Overview
- New CalFresh requirements that require most adults to document about 20 hours of work per week take effect June 1 and will subject a much larger group to work rules and time limits.
- Feeding San Diego estimates more than 90,000 county residents could lose benefits right away, and advocates say social services projections put statewide losses at roughly 500,000 over the next year.
- County social services will have to verify work hours and exemptions for many more cases, creating added paperwork, staffing strain, backlogs, and higher administrative costs.
- Local safety-net groups have increased pantry hours and 2-1-1 support and the Senate Budget Committee has pledged $108 million, but advocates say short-term aid may not meet the surge in need.
- The changes stem from H.R. One, which narrowed exemptions and removed some waivers, and advocates argue the rules will cut enrollment mainly through new documentation hurdles rather than by boosting employment.