What documentation is required to prove an age- or category-based exemption from SNAP work requirements in 2025?
Executive summary
States expanded SNAP work rules in 2025 mean many recipients must now either document they meet exemption criteria or show 80 hours/month (≈20 hrs/week) of work, training, volunteering or E&T to avoid the ABAWD time limit; federal guidance requires states to screen and notify households and states may ask for proof such as medical forms, paystubs, employer or volunteer letters [1] [2] [3]. Pennsylvania and other states explicitly tell recipients to return screening or medical exemption forms and to provide employer or provider documentation during application or recertification [4] [5] [6].
1. What federal guidance requires and what it means on the ground
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) told states to immediately screen applicants and recertifications for the modified ABAWD exception criteria created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, and to give households a consolidated written notice plus an oral explanation of applicable work requirements and exemptions [1] [2]. That federal direction establishes the obligation for states to ask recipients during intake or recertification whether they meet an exemption and to request documentation where required [2].
2. Typical documentation states ask for
State and advocacy materials consistently say states will request proof when needed: common items include a completed Medical Exemption Form signed by a doctor or therapist for health-based exemptions, paystubs or employer letters to document hours worked, volunteer coordinator letters or time sheets for volunteer activity, and lease or shelter documents to verify homelessness where applicable [3] [5] [7]. Pennsylvania’s guidance specifically instructs returning a screening checklist and a signed Medical Exemption Form to the County Assistance Office when claiming a health exemption [4] [6].
3. Age- and category-based exemptions and the paperwork they trigger
Federal and state sources make clear age still matters: individuals aged 60 and older remain exempt from the general SNAP work registration rules under FNS guidance, so states must not require those 60+ to participate in mandatory E&T; however, ABAWD time-limit rules and age cutoffs shifted—many states now screen people through age 64 for ABAWD requirements—so age documentation (ID or birth certificate) may be used to verify eligibility for exemption [2] [1]. States also altered caregiver and dependent-age criteria (for example lowering child-age exemption thresholds), and when a household claims an exemption because of caring for a child under the state’s threshold they will likely be asked to show custody or relationship evidence—items states list include household composition on application and supporting documents (available sources do not mention a single national list of custody documents required) [8] [9].
4. Medical and disability exemptions: what you must provide
Multiple state pages and FNS guidance state medical or disability exemptions typically require a medical statement or form completed by a licensed provider, and districts can request a doctor’s note or other documentation showing a physical or mental health reason, pregnancy, or participation in substance-use treatment [7] [5] [1]. Several sources warn a pending disability application alone may not suffice and that the caseworker will tell you when proof is necessary [10] [5].
5. Employment, training, and volunteer proof: common formats
To prove you meet the 80-hour/month requirement, states advise keeping paystubs, work schedules, employer letters confirming hours, time sheets, or volunteer verification forms; Oregon explicitly lists paystubs and letters from employers or volunteer coordinators as acceptable proof [3] [11]. Advocacy groups and state notices repeatedly urge people to track hours carefully and submit verification at application, recertification, or when contacted by the caseworker [12] [5].
6. Where to submit documents and when
States are implementing screenings at application or recertification and will mail screening checklists in many jurisdictions; Pennsylvania and Delaware instruct recipients to return screening forms and proofs to County Assistance Offices or state portals and to call local numbers if they need help [4] [6] [9]. FNS requires states to give notice and an opportunity to submit additional information before terminating benefits [12] [2].
7. Disputes, waivers and practical risks
FNS and multiple news outlets note that states can request discretionary waivers and the USDA is approving waivers on a case-by-case basis, but rollout has been chaotic and administrative burdens are rising; experts warn many people risk losing benefits if they can’t produce timely documentation [2] [13]. The Congressional Budget Office and policy groups project millions could be cut off by the 2025 changes unless waivers or state discretion mitigate the effect [14] [15].
Limitations and takeaways
This analysis summarizes what federal guidance and state materials in the provided reporting say about the paperwork you’ll likely be asked to produce: medical exemption forms signed by providers, paystubs or employer/volunteer letters, and state screening checklists returned to the caseworker [2] [3] [4]. Available sources do not list a single, nationwide checklist of every document that will be accepted; requirements and submission processes vary by state and county, so contact your state SNAP office or your caseworker and retain originals of paystubs, medical statements, employer letters and the screening form when asked [5] [6].