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 an 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.

Initial Determination Decision Chart

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

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.

Step

Item

Action
1

AGE
  • Is this person under 18 or 65 years of age or older?
  • Does the person have any dependents?

If yes, STOP HERE. This person is not an ABAWD.

If no, go to step #2.
2 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 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 yes, enter the appropriate exemption information in the case record. This person is not subject to the time limit.

If no, go to step # 3.
3 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 yes, enter the appropriate work information in the case record. This person is NOT subject to the time limit.

If no, go to step #4.
4

Subject to Time Limit

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

 

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