CalWORKs Individual Time Limit Exemptions

Exemptions only apply to individuals who have NOT reached their CalWORKs 60-month lifetime limit. The exemption will stop the ticking of the time on aid clock.

When an individual is included in an AU which meets one of the following conditions, that month is an Exempt month and does NOT count towards the individual’s 60-month CalWORKs time limit:

Sixty (60) years of age or older.
Disabled as determined by a doctor’s verification, and
- Is actively seeking appropriate medical treatment, and
- The disability is expected to last at least 30 days, and
- The disability significantly impairs the individual’s ability to be regularly employed or to participate in self-sufficiency activities.
Head of Household eligible for, and participating in or exempt from, the Cal-Learn program.
- Note: A Nineteen (19) year-old teen parent who does NOT volunteer for Cal-Learn is not eligible for this exemption. These individuals are NOT considered “eligible for” or “participating in” Cal-Learn.
A Non-minor dependent is exempt from welfare-to-work participation.
An individual living in Indian country, as defined by federal law, or an Alaskan native village, in which at least 50% of the adults living in the Indian country or in the village are not employed.
A nonparent caretaker relative:
- Who has primary responsibility for providing care to a child who is a dependent or ward of the court, or at risk of placement in Foster Care, AND
- Who has caretaking responsibilities beyond those considered normal in day-to-day parenting, so that the caretaker’s ability to be regularly employed or to participate in self-sufficiency activities is impaired.
Caring for an ill or incapacitated person residing in the home and the ability to be regularly employed or to participate in self-sufficiency activities is impaired.
A victim of domestic abuse and it has been determined that good cause exists for waiving the 60-month time limit.
Excluded from the AU for any reason other than reaching the 60-month time limit (i.e., sanctioned).
- Note: Months in which an individual is under penalty (i.e The individual remains in the AU but that person’s needs are removed) count towards the 60-month CalWORKs time limit.
The cash aid for a month is fully reimbursed by child support, whether collected in that month or any subsequent month. This includes child support reimbursements for months of aid from other counties and states.
The individual is a former recipient of cash aid and is only receiving child care, case management, or supportive services.
A Diversion Payment was made for a month within the Diversion period and the individual reapplies during that Diversion period, is determined eligible and repays the Diversion Payment. Refer to Diversion for complete information.
There is no cash aid payment made for the month because the grant amount is $10 or less. This includes the Zero Basic Grant (ZBG) months unless either of the following exist:
- Grant reduced below $10 as a result of adjustments due to penalties or overpayment recoupments, or
- Recipient received a non-recurring special needs payment for the month, such as CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) payments.
Months in which an Executive Order (EO) did not count aid received towards the time limit due to COVID-19. The CalWORKs Time Clock Good Cause exemption of “Lacking supportive service from the county” was reinstated and applied to all active adults in CalWORKs cases.
- This exemption excludes individuals who have or exceeded the TANF 60-Month Time on Aid Clock and has reached the 60-month Time Clock prior to March 2020.
- The time frame for each EO are as follows:
  - EO N-29-20
    - March 2020 to June 2020,
  - EO N-69-20
    - July 2020 to August 2020 and
  - EO N-75-20
    - September 2020 to April 2022.
Receiving Paid Family Leave (this exemption is effective October 1, 2024).

CalWORKs Individual Time Limit Exemptions

Related Topics