If you are applying for food stamp benefits in Florida or are currently receiving benefits, it is important to know the Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements. This will not only help you get approved for benefits, but keep your SNAP EBT benefits as well.
Additionally, if you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWDs), there are special rules that apply.
To learn more about the Work Requirements for food stamps in Florida, including how to qualify and who is exempt from the SNAP requirements, continue reading below.
In this article, we will cover:
- Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements for 2023
- FL SNAP Work Requirement Exemptions
- What Happens if you Fail SNAP Work Requirements
- ABAWD Food Stamps Work Requirements
- What Happens if you Fail ABAWD Work Requirements?
- Florida Food Stamps Work Requirements FAQs
What are Food Stamps Work Requirements?
The Food Stamps Program is the largest and most effective safety net for Americans facing financial instability and hardship.
SNAP feeds about 41 million Americans annually, at an average cost of $2.42 per meal.
The Food Stamps Program in Florida has two sets of work requirements – a general work requirement that applies to all program participants and one for Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD).
Any individual considered an ABAWD, must meet both the general and ABAWD work requirements to receive food stamp benefits in Florida.
In addition, Florida has a special rule that requires the head of household to meet all work requirements. If they do not, then the entire household will be disqualified from benefits.
To learn more about the Florida SNAP Work Requirements for 2023, continue reading below.
Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements for 2023
The primary goal of the Florida Food Stamps Program is to help low-income individuals and households afford nutritious food.
Additionally, the program seeks to help recipients achieve self-sufficiency by emphasizing the importance of work – through the food stamps work requirements.
Current federal law states that adults ages 16 to 59 must meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits in Florida.
The Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements for 2023 include:
- Registering for work
- Participating in a SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Program
- Completing workfare assigned by your state SNAP agency
- Not voluntarily reducing work hours below 30hrs per week
- Not voluntarily quitting a job
- Accepting a suitable job with 30 hours of work per week
You must meet one of the listed work requirements for food stamps in Florida to qualify for benefits or to continue receiving monthly benefits.
If you fail to meet the food stamp work requirements, you will be denied benefits.
However, there are cases where you may be exempt from meeting the Florida Food Stamps Work Requirements. To find out who does not have to meet the work requirements for food stamps in Florida, then continue reading below.
Florida SNAP Work Requirement Exemptions
Select individuals do not have to meet the SNAP work requirement rules in Florida to receive benefits.
You are excused from the Florida Food Stamps Work Requirements if you are:
- Already working at least 30 hours a week (or earning wages at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours)
- Meeting work requirements for another program (TANF or unemployment compensation)
- Taking care of a child under the age of 6 or an incapacitated person
- Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation
- Participating regularly in an alcohol or drug treatment program
Studying in school or a training program at least part-time* (*college students are subject to other eligibility rules).
What Happens if you fail the SNAP Work Requirements?
If you do not meet the SNAP work requirements in Florida, you will be disqualified from getting food stamp benefits for at least a month.
In addition, you must meet the requirements in order to start receiving Florida SNAP EBT benefits again.
Once you meet the requirements, you cannot fail to meet the Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements again. If you fail to do so, you will be disqualified from receiving food stamp benefits for a longer period of time – and potentially, forever.
ABAWD Food Stamps Work Requirements for 2023
If you are between the ages of 18 and 49, are able to work, do not have children and are not disabled, you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD).
Stricter SNAP work requirements apply to able-bodied adults without dependents.
In fact, federal law requires that ABAWDs meet special work requirements in order to get benefits for more than 3 months within a 3-year period. This is called the ABAWD time limit.
What are ABAWD Food Stamps Work Requirements in Florida?
Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) can only receive SNAP EBT benefits in Florida for 3 months in a 3-year period.
You can meet the Florida ABAWD Work Requirement by doing any of the following:
- Work at least 80 hours a month – work can be for pay, for goods or services, unpaid, or volunteer.
- Participate in a Work Program at least 80 hours a month – includes the SNAP Employment and Training or another federal, state, or local work program.
- Work and participate in a Work Program for a combined total of at least 80 hours per month.
- Participate in workfare for the number of hours assigned to you each month (the number of hours will depend on the amount of your SNAP benefit).
