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All County Letter No. 25-93 Page Nine New Applicants On June 1, 2026, counties will have the ability to review new applications in CalSAWS based on the updated policy under HR1. Beginning June 1, 2026, new applicants must complete an HR1 compliant exemption screening at initial certification. As previously stated, an HR1 compliant screening must be complete before the time limit can be imposed on an individual, including the application of a countable month. Individuals who are determined eligible before June 1, 2026 will not be subject to the ABAWD time limit until a HR1 compliant exemption screening is complete at their recertification. Counties are also reminded that a partial month of benefits does not count toward the 3 months in a 36-month limit. See ACL No. 19-93 for more information. Changes During the Certification Period According to 7 CFR 273.24(k)(1)(i), if during the certification period, an individual loses an existing exemption due to a change in circumstances, the county must not begin assigning countable months until the individual is re-screened to determine whether another exemption applies. Following the recertification during which an HR1 compliant exemption screening is complete, counties must apply current rules regarding mid- period reports for ABAWDs subject to the time limit, including a drop in work hours. The county must re-screen at the household’s next scheduled recertification. See ACL No. 21-101 and ACL No. 21-101E for more information on mid-period actions. If during the certification period, an individual subject to the time limit experiences a change in circumstances that results in newly qualifying for an exemption, the county must act promptly, but no later than 10 days beyond the date of receipt, to apply the exemption (assuming the information provided is not questionable). The county must not assign a countable month after a new exemption is established. If the information received during the certification period is questionable, the county must request verification and allow the household 10 days to provide it before determining whether the exemption can be applied. As a reminder, per ACL No. 19-93, individuals subject to the time limit are required to report mid-period if their household’s gross monthly income goes over their Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). They are also required to report if their work hours drop below 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month averaged monthly, unless the individual resides in a waived county. After June 1, 2026, if an individual subject to the time limit (who has completed HR1 compliant exemption screening) reports a drop in work hours, the county must assess of the individual qualifies for good cause or another exemption before applying a countable month in accordance with ACL No. 19-93. An additional exemption screening is not required during the certification period.