New CalFresh rules threaten benefits

California will begin enforcing new federal CalFresh work rules on June 1, 2026, and county officials in the Bay Area are warning that thousands of residents could lose food aid if they do not meet the new standards. The changes apply to some adults receiving CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and require work, school, training or community service in order to keep benefits. Santa Clara County officials say about 55,000 residents there could be affected. Food banks and local advocates say they are already operating under heavy demand as the deadline approaches. ### Which CalFresh recipients will have to meet the new rules on June 1? The California Department of Social Services said the new rules apply starting June 1, 2026, to certain CalFresh recipients ages 18 to 64 who do not have a disability and do not have a dependent child under age 14. The state says those recipients will have to meet work and community engagement requirements to get or keep benefits. (cdss.ca.gov) Santa Clara County’s Social Services Agency said the affected group includes able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs. The county said those recipients can receive only three months of benefits in a 36-month period unless they meet the work requirement or qualify for an exemption. ### What counts as meeting the requirement? (cdss.ca.gov) Santa Clara County said non-exempt recipients can satisfy the rule by working 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month, doing community service or volunteer work for the same number of hours, participating in a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program such as work2future or NOVA, taking part in workfare, or complying with a CalFresh Employment and Training program. ABC7 reported that most adults affected by the change will need to complete at least 80 hours a month to qualify for food assistance. (ssa.santaclaracounty.gov) The state’s CalFresh guidance also says some people are excused from the rules, including people who are disabled, certain caregivers, people receiving or applying for unemployment or disability benefits, and some students attending school at least half-time. ### How many people could be affected in Santa Clara County? Santa Clara County officials said in September that federal changes to SNAP could directly affect as many as 55,000 of the county’s 133,000 CalFresh recipients. (ssa.santaclaracounty.gov) The county said the changes would make it harder for a range of people, including working parents, veterans, unhoused residents and former foster youth, to access benefits. (cdss.ca.gov) ABC7 reported on May 21 that about 55,000 Santa Clara County residents could be affected by the June 1 changes. Statewide, the station said, more than 660,000 people may not meet the new requirements. ### What are local officials and food providers saying? Marie Bernard, executive director of Sunnyvale Community Services, told ABC7 that families in Silicon Valley are already under strain. “Silicon Valley, we all know, is one of the wealthiest regions in the world. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) But behind the prosperity is a dark reality,” she said. (abc7news.com) Idelle Villarreal, a program and policy manager for the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency, said in the county’s September notice that CalFresh helps vulnerable residents afford food for themselves and their families. Tracy Weatherby, chief impact officer for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, said the county and the food bank were “incredibly concerned” about the changes and said the food bank was already serving one in six people across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. (abc7news.com) Jared Call, director of public policy and advocacy for the California Association of Food Banks, told ABC7 there is no research showing that work requirements and time limits improve employment outcomes and said they instead cut off food aid. Assemblymember Alex Lee, who held a meeting Wednesday with Bay Area anti-hunger advocates, said California needed to provide more support as the federal changes take effect. (news.santaclaracounty.gov) ### Where can residents get help before the deadline? The California Department of Social Services said recipients can use its CalFresh work and community engagement pre-screening tool to check whether the new rules apply to them. Santa Clara County also directs residents to its Social Services Agency for CalFresh information and applications. San Mateo County’s Human Services Agency said it scheduled special Saturday outreach hours on May 16, May 23 and May 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1500 Fashion Island Blvd. in San Mateo to help residents apply for benefits, ask questions and prepare for the June 1 changes. (abc7news.com) The June 1 start date is the next milestone for recipients who may need to document work or another qualifying activity to keep benefits. (smcgov.org) (cdss.ca.gov)