Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Work Requirements
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families and individuals pay for food. The program is also designed to help recipients become self-sufficient through employment and training activities. Employment and training activities aim to increase work experience and skills, so individuals can work towards a career path.
In Ohio, able-bodied adults (ABAs) are required to participate in a work activity. When residents apply for SNAP, a screening is completed for everyone ages 16-64 years old to determine if there is a work requirement.
General Work Requirements
In general, individuals are considered a required work registrant if they are:
- At least 18 years old, but not yet 60;
- Mentally and physically able to work (Able-bodied); or
- Not in an assistance group with a child under the age of 6
General Work Requirement Exemptions
- Under Age 16
- Age 16 or 17, attending school full-time and not Primary Applicant
- Age 60 or over
- Physically/Mentally unfit for work
- Employed/Self Employed at least 30 hours per week OR earning wages equal to federal minimum wage x 30 hours
- Caring for incapacitated person
- Student enrolled at least half-time
- Applied for SSI & SNAP at Social Security Office
- Participant in drug/alcohol treatment program
- Complying with Cash work requirements
- Caring for a child under age 6
- Recipient/applicant complying with Unemployment Compensation
If you do not meet an exemption, you are considered a work registrant and:
- Must respond to an information request regarding employment and availability
- Must report to a suitable employer if referred by Cuyahoga Job and Family Services
- Must accept an offer of suitable employment when referred by Cuyahoga Job and Family Services
- Must not voluntarily quit a job or reduce work hours below 30 hours per week without good cause
A work registrant in receipt of SNAP benefits who fails or refuses without good cause to meet a
General Work Requirement will be sanctioned as follows:
| Occurrence | Sanction Period |
|---|---|
| 1st failure or refusal | Ineligibility for one (1) SNAP benefit month |
| 2nd failure or refusal | Ineligibility for three (3) SNAP benefit months |
| 3rd failure or refusal | Ineligibility for six (6) SNAP benefit months |
The SNAP applicant would be ineligible for SNAP for a specific period of time.
| Occurrence | Ineligibility Period |
|---|---|
| 1st occurrence | Ineligibility for one (1) SNAP benefit month |
| 2nd occurrence | Ineligibility for three (3) SNAP benefit months |
| 3rd occurrence | Ineligibility for six (6) SNAP benefit months |
A Cuyahoga County eligibility specialist can guide you on regaining eligibility if you experience an ineligibility period or sanction.
Able-Bodied Adults (ABA) Work Requirements
After everyone ages 16-59 are screened for general work requirements, if an exemption is not met, they are screened for the Able-Bodied Adult (ABA) work requirement. Everyone ages 60-64 must also be screened for the ABA work requirement; there is not a general work requirement for this age group.
ABA Work Requirement Exemptions
If you are age 60-64, you would be considered exempt from ABA work requirements, if you are:
- Pregnant;
- Residing with another assistance group member who is under the age of 14;
- An Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian; or
- Physically or mentally unfit for employment.
If you are age 59 or younger, you may meet one of the above exemptions, or one of the following exemptions if you are:
- Responsible for the care of an incapacitated person;
- Applying for or receiving unemployment compensation benefits;
- Participating in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program;
- A student enrolled at least half time; or
- Employed or self-employed and working a minimum of thirty hours per week.
*Note: These additional 5 exemptions for the age group of 59 and younger do not apply to the 60-64 age group.
If you do not meet an exemption, you are considered a work required ABA who is:
- Paid employment;
- Qualified training such as the voluntary SNAP Employment and Training Program ; or
- Community service (unpaid work).
This requirement is different from a general work requirement for SNAP.
You must use the ABA Verification of Unpaid Hours form to verify unpaid work hours used to fulfill the work requirement. To find the form online, visit https://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/ and search for the form number “7410” or “ABA Verification of Unpaid Hours”. The monthly hours are to be verified at certification, recertification and anytime that an ABA reports a change in the nature of the work (e.g., hours, location, entity the work is performed for, etc.). The form should be submitted to Cuyahoga Job and Family Services:
- By Mail/In-Person: 1641 Payne Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114
- Online: ssp.benefits.ohio.gov
If you do not meet the required ABA work requirement, you risk losing SNAP benefits.
- You will lose SNAP benefits after 3 months within a 3-year period; to get them back, you must meet the work requirement for 30 days or get an exemption, otherwise you must wait out the time limit.
- An able-bodied adult (ABA) is not eligible to participate in SNAP as a member of any assistance group when the ABA has received benefits for three countable months during any 36-month period.
- If you are included in an assistance group with “other household members” and you do not cooperate, you will be removed, and the others will continue to receive SNAP.
A Cuyahoga County eligibility specialist can guide you on regaining eligibility if you lose your SNAP.
Learn more about ABA work requirements in the Frequently Asked Questions