Last month, the Jacobs & Cushman Food Bank reported that local food distribution lines have grown significantly, with food banks reporting a 20% jump in demand as emergency food networks operate at full capacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Over 33,000 San Diegans lost their CalFresh benefits leading up to mid-2026, with roughly 90,000 to 93,000 residents at risk or directly affected by the new eligibility barriers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n “The program says that if an individual who is subject to the requirement is only able to receive benefits for three months in a 36-month period, so September 1 would be the first day of the third month,” Alberto Banuelos, the Interim Director of Self Sufficiency Services for San Diego County, said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Banuelos told CBS 8 that the majority of the county’s CalFresh recipients lost eligibility in June.\u00a0<\/p>\n “So we will see an impact by means of discontinuances at the end of September,” Banuelos said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prior exemptions for vulnerable groups– including veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth under 24– have been removed.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, people should verify if they are exempt from the work requirements due to a disability, pregnancy, if they are over the age of 65, or have a child under the age of 14.\u00a0<\/p>\n