SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — In San Diego County, nearly 400,000 people rely on CalFresh benefits every single month, and now changes to the program could impact about 13,000 people in the county, preventing them from getting food assistance through the program.

President Donald Trump signed into law the Big Beautiful Bill last year, which impacted those who are eligible for assistance.

According to the California Department of Social Services, the list of categories of lawfully present immigrants that will no longer be eligible for CalFresh includes asylees, refugees, some parolees, Iraqis and Afghans with special immigrant visas (SIV) who are not lawful permanent residents and certain Afghan and Ukrainian nationals who were granted parole within the last several years.

CalFresh changes for some noncitizens start in April, resources available

“It’s just another nail in the coffin for these folks,” said Shawn VanDiver with #AfghanEvac.

VanDiver is an outspoken advocate for Afghan allies and says these changes will leave so many struggling.

“It sucks that all these people that served and our veterans of our wars who fought for us can’t count on government to take care of them. They’re just trying to get back on their feet and restart their lives and get a shot at the American dream,” he said.

Moving forward, as of April 1, 2026, non-citizens enrolled in CalFresh will have their eligibility reviewed at their next renewal, and it’s likely they’ll need to look for other food assistance resources, like the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego.

“Catholic Charities is here to help community anytime they need help with food,” said Kimberly Ortiz with the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

A new food pantry at the Chula Vista library was unveiled on Wednesday, offering a variety of nutrient-rich foods.

It’s one of the Catholic Charities’ 21 food pantries across San Diego and Imperial counties open to anyone in need.

“Catholic Charities is about meeting people where they are, no matter gender, race, or religion. People come to us for food, and we won’t ask questions; we will give them food,” Ortiz said. The organization relies on donations, both food and monetary, to keep its food pantries open and running.

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