Stricter CalFresh rules begin June 1, putting benefits at risk for thousands

A new round of CalFresh eligibility changes takes effect June 1, bringing stricter work requirements that advocates say could affect more than 90,000 San Diego County residents.

The changes stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which advocates say includes the largest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP and called CalFresh in California.

“Congress passed and the president signed H.R. one or the One Big Beautiful Bill act, which included the largest cuts to the Snap or Cal Fresh, as we call it, California, the largest cuts to the program in its history,” said Jared Call, director of public policy and advocacy for the California Association of Food Banks.

Feeding San Diego said more than 90,000 San Diegans could lose CalFresh benefits beginning June 1. The organization said that figure comes in addition to April eligibility changes that affected more than 13,000 legal immigrants.

According to Call, the latest changes will subject a larger group of people to stricter work requirements and time limits.

“On June 1st, what we’re going to see is a much larger group of people be subject to really strict time limits and work hour requirements,” said Call.

“and now you have to prove that you’re working 20 hours per week or meet some type of exemption,” said Call.

Call said the new requirements will primarily affect some elderly people, veterans, unhoused people and parents of children older than 14. Those individuals will now have to demonstrate they are working or volunteering at least 20 hours per week or qualify for an exemption.

He said social services officials expect the changes could result in more than 500,000 people losing benefits over the next year.

“There is no research that shows that these types of time limits and work, or requirements actually improve employment outcomes. All they do is serve to tie people up in red tape and cut them off the program,” said Call.

Call also said the Senate Budget Committee committed $108 million in funding following community advocacy efforts. He encouraged residents to contact their local senators and push for solutions for people at risk of losing food assistance.

Feeding San Diego said it is working to identify the communities most affected by the changes and increase food access in those areas. The organization also expanded service hours at its Marketplace food pantry.

People in need of food assistance can call 2-1-1 for help.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.