SNAP Employment and Training (E&T)
Under 7 USC 2015(d), SNAP E&T is mandatory in all 50 states. Provides job training, education, work experience, and reimbursements to SNAP recipients — completely FREE. And participants are AUTOMATICALLY exempt from the ABAWD 80-hr/month work requirement. ~700K participants annually, but many eligible do not enroll because they don\u0027t know.
1. What is SNAP E&T?
- Mandatory federal program — every state must operate SNAP E&T under 7 USC 2015(d)(1)
- Voluntary for participants — most participants choose E&T (SNAP eligibility doesn\u0027t require E&T in waiver states)
- Services covered — job training, education (GED, ESL, college), work experience, job search, counseling
- Reimbursements — child care, transport, books, tools, uniforms
2. Automatic ABAWD exemption
- Under 7 CFR 273.24(b)(1), participating in SNAP E&T counts as meeting ABAWD requirement
- You don\u0027t need to work 80 hr/month while enrolled
- SNAP benefits continue without the 3-month-every-3-years limit
- More on ABAWD →
3. Types of E&T services
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Job skills training | welding, CDL, coding, healthcare, office, etc. |
| Basic education | GED / HiSet / HS equivalency |
| ESL | English as Second Language |
| College / vocational | some states pay for community college classes |
| Work experience | paid internships / apprenticeships |
| Job search | resume workshop, interview prep, networking |
| Workfare | assigned to job (paid at SNAP rate) |
| Counseling / wraparound | mental health, substance abuse, family assistance |
4. Participant reimbursements
Under 7 USC 2015(d)(4)(I), states pay E&T participants for participation-related expenses:
- Child care — during training hours
- Transport — gas, bus, vouchers, mileage
- Books + materials
- Uniforms + tools
- License / certification fees
- Other related expenses
Amounts vary by state. Some states offer $300-1,000 in reimbursements per participant.
5. Third-Party E&T (organizations)
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, organizations (community colleges, non-profits, unions) can partner with states as "Third-Party Providers" — receiving federal 50% reimbursement for every dollar spent on E&T-eligible training.
- College of the Mainland (TX) — free CDL + welding + healthcare for SNAP recipients
- Goodwill Industries — retail / customer service training in many states
- Unions — construction + electric + plumbing apprenticeships
- Community colleges — specific E&T-paid classes
- Locator: fns.usda.gov/snap/employment-training-toolbox
6. How to enroll
- Ask your SNAP worker "Can I enroll in E&T?" at next interview or call
- If yes, complete E&T form (varies by state)
- Assignment to a provider (state or third-party)
- Begin training
- Receive reimbursements through state or provider
7. Who CANNOT be required to participate
- Pregnant
- Under 16 or 60+
- Medically unable to work
- Caretakers of minor or disabled
- Working 30+ hours / week
- Receiving unemployment
- In addiction treatment
Even if NOT required, you can VOLUNTARILY participate if you want the services.
Related resources
Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).