Does employment status affect your eligibility for food stamps/SNAP benefits? Can you get food stamps if you quit your job?
If you want to know whether you can get food stamps if you quit your job, the answer depends on several factors. Quitting a job doesn’t always mean you lose benefits automatically.
1. Can You Get Food Stamps Without a Job?
You can still qualify for food stamps/SNAP benefits even if you don’t have a job, but certain conditions must be met. SNAP has work requirements for many adult applicants, but numerous exemptions exist.
1.1. General Work Requirements
If you are between the ages of 16 and 59 and not exempt from work requirements, you are expected to:
- Register for work
- Accept suitable job offers
- Not voluntarily quit a job or reduce work hours to less than 30 hours per week without good cause
- Participate in state-assigned employment and training (E&T) programs, if referred
If you fail to meet these requirements without a valid exemption or good cause, you may be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits. Each state may impose sanctions, such as temporary disqualification periods (e.g., one month for the first violation).
However, many individuals are exempt from these work requirements. If you fall into one of the exempt categories below, you’re not required to meet the general work rules:
- Under 16 or over 59 years old
- Physically or mentally unfit for work
- Caring for a child under 6 or an incapacitated household member
- Already working at least 30 hours per week or earning wages equivalent to 30 hours at the federal minimum wage
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1.2. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)
If you are an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) (aged 18–54, physically able to work, with no dependents), stricter rules apply. You are expected to meet additional work requirements, including at least one of the following, to receive food stamps for more than three months in a 36-month period:
- Working at least 80 hours per month, which can include paid, unpaid, or volunteer work
- Participating in a work program like SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) for at least 80 hours per month
- Engaging in workfare, where you perform community service in exchange for benefits
- Combining work and training activities to meet the 80-hour threshold
If you don’t meet these requirements and are not exempt, your SNAP benefits are limited to only three months in any 36-month period.
ABAWD exemptions include:
- Physical or mental incapacity
- Pregnancy
- Being responsible for a child under 18 (even if not your own)
- Being a veteran, homeless, or a former foster youth under 25
- Living in an area with an approved state waiver due to high unemployment or a lack of jobs
States can request temporary waivers from the federal government to suspend ABAWD time limits in specific areas with unemployment rates over 10% or insufficient jobs to provide employment for ABAWDs, according to the USDA. Besides, states receive a limited number of discretionary exemptions annually that they can use to exempt individuals on a case-by-case basis.
This means the ABAWD time limits may not apply in some regions.
According to the SNAP State Options Report, 14 U.S. states and territories have full statewide waivers from the SNAP work requirements for ABAWDs: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and the Virgin Islands. In addition, 21 states have partial waivers that apply to specific counties or regions within the state.
2. Can You Get Food Stamps If You Quit Your Job?
As explained in Section 1, under SNAP’s general work requirements, you must register for work during the SNAP application process if you are between the ages of 16 and 59 and not otherwise exempt from work requirements.
If you are not exempt from work requirements and you quit your job, it may affect your eligibility. But it doesn’t always mean you’ll be disqualified from the program.
According to the SNAP’s general work rules, you must not voluntarily quit a job or reduce your work hours below 30 per week without good cause.
→ If you are not exempt and voluntarily quit your job without a good reason when applying for food stamps, you may be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a certain period, often starting with at least one month, with longer penalties for repeat violations.
As a result, you may still qualify for SNAP benefits if you had a reasonable reason for quitting or if you qualify for an exemption (see Section 1).
- Some good causes or acceptable reasons for quitting a job may include unsafe or unhealthy working conditions, discrimination or harassment, transportation, and more.
- In case your coworker determines that your reason for quitting was justified, you may still qualify for food stamps.
- If you’re an ABAWD, stricter time limits and work requirements apply. If ABAWDs don’t work or participate in the SNAP E&T program for at least 80 hours per month, or aren’t exempt, they can only get food stamps for 3 months in a 36-month period. (See Section 1 for details on ABAWD rules.)
The simplest way to know if you qualify for SNAP is to apply. Reach out to your state or local SNAP office to apply. You can submit your application online, in person, by mail, or by fax. This depends on your state.
3. Other Support Programs If You’re Unemployed
Beyond SNAP, many other government assistance programs can help you with financial challenges.
Lifeline is a well-known government assistance program that offers discounted or free phone services to low-income residents.
Generally, eligible customers can save up to $9.25 per month on their cell phone bills. Certain Lifeline providers also offer discounted or free devices, like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, as part of their plans.
Lifeline eligibility does not depend on your employment status. Even if you’re not working, don’t hesitate to apply for Lifeline. You can qualify for Lifeline in two main ways:
- Based on income: If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you are eligible for the program.
- Through government assistance programs: You may qualify for the benefits if you or someone in your household participates in one of the certain assistance programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid. If you live on Tribal lands, there are additional Tribal-specific programs that may qualify you for Lifeline.
Now, check the guide with easy-to-follow steps for applying for Lifeline through AirTalk Wireless.
Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also help.
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Conclusion
If you quit your job, you may still qualify for food stamps depending on your situation and exemptions. Contact your state SNAP office or visit official websites for more details about the work requirements and eligibility.