Don’t Take Food Away from Families with Teens — Restore the SNAP Caregiver Exemption!

Parents of high schoolers shouldn’t lose food assistance just because their children turn 14. A recent federal change to SNAP rules cut off the caregiver exemption for parents of kids 15–17, forcing many families to choose between meeting strict work requirements and putting food on the table. We’re calling on Congress and the USDA to restore the exemption for caregivers with children under 18 — because caring for teens is still caring for kids.

We, the undersigned, call for the restoration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) exemption for parents and caregivers with dependent children under the age of 18.

Under previous SNAP rules, caregivers responsible for a child under 18 years old were exempt from the program’s work and time-limit requirements (known as the ABAWD — Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents — rules).

However, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 reduced this exemption to apply only to caregivers of children under 14. This harmful change removes critical support from families with high-school-aged children who still rely on their parents for meals, transportation, and care.

Why This Matters

• Teenagers still need care. Many 15–17-year-olds cannot safely be left alone or are still in school full time.
  Childcare doesn’t end at age 14. After-school care and supervision options for older minors are extremely limited, especially in rural and low-income communities.
• Work rules should not punish parents. Requiring parents of teens to meet 80-hour monthly work thresholds risks cutting off food benefits for families already struggling.
•  SNAP’s mission is food security. Forcing caregivers to choose between caregiving and compliance goes against the purpose of this essential program.

Our Request

We urge Congress, the USDA, and state SNAP administrators to:

1. Reinstate the caregiver exemption for those with children under 18. 
2. Protect family food security by recognizing the continued caregiving needs of high school–age youth. 
3. Ensure consistent and fair implementation across all states.
4. Put families first in all future SNAP rulemaking.

Every child deserves a stable, nourished home — no matter their age. Sign this petition to
demand that lawmakers restore fairness and compassion to SNAP.