On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (HR 1) was signed into law. This federal law makes changes to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It changes the exemptions for the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) 3-out-of-36-month time limit and work requirement.

New Law (Effective July 4, 2025)

Exemptions removed:

• Veterans
• People experiencing homelessness
• Former foster youth 

Other changes:

• Age range expanded: ABAWD requirements now apply to individuals aged 18–64.
• Parental exemption narrowed: Now only applies to parents or adults with children under 14 in the assistance group.
• New exemption added: Indians, Urban Indians and California Indians.

What Does This Mean?

Beginning March 2026, individuals who were previously exempt from the 20-hour-per-week work requirement may lose that exemption and will be required to meet the work requirement.

Who Is Exempt From the 20-Hour Work Requirement?

Age 59 and under

You may be exempt if you are:

• Pregnant
• Residing with another assistance group member who is under the age of 14
• An Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian
• Responsible for the care of an incapacitated person
• Applying for or receiving unemployment compensation benefits
• Physically or mentally unfit for employment
• Participating in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program
• A student enrolled at least half time
• Employed or self-employed and working at least 30 hours per week

Age 60-64
You may be exempt if you are:

• Pregnant
• Residing with another assistance group member who is under the age of 14
• An Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian
• Physically or mentally unfit for employment

How Do I Report and Verify an Exemption?

If you believe you meet one of the exemptions listed above for your age group:

• Use the Ohio Benefits Self-service Portal (SSP) at ssp.benefits.ohio.gov to report change and upload documents, or 
• Contact your local JFS office at (844) 640-6446 to report that you meet a SNAP work requirement exemption. You can also contact the JFS office at (844) 640-6446 to report you meet a SNAP work requirement exemption.]

What if I am not exempt?

If we determine that you do not meet any exemption criteria, you will receive a notice in early February 2026. The notice will explain:

• That you are required to meet the work requirement
• How you can meet the requirement
• What happens if you do not meet it

Ways to Meet the Work Requirement

You can meet the requirement by:

• Working or volunteering 20 hours per week
  Participate in an employment or work program funded or operated by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Trade Act of 1974, department of labor or the department of veteran affairs.
• Joining the SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) Program
• SNAP E&T helps participants build skills and find work.
• The program is flexible and designed to meet you where you are. 
• To enroll, call 330-643-6577 or submit a SNAP E&T request through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal at ssp.benefits.ohio.gov.
• Participating in a combination of work and a work program/SNAP E&T

[ Click here for more information about the SNAP E&T Program ]