A MAJOR SHIFT IN FOOD ASSISTANCE IS NOW UNDERWAY IN CALIFORNIA. THOUSANDS COULD NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR CALFRESH. KCRA 3’S CORTEZ TELLS US WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR AREA. THE PALLETS ON THE FORKLIFT. COULD GET A HEAVIER LOAD. AS FEDERAL CHANGES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR SNAP GO INTO EFFECT. STARTING TODAY. EVERY ONE MEAL THAT A FOOD BANK PROVIDES. CALFRESH PROVIDES NINE CALFRESH. THE STATE’S FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTING NEW ELIGIBILITY RULES STEMMING FROM THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL SIGNED IN JULY, WOULD ELIMINATE MOST LAWFULLY PRESENT IMMIGRANTS FROM THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES, PAROLEES, AND VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. WE KNOW FROM OTHER RESEARCH THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THAT FOOD INSECURITY INCREASES GREATLY. OF THE MORE THAN 70,000 LAWFULLY PRESENT NON-CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE, ROUGHLY HALF OF THEM LIVE HERE IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY, POTENTIALLY PUTTING A STRAIN ON LOTS OF LOCAL FOOD BANKS. 2025 WAS OUR BUSIEST YEAR EVER. HERE IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. WE’VE HAD MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE, AND THIS YEAR WE’VE SEEN AN INCREASE FROM THAT. THE SACRAMENTO FOOD BANK SAYS THEY HAVE FED MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE JUST IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. WITH THESE CALFRESH CHANGES, THAT COUNT COULD GET EVEN HIGHER. WE’RE UNSURE OF WHAT THE DEMAND IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE EXACTLY. WE KNOW ACROSS THE STATE THEY’RE EXPECTING ABOUT 72,000 IMMIGRANTS TO LOSE THEIR BENEFITS AT SOME POINT, BUT IT WON’T BE IMMEDIATE. IT’S GOING TO BE A STEADY INCREASE AS PEOPLE’S RECERTIFICATION ROLLS AROUND AND THEY’RE TAKEN OFF. THOSE ROLLS IMPACTED RECIPIENTS WON’T LOSE BENEFITS IMMEDIATELY. EXPERTS SAY THE IMPACT WILL COME IN WAVES AS NON-CITIZENS LOSE ELIGIBILITY WHEN THEY CAN’T RENEW AT RECERTIFICATION. AND COMING DOWN THE ROAD MORE IN JUNE. ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS AS THE CHANGES TAKE HOLD, FOOD BANKS SAY THE REAL IMPACT MAY ONLY JUST BE THE BEGINNING. WE’RE PREPARING, WE’RE READY TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN. BUT FOOD BANKS CANNOT REPLACE CALFRESH. SACRAMENTO CORTEZ, KCRA THREE NEWS. WELL, IT’S THE SECOND OF THREE CHANGES TO WHO QUALIFIES FOR CALFRESH. THE FIRST HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER. IT IMP
CalFresh eligibility changes threaten to strain local food assistance
New CalFresh rules set to affect thousands in Sacramento County; food banks brace for impact
Updated: 7:39 PM PDT Apr 1, 2026
Changes to CalFresh take effect today, potentially leaving thousands of immigrants in Sacramento County at risk of food insecurity.“For every one meal that a food bank provides, CalFresh provides nine,” said Kevin Buffalino of the Sacramento Food Bank, highlighting the program’s vital role for local families.The changes stem from California’s implementation of “the one big beautiful bill,” signed last July, which tightened eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new rules will eliminate most lawfully present immigrants from CalFresh, including: AsyleesRefugeesParolees (unless they are Cuban and Haitian Entrants)Individuals with deportation or removal withheldConditional entrantsVictims of traffickingBattered noncitizensIraqi or Afghan with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)Certain Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023Certain Ukrainian Nationals granted parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024 “We know from other research that when that happens, food insecurity increases significantly,” said Jason Whisler, a labor researcher at UC Davis.Of the more than 70,000 lawfully present non-citizens across California, roughly half reside in Sacramento County, raising concerns about the strain on local food banks.“2025 was our busiest year ever,” Buffalino said. “Here in Sacramento County, we’ve seen even more people in need this year.”In the past six months, the Sacramento Food Bank has fed more than a quarter of a million people. With the CalFresh changes, that number is expected to climb.“We don’t yet know exactly what the demand will look like. Statewide, about 72,000 immigrants are projected to lose benefits, but it won’t happen all at once,” Buffalino said.Whisler added, “It’s going to be a steady increase as people reach their recertification period and are removed from the program.”Recipients already enrolled in CalFresh won’t lose their benefits immediately. However, once their benefits come up for recertification after April 1, they may no longer qualify. For example, if someone’s annual renewal is scheduled for June, they would continue receiving benefits until that time. For most households, recertification happens once every 12 months.“And coming down the road in June, additional work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents will take effect,” Whisler said, signaling a second wave of changes.Food banks say the real impact may just be beginning.“We’re preparing, we’re ready to do whatever we can. But food banks cannot replace CalFresh,” Buffalino said.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Changes to CalFresh take effect today, potentially leaving thousands of immigrants in Sacramento County at risk of food insecurity.
“For every one meal that a food bank provides, CalFresh provides nine,” said Kevin Buffalino of the Sacramento Food Bank, highlighting the program’s vital role for local families.
The changes stem from California’s implementation of “the one big beautiful bill,” signed last July, which tightened eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new rules will eliminate most lawfully present immigrants from CalFresh, including:
AsyleesRefugeesParolees (unless they are Cuban and Haitian Entrants)Individuals with deportation or removal withheldConditional entrantsVictims of traffickingBattered noncitizensIraqi or Afghan with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)Certain Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023Certain Ukrainian Nationals granted parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024
“We know from other research that when that happens, food insecurity increases significantly,” said Jason Whisler, a labor researcher at UC Davis.
Of the more than 70,000 lawfully present non-citizens across California, roughly half reside in Sacramento County, raising concerns about the strain on local food banks.
“2025 was our busiest year ever,” Buffalino said. “Here in Sacramento County, we’ve seen even more people in need this year.”
In the past six months, the Sacramento Food Bank has fed more than a quarter of a million people. With the CalFresh changes, that number is expected to climb.
“We don’t yet know exactly what the demand will look like. Statewide, about 72,000 immigrants are projected to lose benefits, but it won’t happen all at once,” Buffalino said.
Whisler added, “It’s going to be a steady increase as people reach their recertification period and are removed from the program.”
Recipients already enrolled in CalFresh won’t lose their benefits immediately. However, once their benefits come up for recertification after April 1, they may no longer qualify. For example, if someone’s annual renewal is scheduled for June, they would continue receiving benefits until that time. For most households, recertification happens once every 12 months.
“And coming down the road in June, additional work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents will take effect,” Whisler said, signaling a second wave of changes.
Food banks say the real impact may just be beginning.
“We’re preparing, we’re ready to do whatever we can. But food banks cannot replace CalFresh,” Buffalino said.