DPSS ePolicy

To release a new policy.

This Administrative Release (AR) provides policy guidance for staff on how Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) applicants/participants can meet their CalFresh work requirements to maintain eligibility for CalFresh beyond three months on aid, starting June 1, 2026.

Effective June 1, 2026, CalFresh applicants/participants who are determined to be non-exempt ABAWDs must comply with work requirements to maintain eligibility for CalFresh benefits beyond the three-month ABAWD Time Limit.

ABAWDs are individuals ages 18 through 64, who are physically and mentally fit for employment, do not reside in a CalFresh household (HH) with a child under the age of 14, and do not meet any ABAWD exemption criteria. The Eligibility staff must screen CalFresh applicants/participants for possible Work Registration and ABAWD Time Limit exemptions, refer to the AR 63-410 ABAWD Time Limits. Unless exempt, ABAWDs are required to participate in qualifying work or work-related activities to continue receiving CalFresh benefits for more than three countable months in a 36-month period.

Non-exempt ABAWDs must complete 20 hours per week, or 80 hours per month averaged in qualifying work or work-related activities. An exception applies to participation in Workfare, where required hours may be lower and are calculated by dividing the HH's monthly CalFresh benefit amount by the Los Angeles (L.A.) County minimum hourly wage.

Non-exempt ABAWDs can meet the work requirements through one or more of the following options; however, Workfare must be completed as a standalone activity and hours cannot be combined with other activities to meet the work requirements.

1. Employment includes paid employment, self-employment, or in-kind work.
   
   
2. CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) Program is a voluntary program that offers activities designed to improve employability through education, training, and work-based learning. CFET services are provided through CFET partner agencies including Fresh Success, the Center for Economic Opportunities, and the Department of Economic Opportunity through their Skill-Up Los Angeles Program. For an up-to-date list, refer to the ABP 4079, CFET Resource Guide.
   
   
3. Self-Initiated Workfare (Comparable Workfare Component) allows non-exempt ABAWDs to volunteer at a nonprofit organization of their choice. This activity provides unpaid, hands-on experience and supports the development of job readiness skills. The organization must be willing to verify completed hours.
   
   
4. Community Service or Volunteer Work is an unpaid work experience activity in which non-exempt ABAWDs independently identify a nonprofit organization where they can complete their required hours. The organization must be willing to verify completed volunteer hours.
   
   
5. Other Programs or Activities not listed above. Other programs and activities must be assessed to ensure they align with federal regulations.
    

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.

The All-County Letter (ACL) 25-93, CalFresh Implementation of House of Representatives 1: Changes to Time Limit for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Policy, released on December 31, 2025, requires all counties to implement the CalFresh Time Limit policy for non-exempt ABAWDs effective June 1, 2026. The ACL 26-29, CalFresh Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents Time Limit Handbook Version 3.0, released on April 14, 2026, to provide guidance on qualifying activities that non-exempt ABAWDs can use to meet work requirements.

Effective June 1, 2026, Eligibility staff must inform all non‑exempt ABAWDs of the Time Limit policy and provide available options for meeting mandatory work requirements. This requirement applies at intake for new applications, during the RE period, and when adding an individual to the HH.

Employment

Non-exempt ABAWDs satisfying the work requirements through employment or self-employment must provide verification of the total hours worked. Verification of employment hours may include, but are not limited to:

• Business records;
  
  
• Income tax return;
  
  
• Information known to DPSS;
  
  
• Employer statement;
  
  
• GEN 853, Sworn Statement;
  
  
• PA 167, Monthly Earnings Report;
  
  
• PA 1672-1, Request for Income Verification;
  
  
• Pay stubs; or
  
  
• An acceptable collateral contact.
   

Community Service or Volunteer Work

Ways to verify completed community service or volunteer work hours include, but are not limited to:

• CF 888, CalFresh Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Volunteer Work Hours Verification Form;
  
  
• A similar verification form; or
  
  
• A written or verbal statement from a representative of the nonprofit organization for whom the ABAWD worked, or written statement that includes the following:
  
  
  • Name of ABAWD;
    
    
  • Name of nonprofit organization;
    
    
  • Number of hours completed;
    
    
  • Month and year in which hours were completed;
    
    
  • Nonprofit organization's contact information;
    
    
  • Whether the assignment is one-time or ongoing; and
    
    
  • Signature and date from a representative of the nonprofit organization for whom the ABAWD worked.
     

Self-Initiated Workfare

Ways to verify completed self-initiated Workfare hours include, but are not limited to:

• PA 811, Workfare Assignment and Attendance Verification Form;
  
  
• CF 888, CalFresh Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Volunteer Work Hours Verification Form; or
  
  
• A written or verbal statement from a representative of the nonprofit organization for whom the ABAWD worked, or written statement that includes the following:
  
  
  • Name of ABAWD;
    
    
  • Name of nonprofit organization;
    
    
  • Number of hours completed;
    
    
  • Month and year in which hours were completed;
    
    
  • Nonprofit organization's contact information;
    
    
  • Whether the assignment is one-time or ongoing; and
    
    
  • Signature and date from a representative of the nonprofit organization for whom the ABAWD worked.
     

CFET and Other Qualifying Programs or Activities

Ways to verify completed hours for CFET and other qualifying programs or activities include, but are not limited to:

• ABP 4082, Employment, Training, and Education Verification Form; or
  
  
• A written or verbal statement from a representative of the organization where the ABAWD completed their hours, or written statement that includes the following:
  
  
  • Name of ABAWD;
    
    
  • Name of organization where hours were completed;
    
    
  • Number of hours completed;
    
    
  • Month and year in which hours were completed;
    
    
  • Organization's contact information;
    
    
  • Whether the assignment is one-time or ongoing; and
    
    
  • Signature and date from a representative of the organization where the ABAWD completed their hours.

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