Thousands of San Diego County residents will lose access to CalFresh food assistance beginning April 1 under new federal eligibility restrictions that limit benefits to certain categories of non-citizens.

County officials estimate approximately 13,000 people will be affected by the changes, which stem from the federal legislation signed last year. The affected groups include asylees, refugees, parolees, and individuals with deportation or removals withheld.

"We've known since last July that these changes were coming," said Alberto Banuelos with the County of San Diego. County officials have urged recipients whose immigration status may have changed to update their information, noting that some individuals may still qualify.

In communities across San Diego County where EBT benefits are widely used, local businesses and food banks are already feeling the shift. One local market owner said approximately half of her customers use EBT, and she expects to lose clientele. At food distribution sites, one resident told NBC 7 that crowd sizes at her location had grown from roughly 200 people to around 500 in recent weeks.

The County has expanded support for local food banks in anticipation of higher need. Residents who lose benefits or need food assistance are encouraged to call 2-1-1, where the County has also improved in-person support services. County officials emphasized that increased 2-1-1 capacity has been added specifically to help people navigate the transition.