ABAWD Time Limit Exemptions

Individuals who are ABAWDs but meet the criteria for an exemption are not subject to the time limit. During months when an individual is not subject to the time limit, the individual must continue to meet all other CalFresh eligibility criteria to receive benefits.

The following section describes individuals who are not ABAWDs as well as individuals who are ABAWDs but meet the criteria for an exemption. Neither is subject to the time limit. Individuals are not subject to the time limit if they are:

  1. Under 18 or over 64 years of age (not an ABAWD)

    1. Note: Individuals are no longer considered ABAWDs starting the month of their 65th birthday. Example: A CalFresh participant turns 65 on November 15, 2026. This individual would no longer be subject to the ABAWD time limit beginning November 1, 2026.

  2. Residing in a CalFresh household with a household member under age 14
  3. Pregnant
  4. Exempt from CalFresh work registration requirements, which includes any client who is:
    1. Under 16 or over 64 years of age (note: the work registration age limits are different than the age limits under ABAWD rules)
    2. Physically or mentally unfit for employment: May not use a definition that is less restrictive than the definition used for the CalWORKs WTW Program.
    3. Subject to and complying with any work requirement under Title IV of the Social Security Act, including CalWORKs programs
    4. A parent of or responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 6 (Note: the child does not have to be a CalFresh member or living in the home for this work registration exemption)
    5. Responsible for the care of an incapacitated person, including SSI/SSP or IHSS recipients (Note: the incapacitated person does not have to be a CalFresh household member or living in the home)
    6. Has applied for or is receiving unemployment insurance benefits
    7. A regular participant in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program
    8. Employed or self-employed at least 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours
    9. Enrolled in a school, training program, or institution of higher education on at least a half-time basis and meeting CalFresh student eligibility.

    10. Note: Refer to CalFresh Chapter 27 for further information on Work Registration.

  5. Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit to work (even if temporarily) for one of the following reasons:
    1. Applied/receiving temporary or permanent public or private disability benefits
    2. Obviously unfit or unable to work based on the SSBS’s observation.
    3. Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit or unable to work
  6. Participating in an ORR training program for at least half time.
  7. Meet the definition of Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian as defined under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA)
  8. Homeless individuals
  9. US Veterans
  10. Foster Youth aged 24 and under

Important: For applications and recertifications dated prior to June 1, 2026, the ABAWD age range is 18–54, and the child exemption applies to households with a child under age 18. ABAWD Time Limit Exemptions under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2023, such as individuals experiencing homelessness, Veterans, and Foster Youth, also apply.

Retrospective Determination

ABAWD exemption status can be granted retrospectively when the SSBS verifies during certification.

ExampleExample

A household reports on his/her SAR 7 in March that an ABAWD member was injured in January and cannot work since. The ABAWD exemption status due to unfit for work must be applied effective January, and the ABAWD status must be changed to exempt for January, February, March and the following months until the exemption ends.

Related Topics

ABAWD Time Limit