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SNAP Work Requirements This page provides information about the general work requirements and the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirement for the Virgin Islands. IMPORTANT UPDATE On July 4th, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed into law, House Resolution One (H.R. 1), also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBB). The OBBB made changes to the ABAWD work requirement. This means that some SNAP recipients will have to meet certain work requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits. Changes to SNAP Work Requirements The federal government’s rules on SNAP work requirements are changing. Starting March 1, 2026, under these new federal rules, certain people will have to meet SNAP work requirements to get or keep their Virgin Islands SNAP benefits. These rules apply to you if you: • Are between the ages of 18 and 64 years old • Do not have a dependent child under 14 years old in the household • Are considered physically and mentally able to work at least 20 hours per week Learn more about the Virgin Islands SNAP Work Requirements What are the general SNAP work requirements? The Virgin Islands general SNAP work requirements apply to people between the ages of 16 and 59 who are able to work. The general SNAP work requirements are known as work registration in the Virgin Islands. If you are subject to work registration rules you must take a suitable job if offered and not voluntarily quit a job or reduce your work hours below 30 hours each week without a good reason if you are working. You can be excused from work registration if you are: ▪ Younger than age 16, or age 60 or older. ▪ Responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 6 or an incapacitated person ▪ Working at least 30 hours a week or earning at least $217.50 each week before taxes. ▪ Getting or applying for unemployment benefits. ▪ Getting or applying for disability benefits from any source (disability benefits include, but are not limited to pensions, workers’ compensation, disability insurance, Social Security, and veteran’s benefits). ▪ A person physically or mentally unfit for employment ▪ Going to school, college, or a training program at least half-time (additional student eligibility rules may apply). ▪ Meeting the work rules for another program, like the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program ▪ In a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program What is the ABAWD Work Requirement and what does it mean? The ABAWD work requirement is a federal rule. People who are considered ABAWDs can only get 3 full months of SNAP benefits every 3 years. ABAWDs may get benefits for longer than 3 months if they are working or excused from the work requirement. The ABAWD work requirement applies to you if you: ▪ Are between the ages of 18 and 64 years old; ▪ Do not have a dependent child under 14 years old; ▪ Are considered physically and mentally able to work at least 20 hours per week If the ABAWD work requirement applies to you, you will need to have a job, volunteer, or be enrolled in school or a job training program. If you’re working, you must work an average of 20 hours each week or earn $217.50 per week before taxes. If you’re in school or a training program, you must have total class time of 20 hours each week (80 hours monthly) or be enrolled at least half-time. If you do not meet this requirement, you will only be able to get SNAP benefits for three months over a three-year period. How can I be excused from the ABAWD work requirement? You may be excused from the ABAWD work requirement if you are: • Exempt from the general work requirements, except when the exemption is solely due to being 18-59 years • Younger than age 18, or age 65 or older • Responsible for a dependent child under 14 in the SNAP household • Pregnant • Are “An Indian”, An Urban Indian” or “A California Indian”. • Experiencing a physical or mental barrier to employment that lasts for at least 30 days and is certified by a licensed physician or certified psychologist. ##End##