Work Registration Important Notice

CalFresh Work Registration 

Welcome to the CalFresh Work Registration page! Here, you can learn about Work Registration, who they affect, and how to keep your CalFresh benefits.

To keep your CalFresh benefits, some people must follow basic work rules, called work registration. You are automatically registered for work when your CalFresh application is signed at Intake, renewal, or when adding someone to your CalFresh household. 

Who is a Work Registrant?

A CalFresh work registrant is a person who:

• Is Ages 16 through 59; and
• Not excused from meeting the work registration rules.

What You Must Do

• Be available and willing to work. 
• Not quit your job or turn down a job offer without a good reason.
• Work at least 30 hours per week if possible.

If you quit, refuse work, or work fewer than 30 hours per week without good reason, your CalFresh benefits could stop or be lowered. 

Good reasons for quitting, refusing work, or working fewer than 30 hours per week include: 

• You are sick
• You lack adequate childcare for a child six to eleven years of age.
• Your job has unsafe or unreasonable conditions.
• You cannot physically do the job.

If you don’t follow these rules and don’t have a good reason, your CalFresh benefits may stop for 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months. To get your benefits back, you may reapply once you follow the rules or qualify for an exemption.

Who Does NOT Have to Register for Work

You do not have to meet work registration rules if you are:

• Under 16 or 60 years old or older.
•  Caring for a child under 6 or someone with a disability (they do not have to live with you).
• Working at least 30 hours a week.
• Getting or applying for unemployment  or disability (they do not have to live with you). 
• Disabled
• Going to school, college, or training program at least half-time.
• In a drug or alcohol treatment program.
• Meeting work rules through another program, like CalWORKs.