CalFresh Recipients Face New Work Rules Due to Federal SNAP Changes

Millions of Californians participating in the CalFresh program may face new work and community engagement requirements starting in June. These changes are part of a federal overhaul of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Impact of Federal Legislation

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed last summer, brought stricter eligibility standards and expanded work rules for many SNAP recipients nationwide. Work requirements were extended to adults up to age 64. Rules were tightened for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Exemptions were removed for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, former foster youth, and some immigrants. Nationwide, SNAP participation fell by about 4.2 million within a year. California could see similar declines.

Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows a drop in SNAP participants from 42.8 million in January 2025 to fewer than 38.6 million by January 2026. This drop aligns with new work requirements.

CalFresh Changes in California

Starting June 1, California will enforce updated federal work and community engagement rules for CalFresh recipients. These guidelines will affect adults who must meet work-related conditions to continue receiving benefits. The requirements primarily target:

• Recipients aged 18 to 64
• Those without a disability
• Individuals without a dependent child under 14

Possible conditions to maintain eligibility include working, volunteering, attending school, or participating in job training programs. The policy expansion affects categories previously exempt, including:

• Adults aged 55 to 64
• Parents with children aged 14 or older
• Veterans
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• People in foster care or former foster youth

Exemptions are available under specific conditions. Criteria for exemptions include pregnancy, inability to work due to health issues, caring for a child under 14, receiving disability benefits, participating in certain refugee programs, and more.

Understanding ABAWD Rules

Under federal law, ABAWD recipients can receive only three full months of benefits within a three-year period unless they meet work participation standards or qualify for an exemption. To maintain eligibility beyond this limit, recipients must:

• Work an average of 20 hours a week
• Earn at least $217.50 weekly before taxes
• Volunteer or join qualifying education/job training programs

Educational or training program participants must attend either half-time or complete 20 hours of class time weekly. Failure to meet these requirements could result in losing benefits after three months within the three-year timeframe.

County-Specific Exemptions

Some California counties are exempt from new ABAWD rules until October 31. Exempt counties include:

• Alpine
• Colusa
• Imperial
• Merced
• Monterey
• Plumas
• Tulare

Residents of these counties may continue receiving CalFresh benefits without needing to adhere to the standard three-month ABAWD limits.

SNAP Enrollment Trends

In early 2025, enrollment numbers gradually declined, staying above 42 million recipients until July. Following the passage of the OBBBA, participation dropped sharply. Between August 2025 and January 2026, enrollment fell by roughly 3.4 million. The most significant drop occurred from October to November 2025, where recipients decreased by over 1 million.

Governor Newsom’s Response

Though California Governor Gavin Newsom hasn’t specifically mentioned CalFresh changes, he criticized the broader federal legislation. In June of last year, he commented, “The so-called ‘Big, Beautiful bill’ is neither cost-saving nor smart; it is cruel, costly, and infringes on states’ rights,” shortly before the OBBBA became law. Newsom argued that government expansion contradicts Republican values of minimal government interference.