Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Program

Changes to Work Rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

More people with an ABAWD status must meet work requirements to keep SNAP for longer than three months. The expanded age now includes people 18 to 64 with no children under 14 on their SNAP case.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law House Resolution One (H.R.1). This law expanded ages of those who need to follow ABAWD Work Rules. Oregon will begin applying the new rules on Oct. 1, 2025. People who don’t meet the ABAWD work rules may lose SNAP benefits after 3 months.

Counties that are exempt (starting Feb. 1, 2026)
People who live in the following counties can report an exemption because their county doesn't have a WorkSource Oregon Center:

• Crook, Gilliam, Jefferson, Lake, Morrow, Sherman, Wheeler

For more information about the ABAWD program, click on this link to the ODHS site:  https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/food/pages/snap-time-limits.aspx 

Welcome to the Oregon Employment Department!
Whether you're exploring new possibilities or taking the next step in your career, the ABAWD Program is here to help you move forward with confidence. Think of this as a team effort — you bring your goals, and we bring the support to help you reach them.

Our coaches work with you one‑on‑one, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical tools to help you succeed. Depending on your needs, we may be able to provide:

• Coaching that makes the job‑search process easier, from applications to interview preparation
• Tuition assistance for approved training and skill development
• Resources to make sure you have the items you need to stay on track
• Continued check‑ins and coaching for 90 days after you start a new job

We’re here to make the process easier, clearer, and more encouraging — and to help you build a path toward work that feels meaningful to you.

USDA Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.

The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
 

Mail:

Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or
 

Fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
 

Email:

FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.