The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding allocation and use of the 15% exemptions for counties implementing the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependants (ABAWD) requirement.
The ABAWD requirements is that able bodied persons age 18 to 49 are eligible for CalFresh for only 3 full months in a 36 month period unless they are exempt or satisfying work requirements. Federal law gives each state individual exemptions equal to 15% of its annual caseload. These exemptions allow counties to extend CalFresh eligibility to ABAWDs who would otherwise be ineligible. Each exemption is equal to one full month of CalFresh eligibility for one ABAWD.
The 15% exemptions are only available to persons at risk of losing CalFresh benefits for not satisfying work requirements. California has established equivalent exemptions for persons receiving California Food Assistance Program benefits. People serving a sanction are ineligible for a 15% exemption.
For the period September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are subject to the ABAWD requirement. The ABAWD requirement is implemented by first assessing persons subject to the ABAWD requirement and screening for exemptions, second engaging ABAWDs to find additional work or participate in qualifying work activities, then third providing 15% exemption to maintain food assistance.
For fiscal year 2018, California has 866,894 15% exemptions including exemptions carried over from prior years. (ACIN I-72-18, October 30, 2018.)