CalFresh Noncitizen Eligibility Changes April 1, 2026
What is changing? Recent federal law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump newly limits CalFresh to certain groups of lawfully present noncitizens. However, many individuals remain eligible for CalFresh, including household members with U.S. citizenship and some qualifying immigration statuses. Even though many lawfully present noncitizens are losing CalFresh eligibility, some are still eligible for CalFresh or the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP is California’s state-funded food benefit program for certain groups of qualified noncitizens.
When will my benefits stop if I’m no longer eligible after April 1, 2026? Your benefits will continue until your next recertification as long as you continue to meet all other non-immigration eligibility criteria. A county worker will determine if you are still eligible for benefits at that time.
How will I know if I am losing CalFresh eligibility? A county worker will review your eligibility at your next recertification. You will receive a notice if you are no longer eligible to receive CalFresh. For example, if your next annual recertification is due in September, 2026, that’s when your immigration status will be reviewed to determine if you are still eligible.
My household includes both citizens and noncitizens. Will my household be eligible for CalFresh? CalFresh eligibility is determined for each individual in your household. Some members of your household may still be eligible for CalFresh if:
- You are currently receiving CalFresh, a county worker will review your eligibility at your next recertification. A county worker will send you a notice showing which people in your household are still eligible.
- You applied for CalFresh, a county worker will review your application, make a determination, and will send you a notice showing you who is approved and who is denied.
Learn more details in this FAQ from the California Department of Social Services or call our Call Center at (877) 410-8817. Additional language versions of this FAQ, including Vietnamese, Russian, and Chinese can be found here.
If you need help getting food now:
- Contact your local food bank.
- Call your local 211 Resource Line
- Contact California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Family services: (415) 473-6889
For legal assistance, visit Immigration Services Legal Bureau’s Legal Services Assistance webpage: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration/legal-services
Cambios sobre la eligibilidad de CalFresh para personas sin ciudadania a partir el 1 de abril 2026
¿Qué está cambiando? Una ley federal reciente, aprobada por el Congreso y firmada por el presidente Trump, limita el acceso a CalFresh a ciertos grupos de no ciudadanos con residencia legal. Sin embargo, muchas personas siguen siendo elegibles para CalFresh, incluyendo miembros del hogar con ciudadanía estadounidense y algunos estatus migratorios que cumplen los requisitos. Algunos no ciudadanos con residencia legal podrían calificar para el Programa de California para la Asistencia Alimentaria (CFAP).
¿Cuando finalizaran mis beneficios si ya no soy elegible despues del 1 de abril de 2026? Sus beneficios continuarán hasta su próxima recertificación, siempre y cuando siga cumpliendo con todos los demas criterios de elegibilidad no relacionados con la inmigracion. Un trabajador del condado determinará si aún es elegible para recibir beneficios en ese momento.
¿Cómo sabre si estoy perdiendo la elegibilidad para CalFresh? Un trabajador del condado revisara su elegibilidad en su proxima recertificacion. Recibira una notificacion si ya no es elegible para recibir CalFresh. Por ejemplo, si su proxima recertificacion anualvence en septiembre de 2026, se revisara su estatus migratorio para determinar si aun es elegible.
En mi hogar hay ciudadanos y no ciudadanos. ¿Sera mi hogar elegible para CalFresh? La elegibilidad para CalFresh se determina para cada persona de su hogar. Algunos miembros de su hogar podrian seguir siendo elegibles para CalFresh si:
- Actualmente recibe CalFresh, un trabajador del condado revisara su elegibilidad en su proxima recertificacion. Se le enviara un aviso indicando que personas de su hogar aun son elegibles.
- Si solicito CalFresh, un trabajador del condado revisara su solicitud, tomara una decisión y le enviara un aviso indicando quienes fueron aprobados y quienes fueron rechazados.
Obtenga más detalles sobre las preguntas mas frecuentes del Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California o llame al (877) 410-8817.
¿Donde puedo obtener asistencia alimentaria si ya no soy elegible para CalFresh?
Si ya no es elegible para CalFresh, puede:
- Contactar con su banco de alimentos para asistencia alimentaria.
- Llamar a su linea de recursos 211 local.
- Contactar a los Servicios Familiares del Programa WIC (Mujeres, Bebés y Niños de California): (415) 473-6889
¿Donde puedo obtener más información de asistencia legal para inmigrantes? Para obtener informacion sobre asistencia legal o si tiene inquietudes sobre como ajustar su estatus, visite la pagina web de Asistencia Legal de la Oficina de Servicios de Inmigracion: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration/legal-services
Help Protect Your Benefits with the ebtEDGE app!
The ebtEDGE Mobile App is now available for download from the Apple App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android devices.
The current Cardholder Website (www.ebt.ca.gov) upgraded to the ebtEDGE Mobile Application and Web-enabled Cardholder Portal. This new portal gives California EBT Cardholders more control of their card(s) and introduces new security features. California EBT Cardholders are now able to download the ebtEDGE Mobile App from the Apple App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android devices.
