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Check CalFresh work requirements

Review ABAWD rules, exemptions and date-specific county waivers.

Before you start

Choose your county to find its benefits office and local programme information.
CalFresh helps with food; CalWORKs provides cash assistance to eligible families. The eligibility rules differ.
Check the dates on income tables and county work-rule waivers. Your notice gives your case-specific reporting and renewal deadlines.

1 guide with reviewed service links · Orange

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Highlighted counties have a reviewed service guide matching this selection. An agency may serve only a city or part of a county.

California58 counties

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Map source

U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.

County government · Orange

Social Services

Social services

CalFresh work rules, exemptions and county waiversOfficial instructions

State guidance; waiver locations and dates are shown separately.

Source checked October 15, 2026

California Department of Social Services · CalFresh / CalWORKs — state-abawd (opens in a new tab)

ABAWD three-month limit and who is subject to it

The ABAWD work requirement is a federal rule. People who are considered ABAWDs can only get 3 full months of CalFresh benefits every 3 years. ABAWDs may get benefits for longer than 3 months if they are working, excused from the work requirement, or are living in a county that is waived from the work requirement. The ABAWD work requirement applies to you if you: Are between the ages of 18 and 64 years old; Do not live in a CalFresh household with a CalFresh household member under 14 years old; Are considered physically and mentally able to work at least 20 hours per week; and Are not excused from the rule.

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