Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Calfresh Abod topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Monterey County says CalFresh ABOD work requirement is waived through Oct. 31, 2026, and outlines exemptions
Summary
Erin Callahan of the Monterey County Department of Social Services told an April 15 briefing that the county currently operates under a waiver for the CalFresh 'able-bodied without dependents' (ABOD) work requirement, and outlined how recipients can satisfy the requirement if the waiver expires. The county will provide 30-day notice before any enforcement change.
Monterey County’s Department of Social Services on April 15 clarified implementation of the CalFresh work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABOD) and said the county currently has an active waiver through Oct. 31, 2026.
Erin Callahan, speaking for the department, explained that the ABOD work requirement applies to adults ages 18–64 and typically requires 20 hours of work weekly or 80 hours per month. "We are currently under an active waiver here in Monterey County... we will be continuing to waive that up until 10/31/2026," Callahan said.
Callahan outlined the ways recipients can satisfy the requirement once applied: exemptions (care for a dependent child, medical inability to work), paid employment or self-employment meeting the hours, qualifying work activities such as education or vocational training through CalWORKs employment services, and community service placements coordinated via county General Assistance worksites.
She said the county’s waiver was approved recently and applied retroactively to November; recipients will be screened for exemptions at application or renewal and will be given a 30-day notice before any change in enforcement. "As we near October, we are ramping up our collaboration with our C West branch, to make sure we have the programs in line that we can refer individuals to should they want to meet the work requirement through education or vocational job training," Callahan said.
What recipients should do: Callahan urged applicants and active recipients to keep informed, respond to screening interviews and use available referrals; she said no action will be taken without prior notice to the household.
Provenance: CalFresh ABOD explanation and waiver status (SEG 499–SEG 671).
Speakers quoted: Erin Callahan (Department of Social Services).
