CalFresh benefits

Thousands facing new eligibility rules for CalFresh and Medi-Cal starting in April

East County News Service
 
March 16, 2026 (San Diego County) -- Federal and state policy changes set to roll out over the next year will potentially alter the landscape of public assistance for more than 1 million San Diego County residents.
 
Starting April 1, new eligibility requirements and work mandates will begin to take effect for recipients of CalFresh and Medi-Cal, marking one of the most significant shifts in social safety net administration in recent years.
 
The changes are largely driven by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1), signed into law last July, which introduced stricter oversight and work requirements for nationwide benefit programs. While local officials emphasize that the majority of recipients will still qualify for coverage, the scale of the impact is vast: the County currently supports nearly 400,000 residents through CalFresh and more than 800,000 through Medi-Cal.

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California commits $80M boost to food banks as hardship rises

 
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank's main warehouse. Photo courtesy San Diego Food Bank
 
East County News Service
 
Oct. 30, 2025 (Sacramento) --  In a vital response to increasing economic strain on families across the state, California has officially approved fast tracking an additional $80 million in extra funding for local food banks.
 
The $80 million in state funds will be distributed to food banks across California to strengthen food distribution and help offset the delays in federal assistance. This is part of a coordinated effort by the state, which also involves California Volunteers. 
 
This significant financial commitment aims to bolster the efforts of community organizations helping families facing food insecurity.

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APPLICATIONS FOR DISASTER CALFRESH HAVE BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2024

East County News Service
 
March 17, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- The program provides a one-time payment to buy food for those experiencing challenges from the January flood. Income limits apply.
 
All CalFresh recipients and new Disaster CalFresh recipients can use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to purchase hot and prepared food until Wednesday, April 17, 2024 due to the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Jan. 22 storms and flooding.

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CALFRESH RECIPIENTS IMPACTED BY FLOOD MAY RECEIVE REPLACEMENT BENEFITS

East County News Service

February 1, 2024 (San Diego) -- If you lost food during the storm due to flooding or a power outage, you can request a replacement of your CalFresh benefits until Feb. 21, 2024.


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CAL-FRESH BENEFIT INCREASE COMING IN OCTOBER

East County News Service

September 3, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The maximum amounts for which you can be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in California will increase starting October 1st, 202312. 


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COVID-19 EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS FOR CALFRESH RECIPIENTS

East County News Service

April 21, 2020 (San Diego) - In April, CalFresh recipients will receive an Emergency Allotment (EA) on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card. This benefit was authorized by House Resolution 6201 – The Families First Act signed into law on March 18, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. 


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CALFRESH ELIGIBILITY EXPANDS, INCLUDING COVERAGE FOR MANY SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES STARTING IN JUNE

 

 

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 12, 2019 (San Diego) - Starting in June 2019, the CalFresh program will allow many seniors and people with disabilities receiving SSI/SSP to participate and have access to nutritious food.

CalFresh is designed to reduce food insecurity and increase food budgets, improving participants’ access to fresh and healthy food.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.