Initial Determination

An initial determination is required for:

  • All applicants to determine if they meet the definition of an ABAWD at the time of application. This includes individuals who received CalFresh from another county or state.

    • Note: Once an individual’s ABAWD period has begun, that individual remains on the ABAWD calendar regardless of whether that individual later becomes exempt, or is discontinued, and subsequently reapplies.

  • All individuals who do not meet the definition of an ABAWD at the time of application but who later do so because of a change in circumstances.

Potential ABAWDs

A potential ABAWD household includes an individual who can be reasonably anticipated to become an ABAWD at some point within the certification period. An existing ABAWD household includes an individual who is clearly an ABAWD at the time of certification.

ExampleExample

A household consisting of a 40‑year‑old able‑bodied mother and her 17‑year‑old able‑bodied son is an example of a potential ABAWD household. The mother is already an ABAWD and is currently subject to the ABAWD time limit. The worker should inform the household that the son will also become an ABAWD when he turns 18. At that point, both household members will be subject to the ABAWD three‑month time limit unless they meet the ABAWD work requirement or qualify for an exemption.

The worker should also advise the household to report if either member begins meeting the ABAWD work requirement or experiences a change that would make them exempt from the time limit. It is the household’s responsibility to report changes that may remove them from the time limit during the certification period. 

Informing Requirements

An individual cannot be considered an ABAWD, be subject to the time limit, or be required to make a mandatory mid-period report of a drop in ABAWD work hours until they have been informed of the ABAWD time limit rules. Individuals who are not informed of the ABAWD time limit rules (at initial certification, periodic report, or recertification) cannot be held accountable for reporting changes in their circumstances that may cause them to become subject to the time limit mid-period.

  • The SSBS must inform ABAWD and potential ABAWD households of the time limit, exemption criteria (including exemptions from the general work requirements), and how to fulfill the ABAWD work requirement, as these rules and responsibilities are fundamental to their eligibility for CalFresh. At a minimum, this must take place during the eligibility interview.
  • ABAWD households must be informed of the requirement to report whenever their work hours fall below 20 hours per week, averaged monthly. This requirement must be explained to the household both verbally and in writing at application and recertification.

ABAWD Screening Process at Intake

During intake, the SSBS must continue to assess all adult CalFresh (CF) applicants for work requirements and ABAWD status.

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.

The following steps outline the intake procedure:

Step Who Action
1 Intake SSBS

To make the initial determination of whether a person is an ABAWD, refer to the following: 

Item Action
Age
  • Is this person under 18 or 65 years of age or older?
  • Does the person have any dependents under 14 years of age?
If... Then...
Yes, STOP HERE. This person is not an ABAWD.
No, Proceed to the Exemption section. 
Exemption

Does this person meet any of the exemptions listed below:

  • Pregnant
  • Part of a CalFresh household which includes a child (whether included or excluded) under 14 years of age
  • Physically or mentally unfit for work
  • Applied for or receiving temporary or permanent disability benefits
  • Exempt from CalFresh work registration requirements
  • Participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program for at least half-time
  • Meet the definition of Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian as defined under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).
If... Then...
Yes, Enter the appropriate exemption information in the case record. This person is not subject to the time limit.
No, Proceed to the Work Requirement section.
Work Requirement

Does this person satisfy the ABAWD work requirement?

  • Employed for at least 20 hours per week on average/80 hours per month (includes paid employment, self-employment, and in-kind work)
  • Participating in community service or volunteer work
  • Participating in E&T activities
  • Participating in Workfare (CalFresh E&T workfare, self-initiated E&T, and non-E&T workfare)
  • Participating in a program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974 (EDD program).
If... Then...
Yes, Enter the appropriate work information in the case record. This person is not subject to the time limit.
No,

This person is an ABAWD who is subject to the three-month time limit.

Proceed to step #2.
2 Intake SSBS

Assess each applicable individual’s circumstances to identify which rules apply:

  • Work registration
  • ABAWD time limit
  • CalFresh Employment & Training (E&T) participation.
3 Intake SSBS

Review the CalFresh Work Rules Oral Script with the applicant:

  • Explain the three-month time limit within any 36-month period
  • Review the requirement to work or participate in approved activities for at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month)
  • Discuss available exemptions (e.g., disability, caregiving responsibilities, student status) 
  • Instruct clients to report any drop below 20 hours per week/80 hours in a month.
4 Intake SSBS

Provide the CalFresh Notice of Work Rules (CF 886).
5

Intake SSBS

 

 

Screen all adult applicants ages 18-64:

If... Then...
The individual is exempt,
  • Enter exemption details in the appropriate CalSAWS pages; refer to the ABAWD Guide for CalSAWS entries 
  • Document the exemption in the Case Journal.
The Individual is not exempt,
  • Review countable months 
  • Determine if the client meets the work requirement through participation in approved programs. If:
    • Yes, make appropriate entries in CalSAWS. Refer to the ABAWD Guide.    
    • No, proceed to the next step.
The client is a General Assistance (GA)/CF applicant,
6 Intake SSBS

Offer participation through a Third-Party Partner (TPP):

If... Then...
The client accepts,

Note: Offer clients who partially meet the ABAWD work requirement but need additional hours a referral to TPPs first.  
The client declines,
  • Proceed to the next step.
7 Intake SSBS

Encourage volunteer options:

If... Then...
The client is interested in volunteering,
  • Inform the client of available volunteer activities and provide the following forms:
    • Second Harvest (SCD 2639)
    • WIOA Partner Directory. 
The client declines,
  • Explain that they may still receive CalFresh for up to three months within a 36-month period without meeting the work requirement. Inform the client if any countable months have already been used.
  • No referral is made.
8 Intake SSBS

Ensure all system entries are completed in CalSAWS. Refer to the ABAWD Guide.

Important: All ABAWD determinations (e.g., exempt status) and actions taken must be documented in the Journal Detail page.

Information Known to the County

The hours in unpaid county-supervised work activities, such as workfare and VS, are not subject to mandatory reporting, as this information is known to the county. The SSBS receives a task to review the hours at intake. 

The following steps outline the task processing process:

Step Who Action
1 Intake SSBS

The SSBS reviews the hours to determine if the client is meeting the ABAWD work requirement of 20 hours per week/80 hours per month before applying a countable month.

If... Then...
The hours meet the ABAWD work requirement,
  • Proceed to step #2.
The hours do not meet the ABAWD work requirement,  
  • Proceed with the assessment. 
The client states that their hours have increased or that they are engaged in another qualifying activity,
  • Allow the client 10 days to verify whether their hours have increased or whether they are participating in another qualifying activity.
There is no increase in hours or qualifying activity, 
  • Apply the countable month(s). 

Reminder: Effective June 1, 2026, applications dated the first of the month are subject to the countable month criteria unless the client is eligible for good cause or an exemption. Applications dated on or after the second of the month in an application month receive prorated benefits and are considered non-countable months.     
2 Intake SSBS Ensure the appropriate participation hours are in the case record. Refer to the ABAWD Guide for CalSAWS entries.
3 Intake SSBS Document actions and determination in the Journal Detail page.

Important: When processing a CalFresh application as ES, verification for the ABAWD eligibility may be postponed until the 30th day after the application date.