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The Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Time Limit

Welcome to the CalFresh Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Time Limit webpage. This page provides general information about the ABAWD time limit in California.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ABAWD TIME LIMIT

The President signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) into law on June 3, 2023. The FRA changes the age for people who are subject to the ABAWD time limit. Effective October 1, 2024, the age of those subject to the ABAWD time limit increases to age 54.

The FRA also adds new exemptions for people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and persons 24 years or younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday. These changes are temporary and will expire on October 1, 2030. More information is available below.

CalFresh ABAWD Time Limit Questions and Resources

What is the ABAWD Time Limit?

The ABAWD time limit is a federal rule. People who are considered ABAWDs are limited to 3 full months of CalFresh benefits every 36-months (3 years). ABAWDs may receive benefits for longer than 3 months if they are working, excused from the time limit, or are living in an area that is waived from the time limit.

People who are ABAWDs must do certain work-related activities to remain eligible for CalFresh for more than 3 months. They must be working or doing approved work activities for at least 80 hours per month. This includes paid work, unpaid work, and in-kind work. In-kind work is working in exchange for a service, such as working off rent. The county can help connect ABAWDs with local work opportunities in the area to meet the ABAWD work rules.

It is important to note that not all counties in California have a time limit, some counties are waived from the ABAWD time limit rules if the county meets certain criteria – like having a high unemployment rate. Counties that do not meet the criteria to be waived must have the ABAWD time limit rule in place.

Who is an ABAWD?

An ABAWD is a person:

  • Between the ages of 18 and 54,
  • Who can work, and
  • Who does not have children under age 18 living in the CalFresh household.

When the ABAWD time limit is in place, ABAWDs must work or participate in a work activity to keep their CalFresh benefits for longer than 3 months unless they are excused from ABAWD rules.

Who is not an ABAWD?

You are not an ABAWD if:

  • You are under age 18 or over age 54
  • Have children under age 18 in your CalFresh household
  • You are excused from the general CalFresh work rules if you are:
    • Younger than age 16, or age 60 or older.
    • Caring for a dependent child under age 6 (they do not have to live with you).
    • Caring for a person with a disability (they do not have to live with you).
    • Working at least 30 hours a week or earning at least $217.50 (current federal minimum wage x 30 hours) each week before taxes.
    • Getting or applying for unemployment benefits.
    • Getting or applying for disability benefits from any source (disability benefits include, but are not limited to pensions, workers’ compensation, disability insurance, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and veteran’s benefits).
    • Disabled.
    • Going to school, college, or a training program at least half-time (additional student eligibility rules may apply).
    • Meeting work rules for another program, like CalWORKs.
    • In a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program.

How can you be excused from the ABAWD time limit?

You may be excused from the ABAWD time limit if you are:

  • Unable to work at least 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours or more per month because of a physical or mental health issue.
  • Unable to work at least 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours or more per month because of a personal issue including if you are:
    • Struggling with a drug or alcohol problem.
    • A victim of domestic violence.
  • Living in a CalFresh household with a child under age 18 (this can be your own child, sibling, or any other child in your CalFresh household).
  • Pregnant (any stage of pregnancy).
  • Experiencing homelessness.
  • A veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States (this includes veterans who were honorably or dishonorably discharged).
  • Under age 25 and were in foster care on your 18th birthday.

ABAWD Time Limit Counties in California

The USDA FNS approved California’s statewide ABAWD time limit waiver request starting November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025. This new one-year statewide waiver will begin after our current 24-month statewide waiver ends on October 31, 2024.

This means no ABAWDs living in California will have to meet the work requirement to keep receiving CalFresh benefits. ABAWDs who have lost their CalFresh benefits may reapply and continue to receive CalFresh if otherwise eligible.