Free · 2025 law

SNAP time limit checker: does it apply to you?

The 2025 law widened who must meet SNAP's work rule to keep food benefits. Tick everything that fits you to see where you probably stand, then confirm with your state.

A sheet of 25-cent food order stamps from 1939 — A sheet of 25-cent food order stamps, 1939

Tool

Does the 3-month time limit apply to you?

Tick everything that fits. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.

Your state

I'm between 18 and 64 years oldA child under 14 in my household depends on meI'm pregnantA physical or mental health condition keeps me from workingI work 30+ hours a week, care for someone who can't care for themselves, get unemployment, am in drug or alcohol treatment, or go to school at least half timeI'm an American Indian or Alaska NativeI work, volunteer or am in a work program at least 80 hours a month

A guide only, based on USDA's description of the 2025 changes. Your state SNAP agency decides whether the time limit applies to you.

Get an alert when the numbers change

These figures change every year. We'll tell you in plain English when they do, and when rules change. No spam.

First name

Mobile number (optional, for text alerts)

Text me benefit alerts. By leaving the box checked, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. I also consent to Perry Marketing LLC placing automated, prerecorded, or AI-generated marketing emails, calls, and texts (including SMS and MMS) to the number provided above. Contact frequency varies and may occur outside of 8 AM to 9 PM. Consent to receive marketing communications is not a condition of purchase. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for help. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

By signing up, you agree to receive emails from KPCB Edge about government benefits, deadlines, program changes and related offers. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Privacy Policy · Terms of Service

Want to go further? Our free Academy walks you through the application step by step. Open the Academy

How it works

How the numbers are worked out

If the time limit applies to you, you can get SNAP for only 3 months in a 3-year period unless you spend at least 80 hours a month on work, volunteering or community service, or an approved work program such as SNAP Employment and Training.

Since the 2025 law the time limit covers adults up to age 64 (it stopped at 54 before), and the parent exception covers only someone with a child under 14 in the household.

You are not covered if you are pregnant, can't work because of a physical or mental health condition, have a child under 14 in your household, or are already excused from SNAP's general work rules. USDA's guidance adds an exception for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Free lesson: the 3-month time limit after the 2025 law

This is an estimate, not a decision. KPCB Edge is an independent publisher, not a government agency, and only the agency that runs the program can decide whether you qualify.

Good to know

Questions about this tool

What counts toward the 80 hours?

Any mix of paid work (including work in exchange for goods or services), volunteering or community service, and SNAP Employment and Training or another approved work program.

What changed in 2025?

The time limit now applies to adults up to age 64, the parent exception covers only a child under 14 instead of under 18, and the separate exceptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and young adults who aged out of foster care were removed. States can also ask for waivers only for areas with unemployment over 10%, plus some areas in Alaska and Hawaii.

Can I get SNAP back after losing it?

Yes. If you lose SNAP because of the time limit, you can get it back by meeting the 80-hour requirement for 30 days in a row. Ask your SNAP office about SNAP Employment and Training, which counts toward your hours.

Is this checker official?

No. It gives a rough answer from what you tick. Only your state SNAP agency can decide whether the time limit applies to you.

More free tools

Keep going

Benefit finderAnswer a few questions and see which of twelve programs may be worth applying for.Section 8 income limit lookupHUD's income limits for your county and household size, and where your income falls.Section 8 rent calculatorEstimate your share of the rent with a voucher, using HUD's formula.SNAP benefit calculatorEstimate your monthly SNAP benefit for October 2026 to September 2027.

See all free tools

Sources