Minnesota Minnesota

Combined Manual

Combined Manual


WHO IS EXEMPT FROM THE SNAP GENERAL WORK RULES

ISSUE DATE: 03/2026

MFIP, MSA, GA, HSP:
No provisions.


SNAP:
There are 2 sets of work rules for SNAP, general work rules and time-limited work rules. To determine who must follow these work rules see 0011.24 (Time-limited SNAP Recipients) and 0028.07 (General Work Rules for SNAP).

When determining what work rules a SNAP recipient must follow, the first step is to determine if they are exempt from the general work rules (AKA “Work Registration”). The SNAP Work Rules Screening Questions (DHS-8456) is not a mandatory form but is a helpful resource to screen for exemptions from the general work rules and time-limited work rules.

The following people are exempt from all SNAP work rules:

Unfit for employment
Individuals who have limitations to obtain or retain employment, whether temporary or permanent, may be determined to be unfit for employment and exempt from all work rules. For individuals who are unable to receive medical care, substance abuse or mental health treatment, you may need to identify these conditions. Consider all of the following when determining if someone meets this exemption:

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Physical illness, injury, disability, or limitation including but not limited to surgery recovery or rehabilitation.

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Receiving temporary or permanent disability benefits from Social Security Administration (SSA), Veteran’s Administration (VA), Workers Compensation (WC), or a private source.

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Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or addiction dependency which negatively impacts the individual’s fitness to work, even if not enrolled in a treatment program.

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Mental illness, disorder, or health condition including but not limited to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anger or emotional outbursts. When a client reports their mental health condition is a limitation to work, no additional verification is needed to give them this exemption, unless questionable. Requiring additional verification puts unnecessary burden on clients who meet this exemption.

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Homelessness: For the definition of homelessness, see 0002.29 (Glossary: Gross RSDI…).

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Domestic violence including but not limited to physical, emotional, psychological abuse and stalking or harassment. An experience of domestic violence may indicate that the individual is obviously unfit for work. The individual’s statement is sufficient verification unless questionable.


Responsible for the care of another person
Individuals responsible for caring for a person meeting one of the criteria below are exempt from SNAP work rules. The person requiring the care does not need to be in the same SNAP unit or in the same home as the caregiver. The client’s statement serves as verification unless questionable. Follow the guidelines below:

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Caring for a person who has a physical or mental illness, injury, or disability. Verification of the illness, injury, or disability is not required unless questionable. Case note who requires the care. More than one person may claim this exemption for the same person needing care.

Caring for a child under 6 years of age, even if childcare is available. When there is more than one child under the age of 6, one adult may claim the exemption for each child. Only 1 SNAP unit member may use this exemption for the same child unless special circumstances require more than one caregiver. If more than one SNAP unit member needs to use this exemption for the same child, document in case notes the circumstances that require multiple caregivers. When the child is NOT in the home of the caregiver, case note the child’s name and birthdate. For shared parenting situations, regardless of parenting time, this exemption is allowed only when the child is not already included in another SNAP unit.


Age
Allow this exemption to any individual that meets the age requirements listed below:

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Age 60 or older. Allow this exemption in the month the person turns 60. Note: Participants aged 60-64 are subject to the time-limited work rules. See 0011.24 (Time-Limited SNAP Recipients). Also see TEMP Manual TE02.05.70 (Coding the WREG Panel for SNAP) for system instructions for individuals aged 50-64.

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Under the age of 16.

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Age 16 or 17 living with a parent or caregiver. A person not living with a parent or caregiver can still receive this exemption if they are attending school or enrolled in an employment training program at least part-time.

 


Employed or Self-Employed
Allow this exemption for individuals employed or self-employed and meet one of the criteria below. Verification of wages and hours are required. Accept the self-employed individual’s statement as verification of hours worked.

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Working at least 30 hours per week, regardless of wage level, OR

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Earning equal to or more than 30 hours per week at federal minimum wage, regardless of actual hours worked.

 


Receiving Additional Benefits
Allow this exemption for individuals that are receiving one of the programs listed below:

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Unemployment Insurance (UI). A person who has applied for but is not yet receiving UI is also exempt if they are complying with the work requirements of the application process. Assist the client in obtaining proof of receipt of UI or proof of application and compliance with work requirements. If you are unable to obtain verification, recipients must provide proof.

