In response to new federal work requirements in CalFresh and Medi-Cal, LA County is setting up a program to help affected individuals connect to unpaid volunteer hours at designated Workfare/Community Service Worksites.
Community Partners is serving as a Workfare/Community Service Resource Hub helping non-profits, faith-based organizations and government agencies to become a partner site with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).
If you are new to Workfare/Community Service, we hope you will learn more below and become a Workfare/Community Service Worksite. For current Partner Sites, stay connected here to learn about updates and resources.
Together we can support Angelenos to stay enrolled in CalFresh and Medi-Cal!
Upcoming Info Sessions (Registration required)
Join us for a short presentation and an open Q&A. CalFresh and Medi-Cal programs are undergoing major changes in 2026, with many Angelenos at risk of losing their benefits. We invite you to join us in an upcoming informational session to learn more about how your organization can support Angelenos to stay enrolled.
We will cover:
- HR1 Impacts on CalFresh and Medi-Cal
- LA County’s Workfare and Community Service Ecosystem
- Shareable Resources
Because new federal requirements for CalFresh will begin on June 1, we will be hosting weekly information sessions throughout the summer. We hope you will consider taking the time to join one of our upcoming conversations. You can also learn more by visiting our Workfare Resource Hub website.
Register here for any upcoming sessions
- Jul 7, 2026 02:00 PM
- Jul 15, 2026 10:00 AM
- Jul 21, 2026 02:00 PM
- Jul 29, 2026 10:00 AM
In 2025, the federal government expanded the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rule under SNAP and Medicaid through HR1. Work requirement rules take effect in California in CalFresh starting June 1, 2026 and apply to anyone ages 18-64. For Medi-Cal, the Work and Community Engagement requirement will take effect on January 1, 2027 and will apply to adults ages 19-64 enrolled under the Affordable Care Act Expansion group.
Under CalFresh, there are that individuals may qualify for to be excused from these requirements (for additional details see resources below). Without an exemption, individuals are required to work or participate in 80 hours per month (e.g., 20 hours per week) of unpaid community service activities. Additional guidance on Medi-Cal is pending.
Under CalFresh, individuals can also fulfill work requirement hours through Workfare, an activity that provides individuals unpaid work experience at a designated Workfare Worksite. Worksites will offer unpaid volunteer hours that can be counted.
Workfare hours are assigned using the CalFresh households allotment, divided by the county’s minimum wage. For example, for a household of one receiving a monthly CalFresh allotment of $298, the monthly participation hours would be calculated by dividing the benefit amount by the Los Angeles County minimum wage, resulting in approximately 16 hours.
This activity is only used for individuals who want to meet their CalFresh Work Requirements, as this is not a qualifying activity for Medi-Cal recipients at this time.
Nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and public agencies are eligible to partner with Los Angeles County as a Workfare Worksite.
Workfare worksites commit to hosting individuals to complete unpaid work activities in a safe and equitable environment and provide supporting documentation of work hours completion.
Join an information session to get started. Once you have attended an info session, you can schedule a 1:1 to begin the process of entering into an MOU with LA County DPSS.
For CalFresh, any organization is eligible. For Medi-Cal, guidelines for who can be a Community Service Worksite is still pending.
Partner worksites commit to hosting individuals to complete unpaid work activities in a safe and equitable environment and provide supporting documentation of work hours completion.
Join an information session to get started. Once you have attended an info session, you can schedule a 1:1 to begin the process of entering into an MOU with LA County DPSS.
Community Partners is working with public and private partners to identify resources to support workfare/community service implementation. Check back for updates.
LA County Department of Public Social Services – Keep Your Benefits
CA Department of Social Services – Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Work Requirements, CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Rules: Pre-Screening Tool Survey
L.A. Care Health Plan – Become a Coverage Champion | L.A. Care Health Plan
Western Center on Law and Poverty – Know Your Rights Flyer: https://wclp.org/resources/calfresh-time-limits-know-your-rights-flyer/, Exemptions Chart: CalFresh Time Limit Verification of Exemptions & Work Activities (May 2026) – Western Center on Law & Poverty
BAILA Network – BAILA Network
Please contact us to suggest additional resources!