Monterey County says ABOD CalFresh work requirement will remain waived through Oct. 31, 2026; recipients to be screened for exemptions

Monterey County Department of Social Services staff told listeners April 15 that the able-bodied without dependents (ABOD) work requirement for CalFresh recipients is currently waived in Monterey County and will remain waived through Oct. 31, 2026.

"While that waiver is in effect, our CalFresh recipients who otherwise would have to be satisfying that work requirement, we will be continuing to waive that up until 10/31/2026," said Erin Callahan of the county's Community Benefits team. Callahan explained that ABOD applies to CalFresh recipients age 18 to 64 and generally requires a minimum of 20 hours of work weekly or 80 hours monthly to avoid time-limited benefits sanctions.

Callahan outlined qualifying ways to satisfy the requirement, including employment, education or vocational training, and community service placements administered by the county. She said county staff will screen applicants and active recipients for a range of exemptions (for example, caregiving responsibilities or medical inability to work) and noted the county's waiver was approved recently and applied retroactively to November.

County staff said they will give notice before taking action on cases and described a 30-day notice policy so that recipients will have time to prepare or seek services. Callahan also said the county is coordinating with workforce and CalWORKs services to scale referral options ahead of the waiver's expiration.

The briefing did not provide individual case-level advice; county staff said recipients should expect screening during renewals and encouraged those with questions to contact the Department of Social Services for guidance.