Updated Work Reporting Requirements
Adults without young kids who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) must show that they spend at least 80 hours per month working, job training through Michigan Works!, or a combination of both. Instead of working or training, you can volunteer for a nonprofit or community organization. To calculate the number of hours to volunteer, divide your monthly SNAP benefits by 13.73 (Michigan’s minimum wage). Every 3 years, you receive 3 months where you can still get SNAP even if you didn’t report your hours.
Reporting Requirement Exemptions
You may be exempt from general work reporting requirements if you:
- Live in exempted counties or cities, such as Detroit.
- Are older than 65.
- Have a child under 14 years old.
- Receive unemployment benefits.
- Care for a child under six or someone who is incapacitated.
- Cannot work because of a physical or mental disability.
- Regularly attend an alcohol or drug treatment program.
- Attend school or a training program at least half-time.
- Are an American Indian or Alaskan Native.
- Are pregnant.
Talk to your MDHHS case worker if you think you might be exempt.
How to Report
- Employment: Verify income with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
- Education or Training Program: Verify participation with Michigan Works.
- Community Service: Complete and submit a monthly Community Service Activity Report to MDHHS.
You’re required to report every month by the 7th of the following month.
The age at which a person is exempt rose from 55 to 65 years.
Parents and guardians of children aged 14 and older may need to report.
Exemptions removed for veterans, homeless individuals and former foster youth.
Reporting requirement waivers are restricted to areas where unemployment is higher than 10%.
Resources
Contact your local MDHHS office for a referral to approved employment and training programs or to confirm required community service hours. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs to find your local office.
Call United Way’s 211 Helpline to help you find employment services in your area, or visit mi211.org.
Visit tinyurl.com/LegalHelpSNAP for more information or if you don’t agree with or want to challenge a decision MDHHS makes about your benefits.
Visit doubleupfoodbucks.org to find a retailer participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program.
Changes for Immigrants
Many immigrants, including most refugees, asylees and survivors of human trafficking, can no longer receive SNAP.
Those eligible for SNAP are limited to:
- U.S. citizens.
- Green card holders (lawful permanent residents).
- Some Cuban or Haitian entrants.
- Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, who qualify as Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens.
Green card holders may apply after a five-year waiting period. However, the waiting period does not apply for those who are under the age of 18, blind, have a disability or have a direct connection to the U.S. military.