ABAWD Basics
This acronym includes adults ages 18 - 64 who are not caring for a child under 14.
What is ABAWD
Applications received on or after this date will be evaluated under the ABAWD policy.
What is June 1, 2026?
This is the federal timeframe used to measure ABAWD eligibility.
What is a 36month period
Living with a child under 14 exempts an adult from ABAWD rules, even if this is not true.
What is being related to the child?
You may provide this resource for customers asking what exemptions they may qualify. (What are the key responses?)
Note the key language used in several of the responses in the attachment:
This is the federal rule that limits certain adults to 3 months of CalFresh benefits in a 36month period.
What is the ABAWD work requirement?
This event triggers when current CalFresh recipients will be screened for exemptions.
What is their next recertification?
This is the maximum amount of CalFresh aid a nonexempt ABAWD can receive in a 36month period
What is 3 months?
This is who will tell you whether you qualify for an exemption
Who is an eligibility worker?
A customer is asking why their friend in another county doesn’t have to meet the requirement. What should be told to this customer?
Other counties may be under a waiver
ABAWDs may receive benefits longer than 3 months if they meet one of these two conditions.
What is working or being exempt?
This group will be evaluated under the new policy immediately upon applying.
Who are new CalFresh applicants?
This is what the County will NOT automatically do if someone does not meet the work requirements.
What is close their case immediately?
This is when current recipients will learn whether they meet an exemption.
What is at their next interview?
A customer asking whether they must be related to a child under 14 will be told this.
No, there is no relationship requirement?
This is the number of full months of CalFresh benefits ABAWDs can receive in a 3-year period if they do not meet the requirement.
What is 3 months?
This is the earliest point at which the County will notify current recipients about ABAWD impacts.
What is during their recertification interview?
This is the point in the process when current CalFresh recipients will be evaluated for exemptions.
What is their next recertification interview?
This is what a customer can do if they want exemption information immediately.
What is ask to be transferred to Tier 2?
A customer who wants more information now can be referred here.