The edbEdge app features enhanced security features such as:
1. Manage PIN: Ability to change EBT card PIN whenever and as often as needed.
2. Card Freeze/Unfreeze: Ability to lock or “Freeze” access to benefits on your EBT card and unlock or “Unfreeze” access to your EBT card, in real-time.
3. Transaction Blocking (Out-of-State or Internet Purchases): Ability to block transactions from occurring Out-of-State and/or Internet Purchases, and the EBT Cardholder can turn these features on and off using a computer or mobile device.
4. Request a Replacement Card: Ability to request a replacement card if the card is compromised, damaged, lost, or stolen.
5. Biometrics Access: EBT Cardholders are encouraged to use biometric access such as Touch ID or Facial Recognition enabled on your mobile device to securely log in.
CalFresh Benefit Replacement for Food Loss
Are you a CalFresh recipient experienced food loss due to a fire, flood, power outage lasting more than 4 hours or other disaster?
You can request a partial replacement of your CalFresh benefits if your food was lost due to a fire, flood or power outage lasting more than 4 hours.
For food loss resulting from fire, flood, disaster or a power outage lasting more than 4 hours you have 10 days from the date of the event to report the food loss and request CalFresh benefits replacement.
Call your Eligibility Worker or contact our Call Center at (877) 410-8817 or come into one of our office locations.
How do I request replacement of my CalFresh Food benefits?
You need to complete, sign, and submit a form called “CF 303” to your local Public Assistance office. Include your contact information and a short description of how your food was lost. Include the date and time of the event that caused the food loss.
Apply at BenefitsCal.com
You can apply for CalFresh online for free by visiting BenefitsCal.com!
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the CalFresh program that provides qualified applicants with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that may be used in participating grocery stores to supplement your food purchases. This new program is going to be replacing Food Stamps and continue to help those that need it. Eligibility for the program depends on residency, citizenship or immigration status, income, resources/assets, and other factors. The EBT card is used just like a debit card so it's discrete and no cash has to be moved.
For additional information about the program please come talk to a representative today for a quick chat about eligibility. Or, view the brochure Applying for CalFresh and visit the California Department of Social Services website at http://www.calfresh.ca.gov/
Application Process
Apply in person, online (BenefitsCal.com), mail, fax or phone. The minimum requirements to begin your application are your name, address and signature! A worker will contact you to discuss your situation, schedule an interview and ask for additional verifications such as income, identification and anything else needed to proceed with processing your application.
CalFresh Expedited Services
CalFresh Expedited Service means you can get your CalFresh in three days.
You are eligible to CalFresh Expedited Service if:
- Your household has less than $150.00 in monthly gross income and does not have assets (resources) over $100.00; or
- Your household’s total monthly income and resources are less than the monthly rent or mortgage, and utilities; or
- You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker and you do not have assets (resources) over $100.00.
CalFresh Urgent Service
You may be eligible to receive urgent CalFresh benefits within three days if:
- The combination of their gross monthly income and cash resources is less than their monthly rent or mortgage and utility costs;
- Your household has less than $150 in gross monthly income and cash resources of $100 or less; or
- You or someone in your household are migrant workers or seasonal farmworkers who are homeless, and your cash resources are $100 or less.
Your Rights
Do you have any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that make it hard for you to apply for benefits or meet program requirements? We can give extra help. We call this type of help a reasonable accommodation.
The law protects people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities as well as others with serious health problems (42 U.S.C. § 12132). Click the PUB 13 pamphlet on requesting an accommodation for more information.
¿Tiene alguna condición física, mental o emocional que le dificulte solicitar beneficios o cumplir con los requisitos del programa? Podemos brindarle ayuda adicional. A este tipo de ayuda la llamamos una adaptación razonable.
La ley protege a las personas con discapacidades físicas, mentales y del desarrollo, así como a otras personas con problemas de salud graves (42 U.S.C. § 12132). Haga clic en el folleto PUB 13 sobre cómo solicitar una adaptación para obtener más información.
PUB 13 is available in additional languages and formats on the CDSS Website
BenefitsCal is here!
BenefitsCal.com is a simple way for customers to apply for, view, and renew benefits for health coverage, food and cash assistance.
BenefitsCal is the first statewide automated site built by and for the people of California. Together, we benefit.
BenefitsCal will make it easier than ever to:
- Apply online
- Renew your benefits
- Upload documents
- Report changes
- Connect with a caseworker
BenefitsCal supports applications for
- CalFresh
- Medi-Cal/County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
- CalWORKS
- General Aid/General Relief (GA/GR)
- Disaster CalFresh
- Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
Visit BenefitsCal.com today to apply.
PREVENT EBT FRAUD!
Prevent your benefits from being stolen: do not share your EBT card number or PIN. We will never contact you to ask you to provide your card or PIN numbers. Please report all fraudulent activity to Marin County Public Assistance.
