CalFresh work requirements start June 1

California began enforcing updated federal CalFresh work requirements on June 1, changing who must document work activity to keep food benefits. The rules apply to some adults ages 18 to 64 and revive a time-limit policy that had been broadly waived in California during and after the pandemic. State and county agencies say recipients who are not exempt may need to work, train, volunteer or complete other approved activities for 20 hours a week, or 80 hours a month, to stay eligible. Households already on CalFresh are not all being reviewed at once; counties say the checks happen at application or recertification. ### Who is newly affected starting June 1? The California Department of Social Services said the June 1 changes apply to certain CalFresh recipients who are between 18 and 64, do not have a disability and do not have a dependent child under age 14. The agency describes these as federal work and community engagement requirements layered onto existing CalFresh work registration rules. (cdss.ca.gov) KQED reported that California is enforcing expanded federal guidelines that now reach a wider group, including adults up to age 64 and some parents with children 14 and older. The outlet, citing state budget data, said the California Department of Social Services estimated 2.6 million Californians would be subject to the requirements starting June 1. (cdss.ca.gov) ### What exactly do recipients have to do? County agencies in Alameda, Los Angeles and San Francisco say non-exempt recipients can meet the rule through a mix of paid work, volunteer service, job training, employment programs or certain education activities. The standard most often cited is 20 hours per week or an average of 80 hours per month. (kqed.org) Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Social Services said a separate, broader work-registration rule still applies to many CalFresh participants ages 16 to 59. Under that rule, recipients may need to report work status, accept suitable work if offered, and avoid quitting a job or cutting hours below 30 a week without good cause. ### What happens if someone does not meet the rule? (socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov) Alameda County and San Francisco’s Human Services Agency said recipients covered by the new requirement can receive CalFresh for only three months within a three-year period if they do not meet the work standard and do not qualify for an exemption. That time-limit structure is tied to the federal Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, or ABAWD, policy. (dpss.lacounty.gov) KQED reported that as many as 562,000 CalFresh users could ultimately lose access to food benefits after the new time-limit rules are put in place, citing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised May budget and state social services estimates. ### Who is excused from the new requirement? County and state guidance says exemptions include people who are pregnant, physically or mentally unable to work, caring for a young child or a person with a disability, receiving or applying for disability or unemployment benefits, in treatment for substance use, or attending school or training at least half-time in some cases. (socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov) Some county materials also list people who are chronically homeless, members of federally recognized tribes, or already meeting work rules through another program such as CalWORKs. (kqed.org) The California Department of Social Services directs recipients to a state pre-screening tool to check whether they may have to comply or may be excused. Counties say case files may already contain proof for some exemptions, but workers can also ask for documents such as medical notes, pay stubs or school records. ### When will current recipients actually be reviewed? (cdss.ca.gov) Alameda County said new applications received on or after June 1, 2026, will be screened immediately for work requirements and exemptions. The county said current recipients will be screened at their next recertification due in June 2026 or later. (cdss.ca.gov) San Francisco and Los Angeles County issued similar guidance telling recipients to contact their benefits office, county agency or BenefitsCal if they think they qualify for an exemption or need help documenting hours. The state’s CDSS page also links to a pre-screening tool and county resources as the June 1 rollout begins. (cdss.ca.gov) (socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov)