Department CAP - September 2026

ABAWD Screening

100

When is ABAWD Screening Required?

CalFresh Eligibility Specialists must review and complete ABAWD screening at:

• Initial Application
• Recertification
• Applicable Mid-Period reports. (Voluntary/Mandatory)

ABAWD HB Pg. 4

200

What form is sent if the CFHH is unable to provide enough information for the ES to complete a proper screening?

CF 377.11E

If either the Head of Household or AR are unable to provide complete exemption screening information for an individual, and the ES is unable to establish exemption eligibility via information known to the system, the individual will:

• Be marked as ABAWD Mandatory,
• ES will send a CF 377.11E to the CFHH for that individual to complete and confirm exemption eligibility.
• If no response is received the individual will remain ABAWD Mandatory and required to satisfy the ABAWD work and community engagement requirements.

(Note: While Monterey County remains under an active ABAWD waiver those otherwise mandatory will continue to be exempt as, Geographically Waived.)

ABAWD HB Pg. 6

300

CFHH of 4

PSN01 - Mom age 35

PSN02 - Dad age 42

And their mutual USC children:

PSN03 – Daughter age 18

PSN04 – Son age 8

How many HH members will the ES have to talk with to complete ABAWD screening?

(1) ES staff do not need to conduct screening nor review the Oral Script individually for each ABAWD/Potential ABAWD.

The following can complete both ABAWD Screening and review of the Oral Script for all applicable ABAWD/Potential ABAWDs within the same CFHH:

• Head of Household
• Responsible household member (age 18+)
• Authorized Representative

ABAWD HB Pg. 5

CDSS Exemption File

100

Is the CDSS Exemption File real?

Yes, Exemptions created by the CDSS Exemption File are real and will be treated as verified.

Effective August 2026, CDSS will use various external statewide administrative data sources to identify individuals who are exempt from both the Work Registration and/or the ABAWD time limit, data sources include:

• Department of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)
• Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and
• Administrative Data available to CDSS across the various programs it administers.

Individuals determined exempt through state administrative data sources will be compiled into the CDSS Exemption file. Staff must treat data in this file as verified

CalFresh Bulletin - CDSS Exemption File

200

How long are exemptions applied by the CDSS Exemption File good for?

Exemptions applied by the CDSS Exemption File will be valid through the length of the individual’s certification period.

CalFresh Bulletin CDSS Exemption File

300

CFHH of 1 completing their September RE. Previously the individual was known to the system as ABAWD Mandatory, however while preparing for the RE Interview the ES notices a CDSS Exemption stating the customer is Exempt – Unfit for Employment Medically Verified with a begin date of 10.1.26. There is no supporting information available in the system and the customer did not report a condition. What does the ES Do?

Allow the CDSS Exemption to continue as it is considered verified and is for the upcoming certification period.

Though the ES is not required to request additional verification to allow the exemption, the ES will still be sure to follow up on whether on Medical Condition during Interactive Interview. Whether the customer confirms or declines, the exemption applied by the CDSS Exemption File remains verified and will be allowed. 

CalFresh Bulletin – CDSS Exemption File

RMP

100

What are the (4) instances ES staff should be checking RMP eligibility?

Determine RMP eligibility status for eligible CFHH at:

• Application,
• Recertification,
• SAR7, and
• When staff become aware of a change in the household’s circumstance that would enable RMP eligibility.

CF Special Programs HB Pg. 4

200

What is the criteria to be RMP eligible?

A CFHH is eligible to RMP if:

• All eligible CFHH members are experiencing homelessness or residing in a homeless shelter, and/or
• All eligible CFHH are adults aged 60 and older, excluding the spouse, or
• All eligible CFHH are people with disabilities, excluding the spouse.

Additionally, ineligible and/or excluded members Do Not need to meet the RMP criteria for the CFHH to be eligible for RMP.

CF Special Programs HB Pg. 3

300

Scenario: Is the following HH RMP eligible?

CFHH of (3)

• Person 1 – age 65

• Person 2 – age 55 (spouse of person 1)

• Person 3 – age 10

No, person 3 is not aged, blind, disabled, or homeless.

CF Special Programs HB. Pg. 3

Forms & Noticing

100

What form is required to satisfy the Oral Script Requirement?

The CF 886, staff must:

• Provide the customer with the Oral Script (thorough review of CF 886) and
• Send the CF 886 to the HH detailing the ABAWD status for each ABAWD/Potential ABAWD
• Document:
•    Exemption applied and
•    Oral Script relayed to the HH for each         ABAWD/Potential ABAWD and
•    CF 886 was sent in the Journal Entry

CF ABAWD HB Pg. 7

200

What form is required when denying RMP?

No Form! The CF 889 is only required when approving/discontinuing RMP eligibility. 

Send the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (CF 889) NOA when applicable. The CF 889 serves as both an approval and termination notice for the CalFresh RMP. 

• The CF 889 is not a CalFresh denial NOA and must not be provided to CalFresh households that are ineligible for the RMP.

CF Special Programs HB Pg. 4

300

How does one confirm RMP & ABAWD Status?

EDBC Results, ES staff must ensure to review the EDBC results when accepting cases. From EDBC staff can see if their HH is RMP eligible and confirm ABAWD status applied matches the expected result. (amongst other things)