California Expands Ways to Meet CalFresh Work Requirements: Adult Education, Apprenticeships and Career Technical Education Now Count Toward the 20-Hour Weekly Rule
The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced in Sacramento on October 26 that California has approved statewide standards recognizing more existing employment and training programs as qualifying activities for meeting CalFresh work and community engagement requirements. CalFresh is California's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Adult education, apprenticeships and career technical education (CTE), among other programs, can now count toward the requirements, helping more eligible people keep their food benefits.
The move follows federal changes. Last year, H.R.1, enacted by the Republican majority in Congress and President Trump, tightened SNAP eligibility and expanded work requirements; as of June 1, 2026, more recipients must verify that they meet the expanded work and community engagement requirements to get or keep CalFresh benefits. Under federal rules, able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) subject to the time limit must work or take part in a qualifying activity for at least 20 hours per week, or 80 hours averaged monthly, to receive benefits for more than three months in a 36-month period. The requirements generally apply to people ages 18 to 64 who do not have a disability and do not live with a household member under 14. California implemented the new rule in most counties on June 1, 2026; seven counties — Colusa, Imperial, Kings, Merced, Monterey, Plumas and Tulare — hold a federal waiver from November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027.
Until now, California had no approved state standards, so many programs that promote work readiness and economic mobility were not recognized as qualifying activities. In an October 23 memorandum to Governor Gavin Newsom, CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson confirmed the standards under federal regulation 7 CFR 273.24(a)(3)(iii), developed by CDSS together with LWDA, including the Employment Development Department (EDD), and approved on behalf of the Chief Executive Office. Under the standards, a program must be operated or supervised by the state or a political subdivision — including programs run by non-governmental entities under government supervision — and meet at least one criterion: providing basic skills, adult basic or adult secondary education, including programs leading to a high school diploma or equivalency; providing activities comparable to SNAP Employment and Training components, such as vocational training, job search training, career exploration and job coaching; providing citizenship, English as a second language or workforce preparation education; or providing employment preparation, occupational skills, career technical education or apprenticeship training. Programs may be delivered in person, online or in hybrid form, including self-paced learning, provided participation can be documented.
"When people are worried about having enough food to eat, it becomes much harder to gain the skills and experience needed to obtain and maintain stable employment," CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson said. LWDA Secretary Stewart Knox said the three agencies are aligning a wider range of education and training programs with the new federal requirements to give more Californians practical ways to stay connected to food assistance while they prepare for long-term employment. "By expanding the number of programs that meet these new federal requirements, California is not only helping people retain critical food benefits — we are also helping people build skills, secure employment, and ultimately achieve economic stability and mobility," CDSS Director Jennifer Troia said.
CalFresh is federally funded and administered by California counties, providing financial assistance for purchasing food to low-income California residents. Applications are available through GetCalFresh.org and BenefitsCal.com.
Related: California streamlines CalFresh access for college students, up to $306 a month for groceries
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：成人教育博览会上的成年学员（资料图）。COD Newsroom，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons，本站裁切。 / Adults at an adult education expo (file photo). COD Newsroom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
