Meet Work Rules to Keep Medi-Cal and CalFresh

New federal rules require some adults to do work or community activities to keep their CalFresh (food stamps) and Medi-Cal benefits. This page explains who is affected, who is exempt, and how to meet the rules. 

If you receive Medi-Cal and are required to meet the work requirement rules and you do not, you could lose your coverage.  

If you receive CalFresh and are required to meet the work requirement rules and you do not, you can only receive benefits for three months total within a three-year period. 

Complying with CalFresh work requirements satisfies the work requirements for Medi-Cal.  

These rules apply to adults ages 19-64 who get Medi-Cal through the Affordable Care Act expansions, including adults covered under the new rules for immigrants. 

You are exempt from the work requirements if you meet any of these conditions: 

• Age: You are under 19 years or 65 years and older. You are also exempt if you are under 26 years and were in foster care on your 18th birthday   
• Health: You are pregnant, have a disability, physical or mental health condition that prevents you from working, or participating in a substance use treatment program   
• Caregiving: You care for a person with a disability or a dependent child under the age of 14   
• You are receiving CalFresh and already subject to the CalFresh work requirements 
• Specific Groups: You have been released from jail or prison in the last 90 days, receive Medicare Part A or B, or are American Indian or Alaska Native 

These rules apply to adults between the ages of 18 and 64 years who are able to work and do not live with a child under the age of 14.  

Resource: CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Exemption Rules: Pre-Screening Tool from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) 

This tool provides guidance but cannot be used as official documentation that you are exempted from the work and community engagement rules. 

You are exempt from the work requirements if you fall into any one of the categories: 

• Age: Under age 18 years and age 65 years or older 
• Health: You are pregnant, have a physical or mental health condition that prevents you from working, or are in a substance use treatment or rehabilitation program 
• Caregiving: You care for a person with a disability or a dependent child under the age of 14 
• Other Benefits: You receive or are applying for disability benefits (like SSI or SDI) or unemployment benefits 
• Already meeting the work requirements: You are participating in another benefit program’s work requirement or working and earning at least $217.50 income per week. 
• School or training: Going to school or participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program at least half-time (student eligibility rules may apply)  
• Specific Groups: You identify as an Indian, Urban Indian or California Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) 

 Please get in touch with your benefit program to learn more about exemptions from the work requirement and other special circumstances. 

Resource: CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Exemption Rules: Pre-Screening Tool from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) 

This tool provides guidance but cannot be used as official documentation that you are exempted from the work and community engagement rules. 

If you are not exempt, you must complete at least 80 hours of qualifying work, school, training, volunteering, or other approved activities in any one month during the review period before your Medi-Cal renewal. 

For example, if your renewal is due in March 2027, you can meet the requirement by completing 80 hours in any one month between April 2026 and March 2027. 

These work activities also need to be documented and can be combined from different activities.   

Qualifying activities include:  

• Working at a job  
• Volunteering or doing community service 
• Participating in a job training or employment program, including certain programs offered by SFHSA 
• Enrolled in school less than half-time  

Starting in 2027, you will be able to self-report your work hours and activities through the Medi-Cal application (online, in person or by phone). The verification form will be included in your renewal packets. 

You can meet the CalFresh work requirements through workfare, a supervised volunteer activity at a nonprofit organization in exchange for benefits. Depending on benefit levels, you may need to complete as few as 15 hours per month, rather than 80 hours required for other activities. Learn more.  

If you are not participating in workfare, you must complete 80 hours of work activities per month. These work activities also need to be documented and can be combined from different activities.  

Qualifying activities include:  

• Working at a job 
• Volunteering or doing community service 
• Participating in a job training or employment program, including certain programs offered by SFHSA 
• Enrolled in school less than half-time  

Complying with CalFresh work requirements satisfies the work requirements for Medi-Cal. If you are not receiving CalFresh food benefits, contact us to find out if you are eligible. 

You cannot self-report your hours for CalFresh. You must submit verification of your worked hours, including paid employment, volunteer, workfare, or self-employment. 

Connect with your benefit program for additional questions on reporting your hours. 

Yes, there are certain kinds of work-related activities at nonprofits and City agencies that require fewer hours.  Please ask your Benefits Program for details.  

You do not need to complete the 80 hours for Medi-Cal if you have at least $580 in countable income and at least one month has passed since your last renewal. If you have no income or your income is too low, you can combine hours from different approved activities to reach the 80-hour requirement. 

You do not need to complete the 80 hours for CalFresh if you earn at least $217.50 a week before taxes. 

We encourage everyone to apply now for the benefits they need by visiting our Medi-Cal and CalFresh (food stamps) webpages or calling (415) 557-5000. 

To keep your Medi-Cal or CalFresh: 

• Look for official SFHSA renewal notices and follow the instructions.  
• Sign up for text and email notices, keep your contact information updated, and open your mail promptly.  
• Complete required steps and submit any requested documents. 
• Manage your benefits online at BenefitsCal. You can use this portal to apply for benefits, upload documents, renew your case, update your information, download proof of benefits, and view your EBT balance.  

Medi‑Cal recipients currently renew their coverage once a year. Beginning in March 2027, most adults ages 19–64 years of age who do not have disabilities or children under 18 years will be required to renew twice a year instead of annually. 

Most CalFresh households submit the semi‑annual report pdf (SAR‑7) every six months to update income, household size, and expenses. They must also complete a full recertification at the end of their certification period, typically every 12 months. Learn more. 

Read more about upcoming public benefits changes and effective dates.