DPSS ePolicy

To release new policy.

The purpose of this Administrative Release (AR) is to provide new CalFresh policy and procedures for the Eligibility staff to implement CalFresh Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements and time limits, effective June 1, 2026.

An ABAWD is a CalFresh applicant/participant between the ages of 18 and 64, who is physically and mentally fit for employment and does not have a child under the age of 14 in their CalFresh household (HH). An ABAWD applicant/participant’s eligibility for CalFresh is time-limited to three months within a 36-month period unless they:

1. Are exempt from the ABAWD time limit;
2. Live in a county or area with a waiver of the ABAWD time limit;
3. Satisfy the ABAWD work requirement;
4. Receive a discretionary exemption; or
5. Qualify for an additional three consecutive month period of eligibility.

All CalFresh HHs with an ABAWD or someone who will become an ABAWD during the certification period must be informed of the CalFresh Work Rules by receiving an oral explanation of work registration and ABAWD requirements followed by receipt of the CF 886, CalFresh Notice of Work Rules. This is required at Intake, Renewal (RE), and when adding a new individual to the HH.

There are three work-related CalFresh policies:

1. CalFresh Work Registration;
2. ABAWD time limit; and
3. CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) Program.

CalFresh Work Registration applies to applicants/participants between the ages of 16 and 59, who do not meet the criteria for an exemption from the Work Registration requirements. Each non-exempt HH member must be registered for employment at Intake and once every 12 months after initial registration as a condition of eligibility. ABAWD individuals are a subset of CalFresh work registrants, who are between the ages of 18 and 64 and do not qualify for an exemption from CalFresh Work Registration.

Note: Effective June 1, 2026, applicants/participants aged 60 or older remain exempt from Work Registration; however, those aged 60 through 64 may be required to meet the ABAWD work requirements unless they qualify for another Work Registration exemption or an ABAWD exemption.

CalFresh applicants/participants who meet the criteria for an exemption are not subject to the three-month time limit and are not required to satisfy the work requirement to maintain CalFresh eligibility. Below is a list of  ABAWD exemptions and the acceptable verifications. 

1. Exempt from the CalFresh Work Registration requirements (for a list of the Work Registration exemptions, refer to AR 63-407 Work Registration).
   
   Note: For applicants/participants between the ages of 60 and 64, they will need to meet a Work Registration exemption other than age.
   
   Acceptable Verifications: For a list of verifications, refer to AR 63-407 Work Registration.
   
   
2. Under the age of 18 or over the age of 64.
   
   Acceptable Verifications (including, but not limited to): 
   
   
   • Birth Certificate; 
   • Government-issued driver's license or photo identification; 
   • Participant's statement; or
   • Information known to the county, such as data on file from previous applications, case records, or shared state databases.
      
3. Living with a child under the age of 14 in the CalFresh HH.
   
   Note: A single child under 14 exempts all adults in the same CalFresh HH. The adult does not need to have physical or legal custody of the child for the exemption to apply. Additionally, the child may be temporarily absent from the home for no more than 30 days. Further, the child can be an ineligible member of the CalFresh HH (for example, an ineligible non-citizen or other circumstances).
   
   Acceptable Verifications: Information known to the county, such as data on file from previous applications, case records, or shared state databases.
   
   
4. Pregnant, from conception through the end of pregnancy.
   
   Acceptable Verifications: Verbal statement from the applicant/participant, including the pregnancy end date, unless questionable. A signed affidavit is not required. If questionable, request a written or verbal statement from medical personnel.
   
   
5. Indian, Urban Indian, or Californian Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).
   
   Acceptable Verifications (including, but not limited to): 
   
   
   • Verbal statement from the applicant/participant is sufficient, unless questionable. A signed affidavit is not required.
     
     
6. Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit to work (even if temporarily) for one of the following reasons:
   
   
   • Applied for/receiving temporary or permanent public or private disability benefits.
     
