CalFresh Benefit Changes Take Effect in San Diego

Starting today, approximately 13,000 San Diego County residents could lose their CalFresh benefits due to new federal regulations. These changes alter eligibility requirements, specifically impacting non-citizens who previously qualified for food assistance.

Who is Affected by the New Rules?

Impact on Non-Citizen Residents

The revised federal rules disqualify many non-citizens from receiving CalFresh benefits. This includes refugees, asylum seekers, and other individuals who were previously eligible for the program. The changes are being implemented in phases.

Phased Rollout and Current Recipients

Individuals already enrolled in CalFresh will be able to continue using their existing benefits for now. However, their benefits will be discontinued upon recertification. This means that as current recipients renew their eligibility, they will be subject to the new rules.

Increased Demand for Food Bank Services

Local food banks are preparing for a potential surge in demand. Feeding San Diego reports they have already observed an increase in requests for assistance due to rising living costs and inflation. The CalFresh changes are expected to exacerbate this trend.

Feeding San Diego Responds

“This is really potentially devastating for people who live on low incomes, you know, have relied on those benefits, need those benefits, and now all of a sudden are, you know, not going to have them and are going to have to fall into that nonprofit social safety net because the government's no longer going to be providing those benefits for them,” said Carissa Casares of Feeding San Diego.

Resources and Assistance

Feeding San Diego is encouraging individuals to update their information, as some may still qualify based on changes to their immigration status. The organization emphasizes that they do not require proof of citizenship and are available to assist anyone in need.