Apply for CalFresh

An ABAWD is a person:

• Between 18 and 64 years old.
• Who is able to work.
• Who does not have children under age 14 living in the CalFresh household.

The ABAWD requirement will be effective June 1, 2026, for all CalFresh applicants and/or recipients.

• The ABAWD time limit is a federal rule that limits how long ABAWDs can receive CalFresh benefits without meeting certain work requirements.
• To continue receiving CalFresh, an ABAWD must meet the work requirement for an average of 20 hours per week or at least 80 hours per month.
• Acceptable work activities can include paid employment, volunteering, or participating in CalFresh Employment & Training (E&T).
• Working means:
  o Work in exchange for money
  o Work in exchange for goods or services (“in kind” work)
• Any combination of employment, volunteering, or participating in CalFresh E&T to satisfy the minimum work requirement of an average of 20 hours per week or at least 80 hours per month, is acceptable.

• An ABAWD can only receive CalFresh benefits for three full months within a 36-month period unless they meet the work requirements. The three months do not need to be consecutive.
• The fixed time clock for all CalFresh recipients starts Jan. 1, 2026, and will continue through Dec. 31, 2028, regardless of whether they received CalFresh benefits.

You are not an ABAWD if:
• You are under age 18 or over age 64,
• Have children under age 14 in your CalFresh household.

Yes, certain individuals are exempt from the time limit when meeting a CalFresh Work Requirement (CFWR) exemption, or ABAWD time limit exemption listed below:

• CFWR exemptions
  • Under age 16.
  • Age 16 or 17 and not the head of household, OR in school or enrolled in employment training at least half time.
  • Physically or mentally incapacitated.
  • Caretaker of a child under the age of six.
  • Caretaker for a physically/mentally impaired person.
  • Applied for or receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB).
  • Drug/alcohol program participants.
  • Working 30 or more hours weekly.
  • Self-employed with weekly earnings equal to 30 hours multiplied by the federal minimum wage.
  • A student enrolled half-time or more.
  • Registered for Welfare-to-Work (WTW).
• ABAWD exemptions
  • Under age 18 or over age 64.
  • Has a dependent child under age 14.
  • Pregnant.
  • Participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program for half-time.
  • Meeting one of the following exemptions for Indians:
    • Urban Indian,
    • California Indian, or
    • Other Indians eligible for Indian Health Services.
  • Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit to work for 20 hours a week or more.
  • Obviously physically or mentally unfit to work for 20 hours a week or more.  

If the reason for exemption is not obvious, your worker may ask for documentary evidence, such as a statement from a medical professional.

Nonexempt customers who fail to meet an exemption will be required to meet the work requirements of an average of 20 hours per week or at least 80 hours per month.

Nonexempt customers who fail to meet the work requirements may only receive CalFresh benefits for three months in a 36-month period unless eligible to a good cause determination.

Yes, the rest of your household may still receive CalFresh benefits if eligible. Additionally, your income and resources will be used to determine your household’s eligibility.

Yes, you will need to report to the County when your work hours drop below 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month. This change must be reported within 10 days of the date when the change happens.

No, if you are identified as a non-exempt ABAWD or mandatory work participant, you must complete the work requirements, or you will only be eligible to receive CalFresh benefits for a maximum of three months within a 36-month period.

If you have questions about the ABAWD program or do not understand the ABAWD work requirement, you may call the County at 877-410-8829 or visit your local TAD office.