Changes to Able Bodied Adult Work Requirements for SNAP – FAQs

General background and updates about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - October 2025

• SNAP provides assistance to purchase food for low-income households. An estimated 84,869 households (=165,659 people) currently receive SNAP in Hawaiʻi.

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that was signed into law on July 4, 2025, makes a number of changes to requirements for SNAP.

• One key change that will go into effect November 1, 2025, relates to work-requirements for Able-Bodied Adults.

• The specific changes to work requirements for Able Bodied Adults (formerly referred to as ABAWD, or Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents) are:
  • The age range will change from 18-54 to 18-64.
  • Households with dependent children aged 14 and older also will now be subject to work requirements for Abled Bodied Adults.
  • Individuals who are homeless, veterans, or youth aged 18-24 transitioning out of foster care now be subject to these work requirements.

• The changes regarding work requirements for Able Bodied Adults will potentially impact:
  • An estimated 16,000 individuals aged 55-64.
  • An estimated 10,000 households with a dependent child aged 14 or older.

• SNAP household members should be prepared to answer questions regarding these new requirements at their initial application or recertification interview.

What does the term ABAWD or Able Bodied Adults refer to?
The term ABAWD refers to Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. With recent changes to the law, this group may also be referred to as Able Bodied Adults. This group does not include individuals who are pregnant, who have a physical or mental disability, individuals receiving disability benefits, or who are participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

What are the work requirements for Able Bodied Adults (formerly referred to as ABAWD work requirements)?
Able Bodied Adults must either meet: work requirements on their own, meet an eligible exemption, or participate in a work program for at least 80 hours in a month (an average of 20 hours per week) to continue receiving SNAP for more than three months. Here are some examples of activities that may meet work requirements:

• Volunteer activity with a governmental or nonprofit organization (e.g., a food pantry or a homeless shelter, etc.);
• Paid employment, including self-employment;
• Participation in a job training program, such as the SNAP Employment & Training program or the American Job Centers; and
• An internship (Paid or unpaid).

Please note that volunteer work at a private for-profit company is not allowable.

For more detailed information, or if you have questions about scenarios not listed above, please call 1-855-643-1643 and ask to speak with an Eligibility Worker.

What if an Able Bodied Adult household member does not meet work requirements?
If an Able Bodied Adult household member does not meet work requirements, or is not exempt from the work requirements, the household member will be limited to three months of SNAP and be unable to reapply for SNAP for 36 months (three years), or until Able Bodied Adult work requirements are met.

What changes does the OBBBA make regarding Able Bodied Adult work requirements for SNAP?
The OBBBA expands the population subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements to include adults 18 through 64. Previously, the age requirement for Able Bodied Adults was 18-54. In addition, OBBBA requires that household members receiving SNAP who reside in a household that has a dependent child aged 14 and older, will now be subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements. Individuals who are homeless, veterans, or youth aged 18-24 transitioning from foster care, also will no longer be exempt from Able Bodied Adult work requirements.

Who is not subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements?
Those who are not subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements include:

• individuals who are pregnant;
• individuals with a medically confirmed physical or mental disability;
• individuals who are caretakers for an incapacitated individual;
• individuals in a school, college, or other training program at least half-time;
• individuals receiving disability benefits;
• individuals applying for unemployment benefits; and
• individuals participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

Why are the changes to Able Bodied Adult work requirements important?
The changes will impact numerous individuals who have not previously been subject to Able Bodied Adult work requirements. The state Department of Human Services estimates that 16,000 individuals aged 55-64 and 10,000 households with a dependent child aged 14 or older will be impacted by the changes. Additionally, individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, as well as youth aged 18-24 transitioning from foster care will be impacted. If a household member is subject to being classified as an Able Bodied Adult and does not meet work requirements, the household member may only be eligible for SNAP for three months and may not be able to reapply for 36 months (three years), or until Able Bodied Adult work requirements are met.

What can a SNAP participant or household member do if they are concerned that they are not meeting Able Bodied Adult work requirements or want to find out more information?
SNAP participants may contact the Department of Human Services through its Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643, and ask for information about the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program. Here is more information:

• SNAP E&T is a voluntary program that helps SNAP participants gain skills and find employment. It also assists households who need to comply with Able Bodied Adult work requirements.
• A DHS Eligibility Worker will first screen if a SNAP E&T referral is appropriate and then refer a SNAP participant to SNAP E&T for services.
• An Eligibility Worker can also answer any questions a SNAP participant may have regarding their SNAP eligibility.

How can I contact the SNAP E&T program directly?

Participants may contact one of the SNAP E&T providers listed below:

• Goodwill Hawaii Industries
  • Oahu: 808-792-8564
  • Maui: 808-442-8908

• Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR)
  • Hilo: 808-981-4540
  • Kona: 808-327-4762
  • Kauai: 808-241-3673

What other resources are available for Hawaiʻi families needing assistance with food?
A number of other food-related resources are available for households needing assistance. Households may contact the following resources for food assistance:

• DA BUX
  The DA BUX access card provides SNAP recipients with 50% discounts on select locally grown produce at grocery stores and participating food hubs.

• WIC
  WIC (Women, Infants and Children program) provides healthy food at no cost to pregnant individuals, new moms, infants and kids under 5 who are struggling to afford food. Dads, grandparents and other caregivers can apply for WIC for children in their care. Working families and non-U.S. citizens can qualify, as well.

• Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
  The free and reduced-price school meals program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to keiki each school day at public and participating charter schools at which they are enrolled.

• SUN Bucks
  SUN Bucks helps families with children buy groceries during the summer. SUN Bucks is generally for school-aged children in households with incomes that would qualify them for free or reduced-price school meals.

• SNAP Outreach Providers
  DHS contracts eight different nonprofits throughout the state to conduct outreach to households eligible for SNAP benefits and to provide assistance with referrals to food resources in the community.

• Aloha United Way 2-1-1
  Aloha United Way is a SNAP outreach provider that maintains a database that can provide referrals to other helpful food resources in your community.
  • Statewide: 211

• Hawaii Foodbank
  Hawaii Foodbank work together with its network of food partner agencies to serve the needs of the community on Oahu and Kauai.
  • Oahu: 808-836-3600
  • Kauai: 808-482-2224

• Hawaii Island Food Basket
  The Food Basket is Hawaii Island's Food Bank. The website includes information on how to locate food resources, including food pantries and soup kitchens on Hawaii island.
  • Hawaii Island: 808-933-6030

• Maui Food Bank
  The mission of Maui Food Bank is to end hunger in Maui County. The Maui Food Bank distributes over 8 million pounds of food each year, including 2.3 million pounds of fresh produce.
  • Maui: 808-243-9500