NewsTimes of San DiegoOctober 25, 2026San Diego County
Federal work requirements and limits on CalFresh could remove up to 47,000 people from food benefits
Photo: Times of San Diego
Federally-imposed work requirements and eligibility limits for CalFresh are taking effect, placing roughly 47,000 residents at risk of losing food benefits starting this month. The changes stem from the federal 2025-26 budget and are expected to save taxpayers $66.2 million under California’s 2026-27 budget. Affected individuals include able-bodied adults between 18 and 65 without minor children who must now meet 20 hours per week of work, schooling, or community service.
Food AssistanceBudget & AppropriationsWelfare and Work RequirementsFederal FundingPoverty and Social Services
Read the full story at Times of San Diego Why It Matters
The changes reduce federal and state spending on food assistance by $66.2 million while altering food benefit access for tens of thousands of low-income adults across California.
Key Facts
- Roughly 47,000 people stand to lose access to CalFresh starting this month due to new federal work requirements.
- The federal SNAP limitations and work requirements will save taxpayers $66.2 million under California's 2026-27 budget.
- The rules stem from the federal 2025-26 budget passed in July 2025, known as H.R. 1 or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- Roughly 562,000 people are set to lose access to CalFresh in the next year due to the new requirements, according to Assemblymember Alex Lee's office.
- Federal funding for SNAP was cut by roughly $211 billion.
- Able-bodied adults between 18 and 65 without minor children at home must work, be in school, or do community service for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours averaged monthly).
- Other federal SNAP changes include making certain immigrants ineligible for food benefits and placing limits on state utility subsidies.
- California's 2026-27 budget allocates $3.2 billion for CalFresh and other non-cut nutrition programs, with $1.6 billion coming from the state's general fund.
- Approximately 3.4 million California households are expected to still receive CalFresh benefits during the 2026-27 fiscal year.
- California lawmakers faced a $16.9 billion structural deficit while crafting the budget.
Who's Mentioned
PersonDavid Tangipa“Assemblymember, R-Fresno”OrganizationAssembly Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition“Legislative committee”OrganizationU.S. Department of Agriculture“Federal agricultural department”PersonAlex Lee“Assemblymember, D-Milpitas”OrganizationCalFresh“California's implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program”PersonMark Gonzalez“Assemblymember, D-Los Angeles”PersonLaShae Sharp-Collins“Assemblymember, D-San Diego”OrganizationLegislative Analyst’s Office“State fiscal advisory body”OrganizationSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program“Federal food assistance program”OrganizationThe Center Square“Publisher of the news article”locationCalifornia“State implementing budget and work requirements”PersonGavin Newsom“Governor of California”OrganizationCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture“State agricultural department”