     Acceptable Verifications:
     
     
     • If applied for or is receiving temporary or permanent public or private disability benefits, including but not limited to:
       
       
       • Veteran disability benefits;
       • Workers' Compensation;
       • Supplemental Security Income;
       • Social Security Disability Insurance; or 
       • State-issued temporary or permanent disability benefits.
         
         Note: Evidence of receipts or a pending application for disability benefits may be requested, if information is not known to the county. For example, a veteran's disability benefit letter or an award letter from Employment Development Department (EDD) or the United States Social Security Administration. Information known to the county includes an existing disability record in the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System or an existing record in the Income Eligibility Verification System.
          
   • Determined physically or mentally unfit to work by medical or other personnel, such as a Department of Mental Health Clinician.
     
     Acceptable Verifications (including, but not limited to):
     
     
     • CF 887, CalFresh Medical Certification Form Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Release of Information; 
       
       
     • Written or verbal statement provided by medical or mental health personnel and documented in the case file; or
       
       
     • Collateral contact.
        
   • Obviously unfit to work based on the Eligibility staff observation.
     
     Acceptable Verifications: Based on staff observation.
     
     The following circumstances may indicate obvious unfitness:
     
     
     • Indicator: Experiencing Chronic Homelessness
       
       
       • Definition: If the applicant/participant lacks a fixed regular nighttime residence for six months or more, or more than one time in the last year, or states they are unable to meet their basic needs. Basic needs include but are not limited to adequate shelter, heating and cooling, electricity, running water, food, and clothing.
         
         
     • Indicator: Struggling with Drug or Alcohol Addiction 
       
       
       • Definition: If the applicant/participant is dependent on drugs or alcohol to maintain day-to-day functioning. (Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment or rehabilitation program is a work registration exemption.)
         
         
     • Indicator: Survivors of Domestic Violence
       
       
       • Definition: If the applicant/participant is a survivor of, or has experienced, any type of assaultive, coercive, or battering behavior occurring within a domestic relationship.
         
         
         • Note: Not restricted to an intimate partner; may be applied to other relationships such as siblings, parents, friends, etc. Also not limited to those who are in a domestic violence shelter.
            
     • Indicator: Applicants/Participants impacted by the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice System
       
       
       • Definition: Young adults with experience in child welfare or juvenile justice systems.
         
         
         • Impacted by child welfare if they:
           
           
           • Have ever had an open child welfare service case; or
             
             
           • Were determined by a child welfare services agency to be at imminent risk of entering foster care but were able to safely remain in their home; or
             
             
           • Are a young adult whose adoption or guardianship occurred through the child welfare system.
              
         • Impacted by juvenile justice system if they:
           
           
           • Have ever been detained or committed to a juvenile justice facility; or
           • Are currently under supervision by the juvenile delinquency court and/or a juvenile probation agency.
              
     • Other circumstances, such as trauma or prior experiences linked to current physical or mental health conditions, such as trauma associated with military services, etc.
       
       Note: ABAWDs who meet the definition of chronic homelessness, are struggling with drugs or alcohol, survivors of domestic violence, or are impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice system, are not automatically exempt from the time limit. These are indicators that an individual may be experiencing circumstances associated with severe mental and physical distress and challenges that may make them obviously unfit to work, but are not exemptions in and of themselves, and should not be listed as the exemption reasons.
       
       These indicators must be tied to a physical or mental unfitness to be exempt. Applicants/Participants must be exempt from the ABAWD time limit when the reason for unfitness is obvious without requiring additional verification. Staff observation is the only required verification when the reason for the unfitness is obvious. 
       
       To determine that an applicant/participant is obviously unfit to work, a discussion of the applicant/participant's inability to work or participate in work activities for 20 hours per week or 80 hours averaged monthly on an ongoing basis should be completed. The discussion should focus on the physical or mental challenges that impact the individual's ability to work. 
       
       
       • Examples include but are not limited to:
         
         
         • Having an injury;
         • Trouble following the interview or asking incoherent questions;
         • Severe dental issues; or
         • Personal hygiene issues.
           
