CalFresh Time Limits + Work and Community Engagement Requirements Starting June 1, 2026

Tue May 26 2026

Beginning June 1, 2026, California will start to implement the work and community engagement requirement and time limit rules for CalFresh (also known as ABAWD). This will affect:​

• New CalFresh applications after June 1st 

• Recertifications that take place after June 1st

This means that adults who are applying for or receiving CalFresh will have to show that they are working 80 hours/month (or participating in another qualifying activity) ​
​

• If they can't show this --> can only get three months of CalFresh in a three-year period​

• Current clock: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028​

  
  But - MANY people are exempt from the work requirement and time limit rules!
  
  

  Learn more here:

• BAILA Two-Page Explainer (English + Spanish + more to come!)

• BAILA Training Sessions

• WCLP Know Your Rights Flyer

• WCLP Work Requirements Exemption Screening Tool

• Resources (CDSS)

Changes to CalFresh Eligibility

Wed Feb 25 2026

Noncitizen eligibility for federally funded CalFresh is changing on April 1, 2026.

See BAILA Network explainers in English and Spanish here.

Who is impacted?

• Asylees (granted)

• Refugees

• Trafficking survivors with ORR-certification

• And others (see chart)

What are the changes?
People in these groups will no longer be able to submit new applications for CalFresh as of April 1, 2026.

People who are already receiving CalFresh will lose eligibility at their next recertification after April 1, 2026 (unless they have adjusted to LPR status or have some other qualifying status).

Family members who are not subject to this change will not be impacted. Parents can continue to enroll their eligible children in CalFresh.

People who will be impacted by these changes who are not yet enrolled in CalFresh remain eligible to enroll until April 1, 2026. If benefits are granted, they would retain eligibility until the next recertification if they continue to meet all other requirements.

For more information, see charts linked here.

What is Happening with Public Charge?

Wed Jan 21 2026

On July 20, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new public charge rule. The new rule will not go into effect until September 18, 2026.

The new rule revokes the 2022 public charge rule. DHS says that it will issue guidance before September 18, 2026 to explain further how public charge determinations will be made. This guidance has not been published yet (as of July 27, 2026).

See more information for advocates here: Public Charge: What Advocates Need to Know - Protecting Immigrant Families

See information that can be shared with communities here: Public Charge: Does this Apply to Me? - Protecting Immigrant Families

Immigrants who are concerned about accessing the public benefits programs that they are eligible for should get individualized consultations from trusted organizations. MANY people who are eligible for benefits in California are NOT impacted by public charge.

What is Happening with Data Privacy for Medi-Cal and CalFresh Participants?

Wed Jan 21 2026

The federal government is seeking to access the personal information of Medicaid (Medi-Cal) and SNAP (CalFresh) participants. There are ongoing lawsuits challenging this practice.

See an explainer document here that gives an overview of the current state of play.

Current State of Medi-Cal Eligibility

Tue Aug 12 2025

The full-scope Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain noncitizens took effect January 1, 2026.

See this chart from the CA Dept. of Health Care Services (DHCS) for an explanation of who is subject to the freeze and who is not.

A reminder that Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs - or green card holders) remain eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of how long they have had their green card. Many other noncitizens remain eligible as well.

Some people who applied for full-scope Medi-Cal before the freeze took effect on January 1, 2026, were automatically switched into emergency Medi-Cal. These folks should be able to fix this error with their local welfare office. They can contact their local legal aid or another trusted organization for help. Folks in LA County, can contact BAILA through our hotline or website.