Important news about SNAP food benefits and work requirements for Delawareans who
If these four things apply to you, you are considered by the United States Federal Government to be an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) and you are now required to meet new SNAP work requirements.
When federal work requirements go into place on October 1, 2025, individuals will get three months of benefits without complying. Benefits will not be affected until January 1, 2026. To continue receiving your SNAP benefits after January 1, 2026, you must either comply or obtain an approved exemption.
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 starting January 1, 2026.
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 are required to follow the SNAP work requirements, the Delaware Division of Social Services will notify you by mail.
Under the federal government’s SNAP work requirements, you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) if you:
- Currently get SNAP food benefits.
- Are 18-54 years old.
- Do not have children under 18 living with you, and
- Are physically and mentally able to work.
If you cannot prove that you meet the new work requirements, or you do not have an approved exemption you risk losing your SNAP benefits starting January 1, 2026.
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.
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 starting January 1, 2026.
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 55 or older. (Note: The federal government will change this to 65 on 11/1/2025)
- You are unable to work because of a physical or mental health reason.
- You are pregnant.
- You are homeless. (Note: The federal government will end this exemption on 10/31/2025)
- You are a veteran. (Note: The federal government will end this exemption on 10/31/2025)
- You are age 24 or younger and were in foster care on your 18th birthday. (Note: The federal government will end this exemption on 10/31/2025)
- You are living with someone in your house who is younger than age 18. (Note: The federal government will change 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.
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.
We do expect more changes to the work requirements for SNAP food benefits beginning November 1st, 2025:
- The upper age limit changes from 55 to 65.
- Living in a SNAP household with a child under 18 changes to 14.
- Exceptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and those who are 24 and younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday will end.
- New exceptions will be added for “an Indian”, “Urban Indian”, and “California Indian” as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.