           Note: When contact with the applicant/participant is over the phone the obviously unfit determination can be made through verbal interaction and discussion.
            
7. Participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program for at least half-time. 
    
   Acceptable Verifications (including, but not limited to):
   
   
   • Written statement from an ORR training program staff; or
   • Collateral contact.

Note: When collateral contact is used, Eligibility staff must at a minimum document the collateral contact's name and phone number or email address in the journal entry. 

Loss of Exemption Mid-Period

If during the certification period, a participant individual loses an exemption due to a change in circumstances, the participant must not be assigned countable months until they are re-screened to determine whether another exemption applies. The participant will be re-screened at the HH's next scheduled RE.

ABAWD applicants/participants who do not qualify for an exemption or live in a waived area can satisfy the work requirement through:

For Individual Participation

The completion of the required hours are individual based; this means each ABAWD applicant/participant is responsible to complete the 20 hours per week or 80 hours average monthly themselves.

1. Employment:
   
   
   • At least 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly),
     
     
   • Allowable employment includes paid employment, self-employment, or In-Kind, or 
     
     
   • May be combined with other allowable work activities to satisfy the work requirement for a total of 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly).
      
2. Participating in an allowable work activity, or a combination of allowable work activities, for at least 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly), which include but are not limited to:
   
   
   • Qualifying CFET activities of supervised job search, education and vocational training, work experience, work-based learning, and self-employment training;
     
     Note: Supervised job searched allows a maximum of nine hours per week.
     
     
   • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs including job search, occupational skills training, on-the-job training, job readiness training, adult education, and literacy activities;
     
     
   • A program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974;
     
     
   • Participation in community service or volunteer work or a combination with other qualifying work activities to equal 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly); or
     
     Note: Community Service and volunteer work can be completed at a non-profit organization or public institution as long as the County can verify the hours.
     
     
   • Other qualifying activities under 7 CFR 273.4, which addresses programs and activities that help connect participants to the workforce and provide employability skills.

For HH-Based Participation

HHs with multiple ABAWDs may utilize workfare to satisfy time limit mandates, allowing the total required hours to be split amongst all eligible members or fulfilled entirely by a single individual.

Self-Initiated Workfare is an activity that allows non-exempt ABAWDs to meet their work requirements by self-identifying a nonprofit organization to report to complete unpaid work duties to gain work experience, provided the nonprofit organization agrees to verify completed hours.

The monthly required hours are calculated by dividing the HH's monthly CalFresh benefit by the Los Angeles County minimum hourly wage. Workfare hours may be completed by one non-exempt ABAWD HH member or split among the non-exempt ABAWD HH members. Workfare cannot be combined with any other activity, and weekly participation hours in addition to any employment hours must not exceed eight hours per day, 30 hours per week, or 120 hours per month.

Note: The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is implementing a guided self-service Workfare option that will allow non-exempt ABAWDs to identify a public or private nonprofit organization as a worksite to complete their Workfare hours. Additional guidance will be released once implementation details are finalized. 

Good Cause for Failure to Satisfy the ABAWD Work Requirement

ABAWD particiants subject to the time limit who would have satisfied the ABAWD work requirement but did not do so for reasons outside of their control may be granted good cause.

1. Good cause must be determined on a case-by-case basis. There is no limit on the number of months for which good cause can be granted.
   
   
2. The month in which good cause is applied shall not be considered a countable month even though the ABAWD did not satisfy the work requirement of 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly).

Good cause includes but is not limited to:

1. Illness;
2. Illness of another HH member requiring the presence of the ABAWD applicant/participant;
3. A HH emergency;
4. A declaration of disaster; or
5. Lack of transportation.

A countable month is any month in which an ABAWD participant subject to the time limit receives CalFresh benefits for a full month while not being exempt, satisfying the work requirement, or living in an area with a waiver of the ABAWD time limit. Countable months are subject to retroactive corrections, such as finding out a participant was exempt for a prior month(s).

