Starting June 1, 2026, new work requirements went into effect for community members receiving CalFresh. Adults will need to complete work or community activities, such as volunteer work, education, or training, for at least 80 hours per month unless they meet an exemption from the requirement.
If they do not meet an exemption or requirement, they can only receive three full months of CalFresh benefits every 3 years. Read more below or use this screener to see if you are required to meet the new work requirement.
A note before you get started: CalFresh work requirements and exemptions are nuanced. The questions below can help you understand whether a work requirement or exemption may apply to you, but they are not an eligibility determination. Contact your county or CalFresh caseworker to confirm which requirements apply to you.
If you said YES to any of the questions above, the CalFresh time limit may not apply to you. Contact your county or CalFresh caseworker to confirm whether you are exempt and whether you need to provide any additional information.
CalFresh can be received for as long as your situation stays the same. Submit any required verifications with the application to show meeting the work rule or the applicable exemption.
Recertification Process: Individuals who fall into the groups above will not experience any changes to their recertification process. Their certification period and recertification schedule will remain the same.
Exemptions
You may be exempt from the workforce requirements if you meet any of the following exemptions.
If you said YES to any of the questions above, you may be exempt from the CalFresh work requirements or time limit. Exemptions may require additional information or verification. Contact your county or CalFresh caseworker to confirm whether an exemption applies to you. CalFresh can be received for as long as your situation stays the same. Submit any required verifications with the application to show meeting the work rule or the applicable exemption.
Recertification Process: Individuals who qualify for an exemption will also continue on their existing certification period and recertification schedule. The only change is that they will need to verify their exemption at recertification.
Workforce Requirement
If you do not meet any of the exemption requirements and are 16-59 years old, you will be required to meet a work requirement to keep your benefits. You can combine the activities below to meet the 80-hour-per-month requirement.
Example: Brenda works 20 hours a week and volunteers 10 hours a week, for a total of 30 hours a week. William attends college 15 hours a week and works 15 hours a week, for a total of 30 hours a week.
Those who are subject to the time limit will need to verify at recertification that they are meeting the work and community engagement requirement. They are also required to report any time their work or participation hours fall below 20 hours per week during the certification period.
Recertification Process: Their certification period will remain the same unless they stop meeting the 20-hour-per-week work and community engagement requirement. If this occurs, their benefits will be discontinued, and they will need to regain eligibility before they can qualify for benefits again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to show proof for an exemption?
In many cases, you can confirm that you qualify for an exemption with a verbal statement. Your caseworker may ask for additional verification if they have questions about the information you provide. You may be asked to provide verification from a medical or mental health professional if it is not clear what is affecting your ability to work at least 20 hours per week.
Do I have to show proof of my work requirement?
If you are unable to provide proof of income through a paystub, you will need to provide proof another way. If you are self-employed, you can verify your hours through business records, written statements from individuals or organizations you provide services to, or an acceptable collateral contact.
If you regularly volunteer or participate in community service, verification is only required when you first apply and when you recertify. If you participate in a one-time volunteer or community service activity, you will need to provide additional verification showing how you plan to continue meeting the work requirement after your volunteer work or community service ends.
What additional requirements are there to meet the extended foster youth requirement??
To be eligible for extended foster care (foster care between ages 18 and 21), young adults are required to do at least one of the following:
- Go to school (high school or post-secondary)
- Work for at least 80 hours a month
- Be engaged in a program to reduce barriers to employment
- Have a medical condition that prevents them from meeting the other eligibility requirements
Older youth in and leaving foster care, whether supervised by child welfare or juvenile probation, are eligible for Independent Living Services through the county’s Independent Living Program (ILP), which helps prepare them for adulthood and includes preparing for and maintaining employment. These services are documented in the young person's Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP).
Activities completed through an ILP or TILP may count toward the CalFresh work and community engagement requirement if they meet federal definitions of allowable work, education, training, or employment-readiness activities. Internships, work experience programs, and hours spent by students who are less than half-time participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE) may also satisfy the ABAWD work and community engagement requirement.
What if I am temporarily unable to meet the work requirement because of illness or other reasons?
Good cause must be determined on a case-by-case basis and can only be granted for one month at a time. Good cause includes, but is not limited to:
- Illness
- Illness of another household member requiring your presence
- A household emergency
- Receiving a Medi-Cal hardship
- A declaration of disaster
- Lack of transportation
If good cause is granted, the reason for the determination must be documented in your case record.
What happens if I don’t qualify for an exemption but am unable to meet the work requirements?
If you do not meet the qualifications for an exemption and are unable to meet the work requirement, you will only be able to receive CalFresh benefits for three months during a 36-month period. The individual will remain ineligible for the remainder of the 36-month period unless they regain CalFresh eligibility, qualify for an exemption, or move to a waived county or area.
Am I able to get benefits back after I am dropped?
In certain circumstances, individuals may be granted an additional three consecutive months of CalFresh eligibility after they have exhausted their three countable months. This only applies to individuals who have regained CalFresh eligibility by satisfying the work and community engagement requirement for any 30 consecutive calendar days.
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