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Matching Grant Program. This exemption is available to refugees receiving this program. For more information, see Matching Grant Program in 0002.39 (Glossary: Lump Sum…).

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MFIP. To receive this exemption, the recipient must be in compliance with the Employment Services requirement for these programs.


Program Participation
Allow this exemption for any individual participating in schooling or any of the programs listed below:

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Enrolled in school at least half-time. Half-time is defined by the school the person is enrolled at. This includes high school, a recognized training program or an Institution of Higher Education (IHE). For students attending IHE, they must meet eligibility for SNAP under the student criteria listed in 0011.18 (Students).

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Participating regularly in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program. There is no minimum weekly amount of time that a person must be attending. If the person is following the treatment and rehabilitation program plan, the exemption is available.

This exemption does not include participants in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Recipients meeting an exemption for part of a month are considered exempt for the entire month.

When a SNAP recipient meets an exemption listed above, they do not have to follow any work rules to receive SNAP benefits and are not a Time-limited Recipient (TLR). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Rules Notice (DHS-8159) (PDF) also does not need to be provided or reviewed with the SNAP unit.


Verification
For verification requirements, see 0010.18.02 (Mandatory Verifications – SNAP).


MAXIS
See TEMP Manual TE02.05.70 (Coding the WREG Panel for SNAP) for more system information on coding these exemptions.


Redetermination of an Exemption
Rescreen all SNAP unit members aged 16 and older for all exemptions at recertification. For changes to the client’s exemption status during the certification period, see 0008.06.01 (Implementing Changes – Program Provisions).


Documentation
Documentation in case notes is required when exempting an individual from work rules. Note the circumstances that describe how the individual meets an exemption and if the exemption is obvious or the verifications used. Also, clearly case note when an exemption is applied based on your own observation or information obtained in conversation with the unit.

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PREVIOUS REVISIONS

DateNotes
11/2025 in SNAP, updates the age range for someone who is exempt from the general work rules due to federal policy changes.
07/2025 updates title 0028.06.12 (Who is Exempt from SNAP Work Registration) to 0028.06.12 (Who is Exempt from the SNAP General Work Rules). In SNAP, adds policy updates for how eligibility workers act on changes known during the certification period. Also, adds updates about the homeless exemption.
08/2024 Adding that the DHS-8159 does not need to be reviewed when exempt from the general work rules. Revises the flow to match the new section about exemptions from the time-limited work rules. Also added clarification to several exemptions.
07/2023 Reorganizes the categories of exemptions. Expands the information on the child under 6 and unfit for employment exemptions.
02/2023 in SNAP updates and clarifies work exemption policy throughout
12/2021 in SNAP in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th paragraphs adds and deletes language for clarity.
01/2021 in SNAP adds CASE/NOTE reasonable time client meets Unfit for Employment. Deletes when participant in a training program under an EP may use provision to be exempt if the E&T program for low income units is operated by state/local government.
04/2020 in SNAP updates provisions throughout.
04/2018 in SNAP in the 4th paragraph in the 1st bullet adds a new sub-bullet that a person is unfit for employment if he/she is currently homeless.
12/2017 in SNAP clarifies documenting conversations with clients about meeting work registration exemptions. Updates ESL to English As a Second Language (ESL)/English Language Learning (ELL).
10/2017 in SNAP adds and deletes information throughout. These changes are being made as a result of the SNAP policy changes outlined in Bulletin 17-01-01.
12/2016 in SNAP in the 3rd from the last bullet corrects the name of the Employment Plan. It also deletes "One or more program components is equal to the components of the SNAP E&T program" as this is obsolete.
11/2016 in SNAP deletes the Training Program contact information as it is no longer accurate. In the next to last bullet clarifies that the exemption is available if the person is following the treatment and rehabilitation program plan.
09/2015 in SNAP deletes list of Qualified Professionals, adds language about Qualified Professionals, deletes statement that pregnancy does not routinely exempt a participant. Adds work registration requirements are waived if SSI denial is being appealed.
12/2013 changes section title and update cross-references to 0028.06.03 (Who Must Participate in Empl. Services/SNAP E&T), 0028.06.10 (Who Is Exempt From SNAP E&T). No policy was changed.

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