A month is not a countable month if any of the following exist:

1. The ABAWD participant turns age 65 during the month;
   
   
2. The ABAWD participant qualifies for an exemption for any part of the month;
   
   
3. The ABAWD participant lives in a waived county or area; 
   
   
4. The month is a partial/prorated month of CalFresh benefits;
   
   
5. The ABAWD participant satisfies the work requirement during the month; or
   
   
6. The ABAWD participant is in receipt of a discretionary exemption.

Note: The month in which an exemption ends must not be considered a countable month if the ABAWD participant qualified for an exemption for any part of the month.

Moving between waived and non-waived areas during the 36-month period does not “restart” an ABAWD applicant/participant's three countable months or the 36-month clock (which is fixed). If they have used any of the countable months during that current 36-month period, it will remain with them until the end of that 36-month period. The number of months of CalFresh benefits received while the ABAWD participant resides in a waived area does not count towards the three-month time limit.

When an ABAWD participant moves into a waived area, they are no longer subject to the ABAWD time limit. While the Inter-County Transfer (ICT) is pending, the ABAWD participant does not have to satisfy the ABAWD work requirement or be exempt to maintain eligibility and does not receive a countable month. Those who were previously discontinued for exhausting their three countable months may reapply in the waived county and receive CalFresh benefits if they are determined otherwise eligible. HHs with a disqualified ABAWD individual may request that the individual be reassessed for CalFresh benefits and be added as a returning HH member.

ABAWD participants moving from a waived area to a non-waived area during the 36-month period may become subject to the ABAWD time limit. The non-exempt ABAWD participant will be assigned a countable month for each full month of benefits received unless they satisfy the ABAWD work requirement for the first full month of residence in the non-waived area following the ICT, receive a discretionary exemption, or are otherwise exempt while residing in the non-waived area.

A countable month may be accrued in California or another state. All countable months are determined within California's fixed time period. If there is evidence that an ABAWD applicant/participant who is subject to the time limit received CalFresh benefits in another state during California's 36-month period, the Eligibility staff must verify the countable months used while residing in the other state.

An ABAWD participant who has exhausted their three countable months during the 36-month period and is not otherwise exempt, is ineligible for CalFresh benefits. The individual shall remain ineligible for the remainder of the 36-month period unless they:

1. Regain eligibility;
2. Qualify for an ABAWD exemption; or
3. Move to a waived county or area.

If the ABAWD participant has been discontinued and is no longer eligible for benefits, they are now considered an ineligible HH member. Such individuals must be excluded when determining the size of the CalFresh HH; however, the entirety of their resources and a prorated share of their income must be used when calculating the HH’s CalFresh allotment.

Note: For CalFresh HHs consisting of more than one individual, the benefits are only discontinued for the ABAWD participant who is subject to the time limit and failed to satisfy the work requirement, not the entire HH.

An individual who is discontinued for failure to satisfy the ABAWD work requirement must remain ineligible until they satisfy the requirements for regaining eligibility. An ABAWD applicant/participant may regain eligibility at any time if they:

1. Satisfy the ABAWD work requirement within a consecutive 30-day period prior to application;
   
   
2. Qualify for an ABAWD exemption for any part of the month;
   
   
3. Move to a waived area; or 
   
   
4. Reach the end of the 36-month period.

If the applicant regains eligibility through employment or any other qualifying work activities, they must provide verification that they have satisfied the ABAWD work requirement within a consecutive 30-day period. The consecutive 30-day period does not have to immediately precede the date of application. Prospective work hours do not qualify an individual to regain eligibility.

Note: There is no limit on the number of times an ABAWD applicant/participant may regain eligibility within the 36-month period.

If an individual had a retroactive correction of their countable months that results in them not having used their three months, the CalFresh benefits for that individual shall be restored with the correction of their countable months. This is different than regaining eligibility after a discontinuance.

