Starting April 1, sweeping changes to CalFresh and Medi-Cal eligibility will begin to take effect across San Diego County, affecting potentially hundreds of thousands of residents who rely on public assistance programs. The changes, driven by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) signed into law last July, represent one of the most significant shifts in public benefits administration in years.

Under the new rules, certain lawfully present noncitizens — including many asylees, refugees, and parolees — will no longer qualify for CalFresh food assistance. The County currently supports nearly 400,000 residents through CalFresh and more than 800,000 through Medi-Cal. Those currently receiving benefits will keep them until their next scheduled recertification, but new applicants will be subject to the stricter rules immediately.

The changes roll out in phases. On June 1, expanded work mandates take effect for "Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents" — a category now expanded to include adults up to age 64. Recipients will need to document at least 80 hours of work, training, or volunteering per month to remain eligible. Caregivers for children under 14 and those with documented health challenges may qualify for exemptions.

Looking further ahead, Medi-Cal recipients will face similar community engagement requirements starting January 1, 2027, along with a shift from annual to six-month renewal periods for some adults.

San Diego County has launched an outreach campaign to prepare residents. Beginning this week, CalFresh customers will receive text alerts about their individual cases. Officials are urging all benefit recipients to log into the BenefitsCal portal at benefitscal.com to confirm their contact information is current — an up-to-date phone number and mailing address is the only way to ensure receipt of the mandatory Notice of Action letters required to avoid a coverage lapse. Residents with questions can call the Access Customer Service Center at (866) 262-9881 or visit sandiegocounty.gov.