the new work requirements, or if you do not have an approved exemption, you risk losing your SNAP benefits.

If you believe you are unable to work due to a disability, contact your Delaware Division of Social Services case manager to fill out a Medical Exemption Form.



Starting November 1, 2025:

  • The upper age limit for SNAP work exemptions changed from 55 to 65. This means if you are between the ages of 55 and 64, you are no longer exempt from SNAP work requirements based on age alone.
  • The exemption based on the age of a child living with you changed from 18 to 14. This means if you have a child living with you who is 14 or older, you are no longer exempt from SNAP work requirements based on the child’s age alone.
  • The exemption from SNAP work requirements for those who are homeless ended October 31, 2025.
  • The exemption from SNAP work requirements for those who are veterans ended October 31, 2025.
  • The exemption for those who were in foster care on their 18th birthday ended October 31, 2025. This means you are no longer exempt until age 24.
  • New exceptions were added for “an Indian”, “Urban Indian”, and “California Indian” as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
    • Note: the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) waived the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement for November 2025 due to the federal government shutdown and uncertainty around November benefits.

If you are required to follow the SNAP work requirements, the Delaware Division of Social Services will notify you by mail.

If you live in Delaware and currently get SNAP food benefits, and you fall under the new work requirements for Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD), you must be able to prove that you spend at least 80 hours working and/or participating in the SNAP Employment and Training Program each month.

If you do not meet these new federal work requirements, you risk losing your SNAP food benefits.

You may be exempt for the SNAP work requirements if you can say yes to at least one of these exemptions:

  • You are younger than age 18.
  • You are age 65 or older. (Note: The federal government will change changed this from 55 to 65 on 11/1/2025)
  • You are unable to work because of a physical or mental health reason.
  • You are pregnant.
  • You are living with someone in your house who is younger than age 14. (Note: The federal government changed this exemption from 18 to 14 on 11/1/2025)
  • You are taking care of a child younger than age 6 or someone who needs help caring for themself.
  • You are already working at least 30 hours a week.
  • You are already earning $217.50 or more per week in wages.
  • You are receiving unemployment benefits, or you applied for unemployment benefits.
  • You are going to school, college, or a training program at least half time.
  • You are meeting the work rules for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
  • You are participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program.
  • You are “an Indian,” “Urban Indian,” or “California Indian” as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. (Note: The federal government added these exemptions on 11/1/2025.)

If you said yes to at least one of these exemptions, talk to your case manager or call 1-866-843-7212. If your exemption is approved, you will continue to receive your SNAP food benefits.

Yes. It is your responsibility to contact your case manager to prove you are meeting the SNAP work requirements.

If your work hours drop below 80 hours a month (20 hours per week), you must let your case manager know within 10 days. You may also call 1-866-843-7212.

If you need help finding and keeping a job, the Delaware Division of Social Services SNAP Employment and Training program can help you learn work skills, find a job, or choose an education or job training program. Participating in this program also counts toward the SNAP work requirements so you continue to get SNAP food benefits. To learn more and sign up, call Career Team at 302-654-4949.

It is your responsibility to contact your case manager to prove you are meeting the SNAP work requirements.

It is also very important to keep your contact information up-to-date with the Delaware Division of Social Services so we can reach you with any new information about your SNAP food benefits. Talk with your case manager, visit a Delaware State Service Center, or call 1-866-843-7212 to let us know if your contact information changes, or if your health or living situation changes and may qualify you for an exemption.

To learn more about the SNAP work requirements and what it means for your SNAP food benefits, talk with your case manager, visit a Delaware State Service Center, or call 1-866-843-7212.