45 CFR § 261.10 - What work requirements must an individual meet?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t45/s261.10"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "45 CFR § 261.10 - What work requirements must an individual meet?"
title_number: 45
title_name: "Public Welfare"
section_number: "261.10"
section_name: "What work requirements must an individual meet?"
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE (ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS), ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
part_number: "261"
part_name: "ENSURING THAT RECIPIENTS WORK"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 601, 602, 607, and 609; Pub. L. 109-171."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 17884, Apr. 12, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "261"
---


# 261.10 What work requirements must an individual meet?

(a)(1) A parent or caretaker receiving assistance must engage in work activities when the State has determined that the individual is ready to engage in work or when he or she has received assistance for a total of 24 months, whichever is earlier, consistent with section 407(e)(2) of the Act.

(2) The State must define what it means to engage in work for this requirement; its definition may include participation in work activities in accordance with section 407 of the Act.

(b) If a parent or caretaker has received assistance for two months, he or she must participate in community service employment, consistent with section 407(e)(2) of the Act, unless the State has exempted the individual from work requirements or he or she is already engaged in work activities as described at § 261.30. The State will determine the minimum hours per week and the tasks the individual must perform as part of the community service employment.