Under certain circumstances, ABAWD participants may be granted an additional three consecutive months of CalFresh eligibility after they have exhausted their three countable months. This only applies to ABAWD participants who have regained eligibility by satisfying the work requirement for any 30-consecutive calendar days but have subsequently stopped satisfying the work requirement. This provision allows the ABAWD participant to be given three additional months of benefits to be used consecutively. It is important to note the following information below:

1. Once the first of the three consecutive months is issued, the other two months will automatically follow even if the ABAWD participant satisfies the work requirement or qualifies for an exemption during that time.
   
   
2. The three consecutive months of eligibility are only available once during the 36- month period and will be given to those ABAWD participants who qualify (by regaining eligibility and subsequently not satisfying the work requirement).
   
   
3. If the ABAWD participant regains eligibility by satisfying the work requirement, the three consecutive months will start when the ABAWD participant notifies the county that they are no longer satisfying the work requirement or when the ABAWD participant is no longer in compliance.

ABAWD participants cannot receive the additional three consecutive months if they:

1. Regained eligibility through qualifying for an exemption;
2. Moved to a waived area, or
3. Applied after the 36- month clock has reset.

CalFresh HHs must report the following three circumtstances mid-period within ten calendar days of the occurance:

1. Gross monthly income received over the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT);
   
   
2. A reduction in ABAWD work hours below 20 hours per week (or 80 hours average monthly); and
   
   Note: This includes hours for community service/volunteer work, or any other qualifying work activities that drop below 20 hours per week (or 80 hours average monthly).
   
   
3. Substantial lottery or gambling winnings over $4,750.

California provided state-funded food assistance benefits through CFAP for qualified non-citizens who do not qualify for federal CalFresh benefits. Effective October 1, 2027, participants receiving CFAP benefits are not subject to CalFresh work registration and ABAWD time limit rules and are tracked monthly based on the receipt of state-funded benefits. Additionally, CFAP participants who are survivors of trafficking, domestic violence, or other serious crimes and those who do not have a Social Security number shall not be subject to ABAWD requirements.

If a CFAP participant begins receiving federal CalFresh benefits during the 36-month period:

1. The participant's ABAWD status will be reassessed under federal CalFresh rules, and as appropriate, a new calendar record for tracking federal CalFresh countable months will be created separately from CFAP tracking.
   
   
2. The ABAWD participant's eligibility for CalFresh will be “reset” and they will be subject to the time limit as a recipient of federal CalFresh benefits unless they are otherwise exempt.
   
   
3. The ABAWD participant will receive a new set of three countable months, regardless of whether they lost eligibility due to reaching the ABAWD time limit as a CFAP recipient. A new 36-month calendar will be established when they begin receiving federal CalFresh benefits.

CFAP Discretionary Exemptions

Current policy allows ABAWD participants to be granted a CFAP discretionary exemption for each month they do not satisfy the work requirement. However, they are still subject to the ABAWD time limit rules. This means they must satisfy the work requirement, qualify for an exemption, or reside in a waived area to maintain CFAP eligibility. This will be effective the month following the last month in which the CFAP discretionary exemption is applied.

Note: Currently, county and individual CFAP discretionary exemption allocation guidelines remain the same as federal CalFresh discretionary exemption guidelines.

Applicants/Participants aged 60 through 64 who are participating in ESAP are not subject to CalFresh Work Registration but may still be subject to the ABAWD time limit. All other existing policies for older adults remain applicable, whether they are subject to the time limit or not. ESAP HHs with exempt or non-exempt ABAWD members who otherwise meet ESAP eligibility criteria will continue to receive a 36-month certification period.

ESAP HHs are not required to have an interview to recertify. However, they still must be screened for Work Registration and ABAWD exemptions. The ESAP HH must be contacted with at least three attempts to complete the required screening. If the HH is able to complete the exemption screening through contact, no interview is required solely for this purpose. If the ESAP HH is not available to complete the exemption screening, then the HH is scheduled for a required interview in order to complete the screening prior to taking any negative action, including the application of countable months. If the HH fails to complete the required interview, the RE will be denied for the missed interview.

