CalFresh Work Rules

A work registrant is a person receiving CalFresh who is age 16 through 59 and is required to register for work and is not qualified for an exemption. 

You are excused from Work Registration rules if you are: 

• Younger than age 16, or age 60 or older.
• Caring for a dependent child under age 6 or someone with a disability (they do not have to live with you).
• Working at least 30 hours a week or earning $217.50 (current federal minimum wage of $7.25 multiplied by 30 hours) each week before taxes. Since many jobs in Los Angeles County pay more than the federal minimum wage, you may reach $217.50 in fewer than 30 hours of work per week. 
• Getting or applying for unemployment benefits. 
• Getting or applying for disability benefits from any source.
• Disabled. 
• Going to school, college, or a training program at least half-time. 
• In a drug or alcohol treatment program. 
• Meeting work rules through another program, like CalWORKs.

You can show that you qualify for an exemption in different ways. In many cases, DPSS may already have the information needed on your application or case records. If more information is needed, you may be asked to provide documents such as: 

• A doctor's note or medical records if you are not able to work.
• Proof of school or training program enrollment.
• Pay stubs or a letter from your employer if you are working. 
• Proof of unemployment or disability benefits. 
• A statement if you are caring for a child under age 6 or someone who needs your care. 

If you're not sure what to provide, do not worry. We will let you know what is needed and help guide you through the process. 

Contact DPSS as soon as possible if:

• Your work hours change.
• You become sick or unable to work. 
• Your childcare situation changes.
• You believe you qualify for an exemption. 

Reporting changes quickly can help protect your benefits. 

Good reasons for quitting, refusing work, or working fewer than 30 hours per week include things out of your control, like: 

• Illness.
• Experiencing discrimination. 
• Not getting paid. 
• Lack of transportation. 
• Having difficulty speaking, reading, or writing in English. 
• Unreasonable work conditions. 
• Your health and safety are at risk. 
• You cannot physically do the job. 
• No childcare for a child younger than age 12.

If you do not follow Work Registration rules and do not 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. 

No, these are two different sets of rules. Work Registration is a basic work rule for most people ages 16 to 59 receiving CalFresh. It means you must register for work and accept suitable job offers unless you qualify for an exemption. CalFresh Work Requirements (ABAWD) are additional rules that apply to some adults. These rules require completing a set number of work or approved activity hours each month to keep receiving CalFresh benefits. Adults aged 60 and older are exempt from Work Registration because of their age. However, adults ages 60 to 64 may still have to meet CalFresh Work Requirements (ABAWD). 

An ABAWD is a person receiving CalFresh who is 18 to 64, able to work, and does not have a dependent child under the age of 14 in their CalFresh household. 

If ABAWD rules apply to you, you may only receive CalFresh benefits for three months within a fixed 36-month period unless you: 

• Meet the work requirements, or 
• Qualify for an exemption. 

In California, the state has a fixed statewide clock. The current fixed statewide clock is January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. 

You can meet the ABAWD work requirements by: 

• Working at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.
• Participating in a job training or employment program. 
• Completing volunteer or community service hours. 
• Participating in workfare. 

You may not have to follow ABAWD rules if you are: 

• Pregnant. 
• Under 18 or over 64. 
• Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for work. 
• Has a dependent child under the age of 14 in their CalFresh household.
• An Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. 
• Participate in an Office of Refugee Resettlement Training Program. 
• Excused from CalFresh Work Registration rules other than age:
  • Caring for a dependent child under age 6 or someone with a disability (they do not have to live with you).
  • Working at least 30 hours a week or earning $217.50 (current federal minimum wage of $7.25 multiplied by 30 hours) each week before taxes. Since many jobs in Los Angeles County pay more than the federal minimum wage, you may reach $217.50 in fewer than 30 hours of work per week. 
  • Getting or applying for unemployment benefits. 
  • Getting or applying for disability benefits from any source.
  • Disabled. 
  • Going to school, college, or a training program at least half-time. 
  • In a drug or alcohol treatment program. 
  • Meeting work rules through another program, like CalWORKs.

You can show that you qualify for an exemption in different ways. In many cases, DPSS may already have the information needed on your application or case records. If more information is needed, you may be asked to provide documents such as: 

• A doctor's note or medical records if you are not able to work.
• A statement or verification of pregnancy.
• Proof of training program enrollment. 

If you're not sure what to provide, do not worry. We will let you know what is needed and help guide you through the process. 

If you receive a full month of CalFresh benefits but do not meet the work requirements and do not qualify for an exemption, that month may count toward the three-month time limit. This is called a countable month. 

If you reach three countable months within a fixed 36-month-period, your CalFresh benefits may stop or be reduced. To restore your benefits, you may need to reapply after you meet the work requirement or qualify for an exemption.

Starting June 1, 2026, California will begin enforcing these rules in phases. 

• New applicants on or after June 1, 2026, will be screened when they apply.
• Current CalFresh households will be screened at their next recertification on or after June 1, 2026.

Starting June 1, 2026, DPSS will check whether CalFresh participants qualify for an exemption or must follow ABAWD rules.

If you apply for CalFresh on or after June 1, 2026:

• You will be screened during your application to see if ABAWD rules apply to you.
• You may be asked about your work hours, school or training, health conditions, or other factors that may qualify you for an exemption.
• If the rules apply to you, DPSS will explain how to meet the work requirement and how your three-month time limit works.

If you already receive CalFresh:

• You will be screened at your next recertification on or after June 1, 2026. ABAWD rules will not apply until this screening occurs.
• DPSS may request updated information to determine whether ABAWD rules apply to you or if you qualify for an exemption. 
• If the rules apply to you, DPSS will tell you how to meet the work requirement and how many countable months you have used.

If you qualify for an exemption:

• The rules will not apply to you, and you will not have a three-month time limit as long as your exemption is valid.
• DPSS may ask for information or documents to confirm your exemption.

If the rules apply to you:

• You will need to meet the work requirement to keep getting CalFresh for more than three months in a 36-month period.
• DPSS will explain your options, including work, training, volunteer hours, or workfare.

Contact DPSS as soon as possible if:

• Your work hours change.
• You become sick or unable to work. 
• Your childcare situation changes.
• You believe you qualify for an exemption. 

Reporting changes quickly can help protect your benefits.