The California Department of Social Services has released Questions and Answers about HR 1 CalFresh work requirements.

Counties cannot implement policy changes in HR 1, including screening under the modified HR 1 exemptions from work requirements, until June 1, 2026.

An applicant, authorized representative, or another household member, can provide information to complete work registration or work participation exemption screening for another household member. If the person reporting the information cannot provide all requested information, the county must send a request to the individual.  If the individual does not respond within 10 days, the county must apply the three month time limit.  Information for all other household members should be processed.

Exemptions can be applied retroactively. If an individual reports information mid-period that triggers an exemption, the county must act on that information within 10 days.

Applications received before June 1, 2026, and recertifications that are due before June 1, 2026, must be screened using the pre-HR 1 rules, even if approval is after June 1, 2026.

Individuals age 60-64 are exempt from work registration, but are not automatically exempt from work participation. An individual may not be found to meet the obviously unfit to work exception to work participation based only on age.  The obvious unfitness exception requires county observation that the individual has a physical or mental impairment that makes it difficult to meet the 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month participation requirement. The individual may also be exempt if they have medical certification of unfitness to work, or they are receiving or applying for disability benefits. If a recipient turns age 65 they are no longer subject to work requirements

Individuals must be screened for an HR 1 exemption before the time limit can be applied.

Counties cannot require a specific type of verification.  Verification methods can include documentary evidence, electronic verification, collateral contacts, and, if necessary, the client’s statement.

Self-attestation is sufficient to qualify for the Native Americans exception to HR 1.

If verification of the Urban Indian exception is questionable, the county can reference the California Urban Indians website for more information.

Multiple adults in the same household can get a work requirement exception for caring for the same child under age 14 if they reside in the same CalFresh household. If the recipient turns 65, they are no longer considered subject to work requirements.  The CalSAWS system will automatically stop coding an individual as subject to work requirements starting the month of their 65th birthday.

If a recipient who has not been screened under the HR 1 exemption criteria reports a change mid-period that would make them ineligible for an exemption, the exemption continues until their next recertification when they can be rescreened.  If an individual who has been screened for HR 1 exemptions voluntarily reports a change that would end their exemption, the county cannot apply the time limit until they are rescreened at recertification to determine if another exemption applies.

Recipients who have been screened under the HR 1 criteria and found subject to the three month time limit must report a drop in work hours below 20 hours per week averaged monthly.

When a household reports a change in household composition on or after June 1, 2026, new household members must be screened under the HR 1 criteria.

Households are considered informed of the time limit and work requirements only after they have been given both a verbal explanation, and the CF 886 informing notice.

Elderly Simplified Application Process (ESAP) households are not required to have an interview for recertification. The county must attempt to contact the ESAP household at least three times if it needs more information to determine if an exemption applies.  However, if the county does not have enough information to determine if the ESAP household is exempt from the three month time limit after those contact attempts, the county must schedule an interview.  If the ESAP household does not complete the interview, their recertification must be denied.  (ACIN I-14-26, April 14, 2026.)

The California Department of Social Services has released the CalFresh

Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents Time Limit Handbook Version 3.0.  The new handbook updates time limit waivers, work related policies, time limit exemptions, satisfying work and community engagement requirements, discretionary exemptions, counting months, ongoing eligibility, special circumstances, notice requirements, tracking participation, and the California Food Assistance Program.  The new handbook is effective June 1, 2026.  The prior handbook released as ACL 19-93 is superceeded.  (ACL 26-29, April 15, 2026.)

In general, students who are enrolled in an institution of higher learning at least half time are ineligible for CalFresh.  There are several exceptions to that rule.  One of those exceptions is when the student is in a program designated as a Local Program that Increases Employability.  Effective June 1, 2026, all associates and bachelor’s degree programs at a California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus will be considered LPIEs.

This means that anyone attending a California Community College, California State University or University of California campus at least half time, and who is enrolled in an associates or bachelor’s degree program in any major, is exempt from the CalFresh student exclusion.  This includes associates degrees for transfer.  Students who have not declared a major but are in enrolled in general education courses requires to obtain a associates or bachelor’s degree will also be exempt from the CalFresh student exclusion.  A client’s verbal or written statement that they are enrolled in an associates or bachelor’s program at a public institution of higher learning is acceptable verification unless it is questionable.

The student exclusion still applies to students enrolled in private institutions, and to students who are not enrolled in associates or bachelor’s degree programs.  This includes graduate/advanced degree programs, certificate programs, Career and Technical Education programs, and adult basic education programs.  However, such programs can still be submitted to the California Department of Social Services for evaluation whether they qualify for the Local Program that Increases Employability exception to the CalFresh student rule.

The expansion of programs that qualify as LPIEs must be applied to all new CalFresh applications starting June 1, 2026.  The new definition will apply to ongoing households when they recertify.  However, voluntary reports will be acted upon if they increase benefits.  (ACL 26-25, April 13, 2026.)