How the math works
SNAP's time limit asks adults 18 through 64 without a child under 14 to work, train, or volunteer about 80 hours a month. But for volunteering, many states use a different number. FRAC, a national anti-hunger group, explains that many states (but not all) take the household's monthly SNAP benefit and divide it by the state's minimum wage. FRAC calls this the "workfare" calculation. Some let adults in the same home split those hours.
| Monthly SNAP | Wage used | Volunteer hours |
|---|---|---|
| $232 | $7.25 (Alabama) | 32 |
| $232 | $17.00 (New York City) | 13.6 |
| $292 | $7.25 (Pennsylvania) | about 41 |
The Alabama and New York City examples are FRAC's. The Pennsylvania one is from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
Before you count on this number
- Ask your SNAP office which rule they use. Some states count volunteering toward the regular 80 hours instead. Your notice may already list your number.
- Ask where you can volunteer. Some states only accept certain sites. Our guide on where to volunteer has questions to ask first.
- Get every month signed. Use your state's form if it has one, or our free volunteer hours letter.
For the full picture, read how volunteering counts for SNAP or look up your state in our state-by-state table.