Every individual HH member who is subject to denial, discontinuation, or reduction of benefits due to a determination of non-exempt status, or failure to comply with the ABAWD work requirement has a right to a State Hearing for appeal. These individual members can file an appeal on actions such as exemption status, the type of requirement imposed, or the county’s refusal to establish a Good Cause.

If the HH requests a State Hearing in a timely manner, the county will reinstate the benefits, pending the State Hearing, and provide adequate advance notice of the hearing date. Refer to the NA Back 9 - Your Hearing Rights for detailed information. 
 

Federal law limits certain CalFresh participants, known as ABAWDs, to three months of CalFresh benefits within a 36-month period unless they meet an exemption or satisfy federal work requirements. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) released updated ABAWD guidance through the CalFresh ABAWD Time Limit Handbook Version 3.0, effective June 1, 2026.  

This policy consolidates and updates the Los Angeles County DPSS ABAWD guidance to align with current federal and state requirements, including House of Representatives 1. The policy provides standardized guidance for identifying ABAWD individuals, screening for exemptions, informing HHs of work requirements and time limits, and determining ongoing eligibility for CalFresh benefits.

Terms and Descriptions

ABAWD

An individual between the ages of 18 and 64 who can work, does not have a dependent child under age 14 in the CalFresh HH, and does not meet the criteria for an exemption from the time limit.

ABAWD Time Limit

An ABAWD participant's eligibility for CalFresh is time-limited to three months within a 36- month period unless the participant:

1. Lives in a county or geographic area within a county with an ABAWD waiver;
   
   
2. Satisfies the ABAWD work requirement;
   
   
3. Is granted a discretionary exemption;
   
   
4. Is exempt from the ABAWD Time Limit; or
   
   
5. Qualifies for an additional three consecutive months of eligibility.

CalFresh HH

A CalFresh HH composition includes individuals who purchase and prepare meals together.

 California Indian

An individual is considered a “California Indian” if they meet at least one of the following:

1. They are a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe;
   
   
2. They are a descendant of an Indian who resided in California on June 1, 1852, provided they are a member of the Indian community served by a local Indian Health Service program and are regarded as an Indian by their community;
   
   
3. They are an Indian who holds trust interests in public domain, national forest, or reservation allotments in California; or
   
   
4. They are an Indian of California listed in the plans for distribution of assets of rancherias and reservations under the Act of August 18, 1958, including their descendants.

CDSS Exemption File

A monthly, state-level administrative data report produced by CDSS and transmitted directly to CalSAWS. It automatically verifies, establishes, or updates CalFresh exemptions from work registration and ABAWD time limits using verified state data.

CFAP

State-funded food assistance program for qualified non-citizens who do not qualify for federal CalFresh benefits.

CFET

A voluntary program available to California residents who want to enhance their employment opportunities through education, training, or work-based learning. In Los Angeles County, the CFET Program is administered by DPSS and CFET services are provided by CFET partner agencies.

Collateral Contact

Oral confirmation of a HH’s circumstances by a person outside of the HH. The collateral contact may be made in person or by telephone.

Countable Month

Any full month during which an ABAWD is subject to the time limit and receives a month of CalFresh benefits while not exempt, satisfying the work requirement, or living in an area with a waiver of the ABAWD Time Limit.

Child under age 14 in the same CalFresh HH

A child under age 14 who is in the same CalFresh HH as the ABAWD. This may include a child who is an excluded member of the CalFresh HH.

Discretionary Exemptions

Individual exemptions are granted to CalFresh ABAWD participants who would otherwise be ineligible due to the ABAWD Time Limit. Each discretionary exemption equals one full month of CalFresh eligibility for one ABAWD. Benefits under CFAP are not eligible to receive a federal discretionary exemption. An ABAWD participant receiving benefits under CFAP is eligible to receive a state-discretionary exemption.