ABAWD Food Stamps Work Exemptions
Similar to the general food stamps work requirements in Florida, there are exemptions to the work requirements for ABAWDs. There are particular cases in which an ABAWD does not have to meet the Work Requirement rules.
If one of the following ABAWD Food Stamps Work Exemptions applies to you, you can receive Florida food stamps for more than three months.
You are excused from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit if you are:
- Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation
- Are currently Pregnant
- Have someone under 18 in your SNAP household
- Excused from the general SNAP work requirements
What Happens if you fail the ABAWD Work Requirements?
If you fail to meet the ABAWD work requirements in Florida, you will lose your benefits once your three-month period has been exhausted. You must meet the ABAWD food stamps work requirements to receive FL SNAP benefits beyond the 3-month period.
At that point, to receive Florida SNAP benefits again you must:
- Meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period, or
- become excused by filing a waiver with your state.
Otherwise, you need to wait until your 3-year period restarts. At that time, you will be able to get another three months of benefits until the ABAWD time limit expires.
ABAWD Time Limit
The ABAWD time limit for food stamps recipients is 3 months in a 3-year period.
However, the law allows states to temporarily waive the ABAWD time limit for those households in areas that do not have a sufficient number of jobs.
Areas that qualify for the ABAWD time limit exemption are those with an Unemployment Rate over 10 percent.
However, an ABAWD time limit waiver does not waive the general SNAP work requirements. These will still apply to your household.
To get excused from the ABAWD time limit and work requirements, check out the ABAWD Waivers Status for Florida.
Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about work requirements for food stamps in Florida.
How many hours do you have to work to get food stamps in Florida?
If you are age 18 – 59 and able to work, you must meet the general work requirements in order to receive food stamps in Florida.
To meet the Florida Work Requirements, you must:
- Be registered for work
- Not quit a job voluntarily
- Not voluntarily reduce hours at a job
- Accept a suitable job that is offered (The job must be 30 hours weekly or equal to 30 hours X minimum wage).
If you are considered an Able-bodied Adult without Dependents (children or a disabled individual), you must meet BOTH the general and ABAWD work requirements.
What are the food stamp work requirements for ABAWDs?
An ABAWD must meet the work requirements each month to continue to receive food stamp benefits.
They include the following:
- Working or volunteering 80 hours per month
- Participating 80 hours per month in a LWDB (Local Workforce Development Boards) work program
- Completing a combination of these activities to average 80 hours per month
In addition, CareerSource requires that you to track your hours by informing your assigned worker. Failure to contact CareerSource will result in your Florida SNAP benefits ending.
If you are already meeting the work requirements and you receive a notice to complete orientation, contact the DCF and ask the eligibility specialist to review your information.
What should an ABAWD do to maintain SNAP if not employed at least 20 hours a week?
If the ABAWD is not participating in work or a qualifying work/training program and wants to continue to receive SNAP benefits beyond the three-month time limit, then they must contact their local food stamps office to ask for help enrolling in a qualifying activity.
The local food stamps office is required to offer and provide a qualifying work or training opportunity to all individuals who are subject to the Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements.
What do I do if I am unable to work?
If you are unable to work due to a good cause, you may not have to participate in SNAP Employment & Training Program in Florida.
Good cause includes temporary circumstances beyond a person’s control, such as:
- Illness
- Illness of another household member
- A household emergency
Other reasons than those listed above may also be considered a good cause. To find out, please contact the Florida DCF and discuss your situation.
To report this change, you may login to your My ACCESS Florida online account and select “Report a Change” or contact customer service by calling 850-300-4323.
For more questions related to the Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements – either general or ABAWD requirements, check out the complete list of FL SNAP FAQs here.
Florida Food Stamp Work Requirements Summary
We hope this post on the work requirements on food stamps in Florida was helpful to you. If you have any questions about the general or ABAWD Food Stamp Work Requirements in Florida, please let us know in the comments section below.
If you have additional questions about the Florida Food Stamps Program or FL SNAP EBT Card, please let us know.
In the meantime, for more help on with your Florida Food Stamp benefits, check out our other articles here:
Florida Food Stamps Income Limit for 2023
FL SNAP Food Stamps Eligibility Guide (2023)
Florida Food Stamps Application FAQs
Florida EBT Card Discounts and Freebies
Free Admission with Florida EBT Card
Florida Food Stamps Calculator
