Policy changes make it harder to get food assistance; CA protects college students

Written by: Joe Shumate, MA, Director of Development & Marketing

Starting on June 1, 2026, low-income Californians experiencing hunger may find it more difficult to access food assistance.
 
CalFresh, known nationally as SNAP, is the federal food assistance program that provides monthly benefits for low-income individuals and families to purchase food at participating grocery stores. It is our largest, most efficient tool to fight hunger in our communities, accounting for over 

50% of all food assistance in San Diego County. The vast majority of CalFresh recipients are employed, working at least one, if not multiple, low-wage jobs to make ends meet. In a county with such a high cost of living, the program is a literal lifeline.
 
Recent changes to federal policy make it mandatory for all CalFresh/SNAP recipients who are considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) between the ages of 18 and 64* to work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to receive continuous food benefits. If they do not, their benefits will be capped at a total of three months within a 36-month period. That’s the equivalent of only one month of food assistance per year over three years.
 
Experts are concerned that this rule change will result in over 665,000 Californians losing CalFresh benefits. For reference, 1 in 4 San Diegans report experiencing food insecurity and 43% of community college students report not having enough to eat. Critics refer to work requirements as red tape traps that disproportionately affect people who may have irregular or limited work hours, or lack access to work opportunities such as gig workers, parents, post-secondary students, and those experiencing homelessness. With the majority of CalFresh recipients already employed, work requirements have little effect on increasing employment rates.

What California is Doing

​There is good news for many of our students! Through a special federal waiver known as Local Programs that Increase Employability (LPIEs), the State of California has made every student in every associate's and bachelor’s degree program at every state college and university exempt from the CalFresh work requirements. This means that if you are enrolled part-time at a California Community College, California State University, or University of California in an undergraduate program, and you meet the financial requirements for eligibility, you may receive CalFresh benefits without worrying about meeting the work requirements!
 
California’s leadership has shown us how much they value higher education as a means for improving self-sufficiency and upward mobility. Keeping our students fed by eliminating a major hurdle for federal food assistance is a big first step in ending college hunger. 

Students

If you’re a student worried about getting enough to eat, please go to our website for additional information and resources at sdwesleyhouse.org/resources.

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Community Members

If you’re a community member who wants to help us keep students focused on their studies, learn more about how to donate or volunteer at sdwesleyhouse.org/support.

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