Millions of Californians receiving food assistance through the state’s CalFresh program could soon face new work and community engagement rules as changes tied to a federal overhaul of SNAP benefits take effect in June.
The new requirements come as the number of Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits has fallen nationwide following last summer’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which introduced stricter eligibility standards and expanded work rules for many recipients.
The legislation expanded work requirements to adults up to age 64 and tightened rules for able-bodied adults without dependents, commonly known as ABAWDs. It also removed some exemptions that had previously applied to veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth, while placing additional restrictions on some lawfully present immigrants. Subsequently, SNAP participation dropped by about 4.2 million recipients in a year on the federal level, and California could likewise see a large decline.
These changes were required under legislation passed in July 2025, although states have taken differing amounts of time to roll them out. Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that SNAP participation dropped from 42.8 million people in January 2025 to fewer than 38.6 million by January 2026, largely due to the stricter work requirements.
SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, is the country’s largest food assistance program and helps low-income households pay for groceries. About 5.1 million people collect the benefit in the Golden State.
What’s Changing in California?
Beginning June 1, California is set to implement the updated federal work and community engagement rules for CalFresh recipients.
Under the new guidelines, some adults will need to meet work-related conditions in order to continue receiving benefits. The state says the rules generally apply to the following groups:
- Recipients between ages 18 and 64
- Those who do not have a disability
- Those who do not have a dependent child under age 14
Recipients who fall under the requirements may need to work, volunteer attend school or participate in a job training program to maintain eligibility.
The main change is that the updated policy broadens the categories of recipients who may now be required to meet work standards.
People who were previously exempt but may now need to comply include the following groups:
- Adults ages 55 to 64
- Parents whose youngest child is 14 or older
- Veterans
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- People in foster care or who were in foster care on their 18th birthday
However, exemptions remain available in some circumstances.
People may still qualify for exemptions if they are pregnant, unable to work because of physical or mental health conditions, caring for a child under 14, receiving disability-related benefits, participating in certain refugee training programs, or meeting other qualifying criteria.
California’s Department of Social Services, which administrates SNAP in the state, has said people dealing with addiction, domestic violence or chronic homelessness tied to a physical or mental health issue may still qualify for exemptions.
How the ABAWD Rules Work
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 remain eligible for benefits beyond that limit, recipients generally must do at least one of the following:
- Work an average of 20 hours per week
- Earn at least $217.50 weekly before taxes
- Volunteer or participate in qualifying education or job training programs
Those enrolled in school or training programs must either attend at least half time or complete 20 hours of class time each week. Those who fail to meet those requirements could lose access to benefits after three months during the three-year window.
Counties Exempt From ABAWD Rules
Some areas of California will not be required to follow the new ABAWD work rules through October 31.
The waiver currently applies to these counties:
- Alpine
- Colusa
- Imperial
- Merced
- Monterey
- Plumas
- Tulare
Residents in those counties may continue receiving CalFresh benefits beyond the standard three-month ABAWD limit even if they are not working.
SNAP Enrollment Falls Nationwide
For much of early 2025, participation numbers declined gradually, remaining above 42 million recipients through July. But enrollment began falling more rapidly after the OBBBA became law.
Between August 2025 and January 2026, participation fell by about 3.4 million people. The largest one-month decline came between October and November 2025, when the number of recipients dropped by more than 1 million after states were required to begin complying with the law’s new standards.
Newsom Criticizes Federal Overhaul
While California Governor Gavin Newsom has not specifically commented on the CalFresh changes coming in June, he criticized the broader federal legislation last year.
“The so-called ‘Big, Beautiful bill’ is not cost-saving. It is not smart. It is cruel, costly, and a significant encroachment on states’ rights—the opposite of what Republican leadership claims to stand for,” Newsom said last June, about a week before President Donald Trump signed the OBBBA into law.
“Big government is getting bigger under Trump and Speaker Johnson, as they attempt to dictate every move states make and micromanage Americans through even greater bureaucracy,” Newsome continued. “It’s dangerous, and anyone with common sense should oppose it.”
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