CalFresh Food Program Will Require New Rules in California: What You Need to Know

Posted on 05/25/26 at 16:48

Thousands of residents in California could lose access to food assistance starting June 1 due to new federal requirements tied to the CalFresh program, known nationally as SNAP.

Food banks and community organizations have already begun preparing for a possible increase in demand for basic assistance.

• Why it matters: The change comes at a time when many families are still facing high costs for housing, food, and essential services. The new rules will mainly affect adults without dependent children at home and could leave hundreds of thousands of people in the state out of the program.

New CalFresh Requirements Will Begin on June 1

The changes were approved as part of the 2025-26 federal budget through HR 1, also called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to The Center Square.

According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation cuts approximately $211 billion in federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade.

As part of the new rules, CalFresh beneficiaries between the ages of 18 and 65 who do not have children in the household will have to meet mandatory activity requirements to keep their food assistance.

Affected individuals will have to:

• Work at least 20 hours per week.
• Study or participate in educational programs.
• Perform community service.
• Complete an average of 80 hours of activity per month.

Those who do not meet these requirements could lose their food benefits.

Some Beneficiary Groups Will Be Exempt From the Requirements

Not all beneficiaries will be required to meet the new federal conditions.

The exemptions are:

• People over 65.
• Children and minors.
• Pregnant women.
• Veterans.
• People with disabilities.
• Caregivers of people with disabilities.
• Parents or guardians of children under 14.
• Participants in drug or alcohol treatment programs.

Even so, community organizations believe that thousands of vulnerable residents could become trapped in bureaucratic processes that are difficult to complete.

Democratic Assemblymember Alex Lee said during a virtual conference that the new rules could worsen the economic situation of many Californians.

According to Lee, approximately 665,000 people could lose access to CalFresh as a result of the new work requirements.

Food Banks Fear Higher Demand in California

With the possibility that more people will lose benefits, food banks in different regions of the state have already begun mobilizing additional resources.

Representatives of community organizations say that, historically, work requirements have not been shown to improve employment among beneficiaries.

Jared Call, policy director at the California Association of Food Banks, said the restrictions ultimately only reduce access to essential food assistance.

The main concern is that more families will begin depending on food banks at a time when many organizations are already operating under heavy financial pressure.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new restrictions could reduce the national number of SNAP beneficiaries by approximately 2.4 million people per month between 2025 and 2034.

SNAP Rules in California Also Change for Some Immigrants

The federal changes come alongside additional restrictions for certain migrant groups.

Since April 1, some permanent residents who are not U.S. citizens have already begun losing eligibility to receive CalFresh.

According to the California Department of Social Services, other affected groups include:

• Humanitarian refugees.
• People with immigration parole.
• Victims of human trafficking.

Democratic lawmakers also expressed concern for young people in foster care between the ages of 18 and 21, who were previously exempt from federal work requirements.

However, some Republicans support the new rules. Assemblymember David Tangipa previously said the work requirements are not excessive and can be part of a responsible transition into adulthood.

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State of California Will Face New Costs

In addition to the social impact, state officials warn that California will have to take on higher administrative and financial costs under the new federal provisions.

Alex Lee said the state and counties will have to cover additional costs related to operating the program.

Meanwhile, food assistance organizations continue monitoring the impact the new CalFresh requirements could have once they officially take effect in June.