New CalFresh Rules From April 1 To Limit Immigrant Eligibility, More Changes Coming in June

California’s largest food assistance program is set to see major changes, with several residents likely to be impacted. 

CalFresh rolled out new eligibility guidelines effective April 1, 2026, narrowing who can access benefits and removing eligibility for several groups of residents who previously qualified under humanitarian protections.

According to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the new federal law H.R. 1, which is also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, updates the food assistance program’s immigrant eligibility. 

Essentially a budget bill, H.R. 1 dictates a spending plan for the federal government, including the spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is known as CalFresh in California. 

Effective April 1, 2026, the changes will eliminate “most lawfully present immigrants,” according to CDSS. 

Changes in Immigrant Eligibility

The following categories of residents will no longer be eligible for CalFresh from April 1, 2026: 

• Asylees
• Refugees
• Parolees (unless they are Cuban and Haitian entrants)
• Individuals with deportation or removal withheld
• Conditional entrants
• Victims of trafficking
• Battered noncitizens
• Iraqi or Afghan with Special Immigrant Visas who are not Lawful Permanent Residents
• Some Afghan nationals granted parole from July 31, 2021, to September 30, 2023
• Some Ukrainian nationals granted parole from February 24, 2022, to September 30, 2024

More Changes Coming in June

In addition to the sweeping changes in immigrants’ eligibility, CalFresh will implement new work requirements and time limits for some recipients. 

Effective June 1, 2026, CalFresh will change the time limit for residents aged between 18 and 65 who do not have young children in their home. 

People in this category will be required to either qualify for an exemption or meet certain work or community engagement requirements to stay eligible for CalFresh for more than three months in a 36-month period, according to the CDSS. 

Citing the Congressional Budget Office, KTLA5 reported that the new requirements are projected to lower the average monthly number of SNAP beneficiaries by nearly 2.4 million in the next 10 years. 

People subject to the new set of rules are called Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDS). 

People who have to meet the new work mandates are required to participate in a qualifying activity for a minimum of 20 hours per week or 80 hours averaged monthly. The activities include: 

• Paid employment
• Volunteer work or community service
• Job training or work programs
• Education
• Workfare
• A combination of any of the above

Residents who are excused from the rules include people who are: 

• Under 18 years of age or over age 64 (reduced from over age 54).
• A parent or person responsible for a dependent child under the age of 14 (reduced from under 18).
• (New in H.R. 1) Identify as an Indian, urban Indian, or California Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
• 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 condition.
• Caring for a sick, injured, or disabled person who needing help for over 30 days.
• Obtaining or applying for disability benefits, including but not limited to: veteran’s disability benefits, worker’s compensation, Supplemental Security Income, and state-issued temporary or permanent disability benefits.
• Unable to work because you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, a victim of domestic violence or experiencing chronic homelessness. The condition must be due to a physical or mental health issue. 
• Pregnant.
• Participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement training program for at least of half-time.
• Going to school at least half-time (student eligibility rules may be applicable). 
• Residing in an area where the ABAWDS work requirement is waived.