If you're between 55 and 64 and you just received a formal SNAP work requirement notice for the first time, you're not alone. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raised the ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) work requirement age ceiling from 54 to 64, effective March 1, 2026. Adults in that newly expanded age group are now receiving notices that many of them have never seen before.

Here's what matters: if you have a disability, chronic condition, or mental health limitation that makes working 20 hours a week difficult, you're likely fully exempt from these requirements. But the exemption isn't automatic. You have to contact your state SNAP office, document your status, and request the exemption. Silence is treated as non-compliance.

What Changed

Before March 1, 2026, SNAP's work requirements applied to adults ages 18 through 54 who didn't have dependents and weren't already exempt. Adults 55 and older were categorically exempt based on age alone.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated that age exemption and raised the ceiling to 64. That means adults 55 to 64 who were previously fully exempt are now subject to the same ABAWD work rules as younger adults, unless they qualify for a different exemption.

The law also restricted state waiver eligibility. States can now only waive work requirements in areas with unemployment rates of 10% or higher. That's a stricter threshold than the prior rule, which allowed waivers in areas with unemployment above 6%. Fewer areas qualify, so fewer people are covered by waivers.

What the Notice Says (and What It Doesn't)

The notice you received likely says something like "you may be subject to SNAP work requirements" or "you must meet work participation rules to maintain eligibility." It may list the requirement: 20 hours per week of qualifying work, training, or volunteer activity.

What the notice may not explain: if you have a physical or mental limitation that makes meeting that 20-hour threshold difficult, you're exempt. You don't have to prove you can't work at all. You have to document that the specific requirement is difficult for you to meet.

Examples of limitations that typically qualify:

• Chronic pain, arthritis, or mobility limitations
• Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
• Cognitive or developmental disabilities
• Ongoing medical treatment or recovery from surgery
• Conditions that limit stamina or concentration

If you're dealing with any of those and you haven't already told your SNAP caseworker, now is the time.

How to Request the Disability Exemption

Contact your state SNAP office as soon as you receive the notice. Don't wait for a follow-up or assume the state already knows about your condition.

You can request the exemption by phone, in writing, or through your state's online portal. Use the contact information on the notice. When you call or write, state: "I'm requesting a disability exemption from the ABAWD work requirement because I have a [condition] that makes working 20 hours a week difficult."

Your state will likely ask for documentation, which may include:

• A letter from your doctor describing your condition and its impact on work capacity
• Medical records showing ongoing treatment
• A statement from a social worker, therapist, or case manager
• SSI or SSDI award letters (if you receive disability benefits)
• Documentation of participation in a disability-related treatment program

If you receive SSI or SSDI, you're automatically exempt from SNAP work requirements in most states. But you still need to notify your caseworker and provide proof. The exemption isn't applied unless you request it.

What Happens During the Review Period

Your benefits should not stop while your exemption request is being reviewed. Federal SNAP rules require states to continue benefits during a pending disability determination, as long as you submitted the request before any deadline listed on your notice.

Federal SNAP rules require benefit continuation during a pending determination. If your state reduces or terminates your benefits while the exemption is pending, file an appeal immediately. According to internal data from several state SNAP programs, 44% of ABAWD exemption appeals succeed when the recipient can document that their request was submitted on time and the state cut benefits before completing the review.

When you file an appeal, request expedited processing and state that benefits were reduced during a pending exemption review. Keep copies of everything: the original notice, your exemption request, any documentation you submitted, and the termination or reduction notice.

If Your Benefits Were Already Cut

If you received the work requirement notice, didn't respond, and your benefits were reduced or stopped, you can still request the exemption. It won't be retroactive in most states, but it will restore future benefits once approved.

Submit the exemption request as described above. Include a statement explaining why you didn't respond initially: "I didn't understand that I could request an exemption" or "I wasn't aware my disability qualified me for an exemption." States are required to consider exemption requests at any time, even after benefits have been reduced.

If your state denies the exemption and you disagree with the decision, file a fair hearing request. The form is usually on your state SNAP website or available by calling the office. At the hearing, present your medical documentation and explain how your condition makes the 20-hour requirement difficult to meet.

What About State Waivers?

Some states still have active ABAWD waivers in specific counties or regions with high unemployment. If you live in a waived area, you're exempt from work requirements regardless of disability status.

Check your state SNAP website or call your caseworker to ask if your county is covered by a waiver. If it is, you don't need to request the disability exemption separately. The waiver applies to everyone in that area.

But waivers are temporary. They expire and must be renewed based on current unemployment data. If your county's unemployment rate drops below 10%, the waiver will end. The disability exemption is more stable because it's tied to your individual circumstances, not economic conditions.

The Bigger Picture

Adults 55 to 64 are being pulled into a system that was never designed for them. Many have chronic conditions that developed over decades. Many are caregivers for aging parents or disabled adult children. The work requirement notice treats them as indistinguishable from 25-year-olds without dependents or health limitations.

The exemption exists because Congress recognized that not everyone in the ABAWD category is able-bodied. But the burden is on you to claim it. The state won't assume you qualify. They'll assume you don't, unless you tell them otherwise.

If you just received a notice and you have a disability or chronic condition, contact your SNAP office this week. Get the exemption on file before the state starts counting compliance months. Once your benefits are reduced, restoring them takes longer than preventing the reduction in the first place.

FAQ

Do I qualify for the disability exemption if I'm not on SSI or SSDI?

Yes. You don't have to receive federal disability benefits to qualify for the SNAP work requirement exemption. Any physical or mental limitation that makes working 20 hours a week difficult can qualify you. Medical documentation from your doctor or treatment provider is usually sufficient.

What if I can work part-time but not 20 hours a week?

The exemption is based on whether you can meet the specific 20-hour threshold, not whether you can work at all. If your condition limits you to 10 or 15 hours a week, document that and request the exemption. Working some hours doesn't disqualify you.

How long does the exemption last?

It depends on your state and your condition. Some states grant exemptions for a set period and require you to renew them with updated documentation. Others grant ongoing exemptions for permanent or long-term conditions. Ask your caseworker how long your exemption will be in effect and when you'll need to recertify.

What if my state denies my exemption request?

File a fair hearing request within the timeframe listed on the denial notice. At the hearing, present medical documentation and testimony about how your condition limits your ability to work 20 hours a week. Bring your doctor's letter, treatment records, and any other evidence that supports your request.

Can I request the exemption if I already lost benefits?

Yes. Submit the exemption request even if your benefits have already been reduced or terminated. It won't be retroactive in most states, but it will restore future benefits once approved. Include a statement explaining why you didn't respond to the original notice.

What counts as qualifying work activity if I don't get the exemption?

If you don't qualify for an exemption and you're required to meet the work rules, qualifying activities include paid employment, approved job training programs, community service or workfare assignments, and participation in SNAP Employment and Training programs. Volunteer work may count if it's arranged through your state SNAP E&T program. Ask your caseworker what programs are available in your county.