CalFresh

On April 1, 2026, changes to noncitizen/immigrant eligibility for CalFresh (also known as SNAP) began to take effect from the passing of H.R.1 Public Law 119–21 on July 4, 2025.

You are no longer eligible for CalFresh if you are a:

• Asylee
• Refugee
• Parolee (unless you are CHE)
• Individual with Deportation or Removal Withheld
• Conditional entrant
• Survivor of trafficking
• Battered noncitizen
• Iraqi or Afghan with a special immigrant refugee visa (SIV)
• Certain Afghan National granted parole between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023
• Certain Ukrainian National granted parole between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2024

If you applied for CalFresh before April 1, 2026, you can continue to receive benefits until your next recertification.

Download the flyer overview (English and Spanish) that goes over these changes. Have questions about your eligibility? Contact our CalFresh Outreach Team at CF@foodbankccs.org or 925-603-3316.

Here are some additional resources to help understand how these changes and how they might impact you from CDSS (California Department of Social Services).

Noncitizen Flyer from CDSS

• English
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Farsi/Dari
• Punjabi
• Russian
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese

CalFresh Noncitizen FAQ from CDSS

• English
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Farsi/Dari
• Punjabi
• Russian
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Ukrainian 
• Vietnamese

Starting June 1, 2026, changes to work and community engagement requirements for CalFresh/SNAP benefits take effect from the passing of H.R.1 Public Law 119–21 on July 4, 2025. 

Some people who get CalFresh may need to work or participate in community engagement activities to keep getting benefits. This typically applies to adults ages 18 to 64 who do not have a disability and do not have young children at home.

People in this group are called ABAWDs (Able‑Bodied Adults Without Dependents). People with ABAWD status can only get CalFresh for three months in a three‑year period if they do not meet the rule of working or doing approved activities for 20 hours each week or 80 hours each month. Some people may be excused from these rules.

In California, most counties will begin applying the new CalFresh work and community engagement requirements starting June 1, 2026.

If you applied for CalFresh before June 1, 2026, you will not have to meet the rules until your recertification.

If you apply for CalFresh after June 1, 2026, your county will tell you if you are excused from the requirements, already meet the requirements, or if you will be limited to three months of benefits when you apply.

Download the flyer overview (English and Spanish) that goes over these changes.

Have questions about your eligibility? Contact our CalFresh Outreach Team at CF@foodbankccs.org or 925-603-3316.

What is an ABAWD?

Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents is a federal term for SNAP recipients aged 18 to 64 who do not have a young child at home or who meet other exemptions.

*Note: New CalFresh applicants will be screened for ABAWD rules beginning June 1. Existing CalFresh recipients will be screened for ABAWD rules during their next recertification.

H.R. 1 subjects more people to time limits. (Source: California Association of Food Banks)

You may be exempt from time-limit rules if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Under the age of 18 or over 64.
• Parent or caregiver for a dependent child under the age of 14.
• Recipient or applicant for unemployment or disability benefits.
• Unable to work at least 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours or more per month due to a physical or mental health issue. California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh Medical Certification Form.
• Caregiver for a sick, injured, or disabled person.
• Pregnant.
• Attending school at least half-time.
• Unable to work due to drug or alcohol addiction, a victim of domestic violence, or experiencing chronic homelessness due to a physical or mental health issue. California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh Medical Certification Form.
• Identify as an Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).
• Participant in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) training program for at least half-time.
• Resident where the ABAWD work requirement is waived.

California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh ABAWD time limit exemption screening form.

Some counties don’t have the new requirements

The federal government may grant counties waivers that give them temporary permission not to use these work and community engagement requirements. If you live in one of these counties, you can keep getting CalFresh without meeting work and community engagement requirements between November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026:

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

If you are not excused from the new requirements, you will need to work or participate in a community engagement activity for a total of 20 hours per week, or an average of 80 hours per month, to keep your CalFresh benefits.

Work and community engagement activities include, but are not limited to, the following. You can do any of these types of activities alone or combined:

• Working (including self-employment) or earning $217.50 per week before taxes.
• Volunteering, performing community service, or in-kind work of 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.
• Attend school, college, or training.
• Participating in a workfare, employment, or job training program.
• Combination of qualifying activities.

California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh volunteer work hours verification form.

Here are some additional resources to help understand how these changes and how they might impact you from CDSS (California Department of Social Services):

California Department of Social Services’ website

California Department of Social Services FAQ

California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh volunteer work hours verification form.

California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh medical certification form.

California Department of Social Service’s CalFresh ABAWD time limit exemption screening form.