New CalFresh work requirements confusing me - can't work due to undiagnosed neuropathy pain

You actually might qualify for a medical exemption even without a specific diagnosis. The CalFresh work requirement exemption doesn't necessarily need a named condition - just documentation that you're physically unable to work. Ask your doctor to complete the CW 61 form (Medical Report for Work Exemption) focusing on your functional limitations rather than a specific diagnosis. Have them document what you CANNOT do (stand for periods, walk distances, lift items) rather than naming your condition. Also, there are other exemptions that might apply to you. Are you receiving any state disability payments, even temporary ones? That would exempt you. Or if you're the primary caretaker for an incapacitated person or a child under 6, those are exemptions too.

omg the same thing happend to me last year!!! my doc kept saying we need more tests but wouldnt write the exemption letter. i finaly had to switch doctors completely and the new one gave me the paperwork right away. sometimes u just need a different doctor who gets it!!

The new ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) work requirements are causing a lot of confusion. You're right to be concerned, but there are multiple pathways to exemption. First, let me clarify something important: You don't necessarily need a specific diagnosis like "neuropathy" to qualify for a medical exemption. What matters is that a medical provider certifies you're physically unable to work. The form they need to complete (CW 61) focuses on functional capacity rather than diagnosis names. Second, while waiting for your disability application to process, request a temporary medical exemption. These can be approved for 30-90 days and renewed while you're sorting out longer-term documentation. Third, consider requesting a reasonable accommodation from your county office under ADA. Explain your situation and ask what alternative documentation they can accept. Finally, if you're getting any medical treatment whatsoever, that can sometimes qualify as a "work activity" under certain circumstances. Ask your worker if your physical therapy or medical appointments can count toward the work requirement hours.

This is EXACTLY what's wrong with the system!! They make these rules without thinking about people with real problems. I've been through the same thing - couldn't work, doctors wouldn't commit to a diagnosis, CalFresh threatened to cut me off. It's cruel. They act like everyone who's not working is just lazy when some of us are literally in pain every day!!! The whole "able-bodied" requirement is ableist garbage.

hey there, i had a really similar problem last year trying to reach someone at the county to discuss my medical exemption. i kept getting stuck in automated phone systems and could never reach an actual human who could tell me what specific documentation i needed. after getting disconnected like 8 times, someone told me about this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the CalFresh office in less than 30 minutes. they basically call for you and navigate the phone tree, then connect you when they get a real person. saved me hours of frustration. you can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or just go to claimyr.com - seriously made dealing with my medical exemption so much easier because i could actually talk to someone who explained exactly what my doctor needed to write.

I know exactly what ur going through! I have fibromyalgia which took 5 YEARS to diagnose and doctors kept saying the same thing to me. What finally worked was asking my doc to write a letter about my "functional limitations" instead of a diagnosis. Like it said I couldn't stand for more than 20 min, couldn't lift more than 5 lbs, needed frequent breaks, etc. The county accepted that even though it didn't have a specific condition name on it. Also if your trying to get on disability maybe talk to legal aid? They can sometimes help with both the disability application AND getting the right medical exemption paperwork for CalFresh.

Are you working with a specialist or just a primary care doctor? In my experience, neurologists are much more willing to document these kinds of symptoms even without a definitive diagnosis. Primary care doctors often hesitate because they don't specialize in those conditions. If you haven't seen a neurologist yet, try to get a referral. They can run nerve conduction studies and other specific tests that might give more concrete evidence of your condition, which would help with both CalFresh exemptions and your disability claim.

One other suggestion: If your current doctor won't complete the exemption paperwork, you can also ask if there's another provider in the same practice who might be willing to help. Sometimes physician assistants or nurse practitioners are more understanding about these documentation needs than doctors. Also, keep a detailed pain/activity journal for a few weeks documenting exactly how your condition limits you daily. Bring this to your next appointment as evidence. Having specific examples like "On Monday, I tried to walk to the mailbox (0.1 miles) and had to stop 3 times due to pain" is more compelling than general statements about pain.

wait wait I just thought of something else! If u have ANY kind of home health aide or even if family helps you with daily activities, that can sometimes count as proof too. My mom was helping me with grocery shopping and driving to appointments and we included that in my paperwork. CalFresh accepted that as evidence I couldn't work cuz I needed help with basic stuff. worth mentioning if thats ur situation too