BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — CalFresh recipients in Kern County are facing new work requirements and upcoming eligibility changes that could affect who keeps food assistance benefits.
Work requirements that began June 1 required some recipients to work at least 20 hours a week to keep their benefits. That three-month window expired Sept. 1, meaning recipients could potentially lose CalFresh benefits if they did not meet those requirements.
In Kern County, the immediate impact is expected to be limited, but more changes are ahead. Oct. 1 is seen as the more important date for CalFresh recipients in the county, with new poverty-level requirements expected to take effect.
Harding Johnson, a CalFresh recipient, said people who are working can still struggle to get by.
“I think a lot of people, such as myself, who have done their best to go to work and find employment, but find themselves still living below that poverty level, definitely need to have resources and these types of benefits available,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he is aware of the poverty-level requirements for CalFresh recipients and the changes expected Oct. 1. The new levels have not yet been announced, but they will be different than what has been in place. Under the current standard, a household’s gross monthly income must be under 200% of the federal poverty level:
– One person: $2,610 per month
– Two people: $3,526 per month
– Three people: $4,442 per month
– Four people: $5,360 per month
The number of Kern County recipients who could lose benefits because of the work requirements is still undetermined, according to Kristy Torres of Kern County Human Services. Torres said there are approximately 210,000 CalFresh recipients in Kern County.
Statewide, there are about 2.7 million working people who receive CalFresh in California, and about 1 million people whose status is unknown, according to Jimmy Chen, the CEO and founder of Propel.
“The state of California has released an estimate that about 665,000 of those folks are likely to lose their benefits as a result,” Chen said.
Propel, a SNAP benefits app, is used by 5 million people nationwide and about 700,000 in California. Chen said the app provides continual reminders of eligibility requirements and encouraged recipients to take action, including using a work-requirements screener available on the app.
“Changes like this are always difficult because any big change that happens to millions of people, you know, it’s just hard to understand and especially kind like this where you’re not sure if it applies to you or not. It is a really big change in the program. And so we take it very seriously,” Chen said.
Johnson said many people in Kern County are struggling financially, including people who are working.