CFET and Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) who do not qualify for an exemption are subject to the time limit and must satisfy the work requirement to maintain CF eligibility. There are multiple ways an ABAWD can satisfy the work requirement; one of those ways is by participation in a Qualifying Work Activity, such as a CFET qualifying component.  A Qualifying Work Activity satisfies the work requirement by participation of at least 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly) in an allowable work activity, or a combination of allowable work activities.

Satisfying ABAWD Work Requirements with CFET Components

CFET components that satisfy the work requirement are referred to as qualifying activities. CFET components that do not satisfy the work requirement are referred to as non-qualifying activities. However, when offered in certain combinations with another CFET component they count as qualifying work activities. Descriptions of these components can be found in CFET Components.

Workfare

The requirement to work 20 hours per week (80 hours averaged monthly) to satisfy the ABAWD work requirement does not apply to Workfare. For Workfare, the number of Workfare hours required monthly is determined by dividing the household’s CalFresh allotment by the higher of the state, city, or county minimum wage. When calculating Workfare hours round down to the nearest hour.
Example:Example:

The first 30-days of Workfare can be spent participating in 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month of Job Search only. Participation in 30-days of Job Search is considered part of Workfare and satisfies the ABAWD work requirement for that initial month.

The number of Workfare hours required to satisfy the work requirement applies to the entire CF household. If more than one member of a CF household participates in Workfare, each participant shall participate for a portion of the number of Workfare hours required for that household. Members of the same household may split the required Workfare hours in any combination or a single ABAWD subject to the time limit may complete the total required hours on behalf of the household.

Example:Example:

CFET components that are non-qualifying activities:

• Non-Education, Non-Work Components
  • Supervised Job Search, or
  • Job Retention.

Descriptions of these components can be found in CFET Components.

These two activities are non-qualifying when they stand alone. But when offered in combination with another a CFET component that is a qualifying work activity, except for Workfare, the combined hours count as a qualifying work activity and will satisfy the ABAWD work requirement.

Non-Qualifying if Stand Alone	Qualifying if Combined With
Supervised Job Search Job Retention	Education Components Vocational Training or Career/Technical Education Programs Adult Basic Education or HSE ESL Work Components Work Experience Internships Pre-Apprenticeships / Apprenticeships OJT

Hours spent in Supervised Job Search that are offered in combination with another CFET component will count toward the ABAWD work requirement provided time in Supervised Job Search constitutes less than half of the combined total (up to 9 hours per week, or 39 monthly).

Example:Example:

Various CFET components may be combined to reach the 20 hour per week minimum along with any hours worked in paid employment or in other qualifying work activities. An individual could satisfy the work requirement by working 15 hours per week in paid employment and participating in a CFET qualifying activity 5 hours per week.

Example:Example: