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San Diego County Offers Tips After CalFresh Benefit Changes
Eligibility updates will impact thousands of non-citizen recipients starting April 1.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:49am
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Changes to CalFresh eligibility affecting certain non-citizens will take effect on April 1 in San Diego County, potentially impacting thousands of recipients. The county Health and Human Services Agency is urging affected recipients to submit renewal paperwork on time, keep their contact information updated, and respond promptly to any requests for documentation to ensure their eligibility can be reviewed.
Why it matters
These federal policy updates to the CalFresh program, which provides food assistance benefits, will make some non-citizens ineligible, including certain asylees, refugees, parolees, and victims of trafficking. This could significantly impact food security for thousands of low-income households in San Diego County.
The details
The changes stem from federal policy updates outlined in H.R. 1 and will make some non-citizens ineligible for food assistance benefits. Those affected include certain asylees, refugees, parolees, individuals with deportation or removal withheld, conditional entrants and victims of trafficking. Noncitizens already enrolled, including asylees and refugees, will have their eligibility reviewed at their next renewal.
- The changes will take effect on April 1, 2026.
- Additional changes tied to the federal law are expected to take effect on June 1, 2026, including expanded work requirements for certain adults without dependents and reduced exemptions for some groups.
The players
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency
The county agency that manages the CalFresh program and is providing guidance to recipients affected by the eligibility changes.
What’s next
County officials are urging CalFresh recipients to submit renewal paperwork on time, keep their contact information updated, and respond promptly to any requests for documentation to ensure their eligibility can be reviewed.
The takeaway
These changes to the CalFresh program could have a significant impact on food security for thousands of low-income non-citizen households in San Diego County. The county is providing resources and guidance to help affected recipients navigate the eligibility updates and maintain their benefits.
