New federal work rules begin affecting benefits Oct. 1
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. (San Diego News Online) — Approximately 1,700 San Diego County residents face losing CalFresh food assistance effective Oct. 1 if they fail to provide documentation showing they are complying with new federal work requirements or qualify for an exception by the end of September.
The federal work requirements became effective June 1, 2026, and apply to specific adults enrolled in CalFresh, which is California’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps.
San Diego County is assessing eligible individuals using the new standard as they apply for or recertify their benefits. Individuals eligible for the requirement usually get three months’ benefits as they become compliant with the standard, establish an exception, or engage in one of the qualifying activities.
What the new work requirement means
Adults subject to the new federal requirement must engage in one of the qualifying activities at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month on average to be eligible for more than three months of CalFresh.
Examples of activities that count toward the requirement include paid employment or self-employment, community service, volunteering, education, job training and participating in approved CalFresh Employment and Training programs.
Activities may be used in combination to reach the required hours.
Volunteer activities may include service performed for nonprofit organizations, food banks, schools, religious organizations and other qualifying community programs. San Diego County provides an optional form for verifying volunteer hours.
County personnel can also assist CalFresh recipients in identifying and engaging in qualifying activities and connecting residents to employment, educational and training opportunities.
Who may be exempt
The work requirement does not apply to all CalFresh recipients.
There are exemptions available to persons who are under the age of 18 or over the age of 64; caregivers for a child younger than 14; pregnant women; and people unable to work due to physical or mental health disabilities.
Other exemptions may include people caring for a disabled person; receiving or applying for disability benefits; participating in certain treatment or training programs; attending school at least half time; or meeting work requirements through another qualifying assistance program.
Some categories of recipients who previously had broader exemptions, including certain veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth, must comply with the work requirement unless they qualify for an exemption.
Since individual circumstances vary, CalFresh recipients who believe that they are exempt from the requirement should respond to county notices instead of waiting for the county to make that determination.
Three-month time limit
The federal requirement often referred to as the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement.
Individuals who are subject to the requirement and are not meeting the required activity levels or lack an exemption are generally eligible for CalFresh only for a total of three months within the three-year applicable period.
Earlier this year, San Diego County estimated that approximately 93,500 people may be subject to the ABAWD requirement in the first year of its implementation. Although the majority are expected to meet the work requirement or be exempt, the approximately 1,700 residents facing the October 1 termination are the first group to reach the end of their initial three-month period under the new standard.
Benefits may be restored
Ineligibility due to not satisfying the ABAWD work requirement does not mean that the individual is forever ineligible for CalFresh.
An individual who is ineligible for failing to satisfy the ABAWD requirement becomes eligible by completing the qualifying work or employment and training activities for at least 80 hours within a 30-day period, participating in qualifying workfare, or becoming exempt.
California law has always provided an opportunity for the ABAWD recipients to become eligible again by completing the qualifying work activity period.
Recipients will remain subject to eligibility determination, including CalFresh recertification requirements.
Work requirement has history dating back to 1996
Work requirement limiting food assistance is not new. The federal welfare reform law, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, established the three-month time limit and restrictions on certain adults without dependents regarding their receipt of three months of food assistance within three years unless they worked or engaged in approved activities.
The requirements, enforcement and exemptions have been modified several times, including geographic waivers during high unemployment periods and suspensions during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
In 2025, a federal legislation modified the SNAP requirements. California started implementing the expanded work and community engagement requirements on June 1, 2026. Under the current California law, the requirement generally applies until age 64 and to adults without a child younger than 14 unless another exemption applies.
What recipients should do now
San Diego County urges the eligible individuals to respond to information requests before the deadline and provide the required documentation regarding their compliance with the work requirement or support for the exception.
In addition, recipients should verify that their contact information is current at BenefitsCal.com to avoid missing notifications concerning their case.
CalFresh recipients in need of assistance can call the San Diego County Access Customer Service Call Center at 1-866-262-9881.