Domestic Abuse Behavior

• Physical abuse;
  
  
• Sexual abuse;
  
  
• Psychological, emotional, and verbal abuse;
  
  
• Intimidation, threats, or behavior that puts the individual in fear of their safety;
  
  
• Isolation;
  
  
• Economic control;
  
  
• Stalking;
  
  
• Neglect or deprivation of medical care; or
  
  
• Destruction of property or pets.

Domestic Relationship

• Adults or minors who are current or former spouses;
  
  
• Adults or minors who live together or have lived together;
  
  
• Adults or minors who are dating or have dated;
  
  
• Adults or minors who are engaged in or have engaged in sexual relations;
  
  
• Adults or minors who are related by blood or adoption;
  
  
• Adults or minors who are related or formerly related by marriage;
  
  
• People who have a child in common;
  
  
• Adults or minors who are engaged or were formerly engaged to be married;
  
  
• Adults or minors engaged in same-sex relationships;
  
  
• Adults or minor children of people listed above; or
  
  
• Adults or minors acting in concert with or on behalf of someone identified above.

Experiencing Chronic Homelessness

An individual lacking a fixed regular nighttime residence for six months or more, more than one time in the last year, or state they are unable to meet their basic needs. Basic needs include but are not limited to adequate shelter, heating and cooling, electricity, running water, food, and clothing.

 Fixed Statewide Clock

The state of California has implemented the “fixed statewide clock” option. Under this option, the 36-month period has the same beginning and end date in all 58 counties for all ABAWD participants.

Note: The current 36-month clock is from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.

Good Cause

May be determined for those who fail to meet the work requirement for reasons outside of their control. Good Cause includes, but is not limited to:

1. Illness (personal or of another HH member);
2. HH emergency;
3. Lack of transportation; and
4. A declaration of disaster.

Allows the ABAWD participant to continue receiving benefits for a month in which the ABAWD did not meet the work requirement without triggering a countable month.

Indian

An individual is considered an “Indian” if they are a member of an Indian Tribe.

Indian Tribe

An Indian Tribe includes any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including Alaska Native villages, groups, or regional or village corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, that is recognized as eligible for federal programs and services provided to Indians because of their status as Indians.

Mandatory Mid-Period Reports

All CalFresh HHs are required to report any mandatory mid-period reports within ten calendar days of the date the change is known to the HH. There are three types of mandatory mid-period reports:

1. Monthly gross income received over the IRT;
   
   
2. A reduction in ABAWD work hours below 20 hours per week or 80 hours averaged monthly; and
   
   Note: This includes hours for community service/volunteer work, or any other qualifying work activities that drop below 20 hours per week or 80 hours average monthly.
   
   
3. Substantial lottery or gambling winnings over $4,750.
   
   Note: This is subject to change with the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment changes.

Partial Month

Any month in which an ABAWD is subject to the time limit and does not receive a full month of CalFresh benefits and is not exempt from meeting the work requirement. 

Potential ABAWD

An applicant/participant who can be reasonably anticipated to become an ABAWD at some point within the certification period.

Regaining Eligibility

ABAWD participants can regain eligibility at any time if they:

1. Satisfy the CalFresh Work Requirement within a 30 consecutive day period;
2. Qualify for an exemption;
3. Move to a waived area; or
4. Reach the end of the 36-month period.

The Trade Act of 1974 Program

Workers identified by EDD as adversely affected by the United States (U.S.) trade agreements. The Trade Act provides training services to adversely affected workers through participation in programs that are subject to approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Additional Three Consecutive Months

Additional three months of CalFresh benefits are granted after an ABAWD has regained eligibility by satisfying the work requirement within any 30-consecutive calendar days and then subsequently stopped satisfying the work requirement a second time.

