Overview
- The state, which put new rules into effect Wednesday, now limits CalFresh to citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, certain Cuban or Haitian entrants, and residents covered by COFA agreements.
- Many non‑citizen groups no longer qualify, including asylum seekers, refugees, people with humanitarian parole, those with suspended removal, conditional entrants, and trafficking survivors unless they later obtain a green card.
- Current recipients keep benefits until their next recertification, and a household can still qualify if at least one member meets the new status rules.
- Counties and community groups are steering those who lose aid to the California Food Assistance Program, local food banks, and school meal programs as near‑term options.
- Find Food Bank in Indio expects monthly distributions to climb from about 1.8 million to 2.3 million pounds as more families seek help.