ABAWD Time Limit

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 limited the receipt of SNAP benefits, known as CalFresh in California, to three full months in a 36-month period for ABAWDs subject to the time limit.

ABAWDs can only get CalFresh for three months in 36 months if they do not meet certain work requirements or are not exempt. This is called the time limit.

To be eligible beyond the time limit, an ABAWD must work at least 80 hours per month, participate in qualifying education and training activities at least 80 hours per month, or comply with a workfare program. Workfare means that ABAWDs can do unpaid work through an approved program. For workfare, the amount of required work hours depends on the amount of benefits the CalFresh household received each month.

The time limit does not apply to people who are unable to work due to physical or mental health reasons, are pregnant, care for a child or incapacitated family member, or are exempt from the general work requirements.

Refer to Work Registration Requirements.

The Return of the ABAWD Time Limit

The time limit on ABAWDs is part of the law that governs the operation of CalFresh. It has been part of the law since 1996. Under the law, States can request to temporarily waive the ABAWD time limit when unemployment is high or when there are not enough jobs available.

Due to the economic downturn, California qualified for and chose to waive time limits in all of the State. Some parts of the country still have waivers in place. But, as the economy continues to improve, most states no longer qualify for time limit waivers, unless they have high unemployment or not enough jobs available. The ABAWD time limit waiver ends in the counties of Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Mateo on August 31, 2018.

The 36-Month Period

California has implemented a 36-month “fixed statewide clock.” Under the “fixed statewide clock” option, the 36-month period has the same beginning and end date in all 58 counties for all ABAWDs. Therefore, regardless of when an ABAWD applies for CalFresh, they will have the same 36-month- period.

The first fixed statewide clock began on January 1, 2017, and will end on December 31, 2019. A new fixed statewide clock will begin on January 1, 2020.