Overview
- California will enforce new federal-guided work requirements that generally ask most adults to complete 80 hours per month of work, job training, school or community service to keep CalFresh benefits.
- The rules apply mainly to able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 who do not live with a child under 14 and may lead to benefit time limits for those who fail to meet or document required hours.
- Exemptions are available for people who are pregnant, have a physical or mental health condition, are in substance-use treatment, are caring for a dependent with a disability, are enrolled at least half time in school, are receiving disability or unemployment benefits, or belong to a federally recognized tribe.
- San Mateo County has started special Saturday outreach sessions at 1500 Fashion Island Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on announced Saturdays to help residents apply, report hours, and understand exemptions.
- Advocates and food-bank leaders warn the change follows recent federal rule shifts that have already cut national SNAP participation and that charitable providers lack capacity to replace federal benefits if large numbers of people lose CalFresh.