Due to federal law changes to SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, CalFresh food benefits have new work and volunteer requirements, effective June 1, 2026. The law changes also impacted which non-citizens can qualify for benefits.
If these changes have impacted your ability to receive or maintain CalFresh benefits, ICLS might be able to help. Our public benefits team can assist eligible residents with applications and appeals, to ensure those who qualify are able to receive assistance.
According to the California Department of Social Services, the new work requirements apply if you:
- Are between the ages of 18 and 64;
- Do not have a disability; and
- Are not the parent or guardian of child under 14 years old.
One of the largest changes is to the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rules.
If the ABAWD work requirement applies to you, you will need to have a job, volunteer, or be enrolled in school or a job training program. If you’re working, you must work an average of 20 hours each week or earn at least $217.50 per week before taxes. If you’re in school or a training program, you must have total class time of 20 hours each week or be enrolled at least half-time, in addition to meeting other CalFresh requirements.
If you do not meet this requirement, you will only be able to get CalFresh benefits for three months over a three-year period. The county can help connect ABAWDs with local work opportunities in the area to meet the ABAWD work requirement.
Additionally, some CalFresh recipients who were previously excused from these rules will now also have to meet work requirements to continue to get CalFresh benefits unless they can be excused for a different reason.
This new group includes CalFresh recipients who are:
- Aged 55-64 years old;
- Parents whose youngest child is 14 or older;
- Experiencing homelessness;
- Veterans,
- Currently or were in foster care on their 18th birthday.
You may be excused from the ABAWD work requirement if you are:
- Under age 18 or over age 64
- A parent or responsible for a dependent child under the age of 14
- You are excused from the general CalFresh work requirements
- Unable to work at least 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours or more per month because of a physical or mental health issue.
- Unable to work because you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction or a victim of domestic violence or experiencing chronic homelessness. The condition must be tied to a physical or mental health issue.
- You are applying for or receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI)
- Pregnant (any stage of pregnancy).
- Identify as an Indian, Urban Indian or California Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).
- Participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program for at least half-time.
- Living in an area where the ABAWD work requirement is waived.
Changes to Non-Citizen Eligibility
The changes also impact immigrant groups who were previously eligible for benefits, though some non-citizens may be able to still access state-funded CalFresh benefits. Those that no longer qualify for SNAP support include:
- Asylees and refugees
- Some parolees
- Individuals with deportation or removal withheld
- Victims of trafficking
If you are unsure if you will qualify for CalFresh with the new requirements, you can take this screening tool from the California Department of Social Services: CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Rules: Pre-Screening Tool Survey