ABAWD individuals cannot receive the additional three consecutive months if they:

1. Regained eligibility through qualifying for an exemption;
2. Moved to a waived area; or
3. Applied after the 36-month clock has reset.

Note: The three consecutive months may not be issued separately throughout the 36-month period. Once the first of the three consecutive months is issued, the other two months will automatically follow even if the ABAWD satisfies the work requirement or becomes exempt during that time.

Urban Center

Any community with a sufficient urban Indian population with unmet health needs to warrant assistance under subchapter IV of the IHCIA, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Urban Indian

An individual is considered an “Urban Indian” if they reside in an urban center and meet at least one of the following:

1. They are a member of a Tribe, band, or other organized group of Indians, including groups terminated since 1940 and those recognized now or in the future by their state, or a first or second-degree descendant of such a member;
   
   
2. They are an Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native;
   
   
3. They are determined to be an Indian under regulations issued by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior; or
   
   
4. They are determined to be an Indian under regulations issued by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Waived Counties

Specific counties that have been granted a geographic exemption (waiver) from federal work requirements due to having a three-month average unemployment rate above 10 percent.

Note: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) originally waived the ABAWD time limit for Alpine, Colusa, Imperial, Kings, Merced, Monterey, Plumas, and Tulare counties from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026.

A new one-year extension will take effect from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027, for all of these counties except Alpine County. This extension was approved because the remaining seven counties maintained an average unemployment rate above 10 percent from January 2026 through March 2026.

 WIOA

The primary federal workforce development legislation with the goal of increasing coordination amongst workforce development and related programs.

Work Registration

Requirement for CalFresh eligible, non-exempt individuals (ages 16-59) to register for work at application and RE, as a condition of eligibility. Work Registration is considered met when a non-exempt HH member or their Authorized Representative signs the CalFresh application.

ABAWD Work Requirement

Effective June 1, 2026, the state of California will implement the ABAWD time limit. Applicants/Participtants who do not meet the criteria for an exemption or live in a waived area are subject to the time limit and must satisfy the work requirement to maintain CalFresh eligibility for more than three months within the 36-month time clock, also known as the fixed Statewide time clock.

Note: The current 36-month clock is from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.

Applicants/Participants who are exempt from CalFresh Work Registration are not subject to the time limit and are not required to satisfy the ABAWD work requirement. Under the ABAWD time limit policy, all ABAWD or potential ABAWD HHs must be informed orally and via the CF 886 about the time-limit rule at intake, RE, and when adding a person to the CalFresh HH. Additionally, each non-exempt HH member must be evaluated for ABAWD exemptions before they can be deemed subject to ABAWD work requirements. The oral information about the Work Registration and ABAWD rules is made when determining whether the individual is exempt or subject to the rules, and should occur alongside the CF 886. For a list of CalFresh work registration exemptions, refer to AR 63-407 Work Registration.

Note: Applicants/Participants aged 60 or older remain not subject to Work Registration; however, with the expansion of the ABAWD age range, applicants/participants aged 60 through 64 who are not work registrants solely due to age, are still subject to the ABAWD time limit, unless they qualify for another Work Registration exemption or an ABAWD exemption.

Unless otherwise specified, verbal statement/self-attestation is sufficient to establish an ABAWD exemption when the information provided is not questionable or third-party verification is not required. The CW 2200 must be used when verification is required. Eligibility staff must assist if the applicant/participant asks for help getting verification.

Information is considered questionable when it is inconsistent with statements made by the HH or conflicts with information in the case record.

When verification is required, acceptable verification types may include, but are not limited to:

• Documentary evidence;
  
  
• Collateral contact;
  
  
• Information known to the county, such as data on file from previous applications, case records, or shared state databases;
  
  
• Written or verbal statements from third parties; or
  
  
• System interface information available to the county.

Refer to the applicable exemption section within this policy for specific verification requirements and acceptable verification standards.

Exemption information received via the CDSS Exemption File is considered Verified Upon Receipt (VUR); therefore, additional verification must not be requested from the participant.   

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