Topline:
While many states are implementing changes beginning this month, CA will not see changes until November 2024. CA was granted a waiver through October 2024.
Future changes: California has a waiver in place for work requirements through October 31, 2024. Come November 1st, 2024, able bodied adults between the ages of 18 to 54 without children or dependents living with them will have to show that they have worked at least 80 hours a month to qualify for Cal Fresh benefits.
Who’s exempt: There are a variety of ways to be exempt. Unhoused people, veterans and those up to 24 years old out of the foster care system are exempt from his requirement.
Why it matters: Around 5 million people in California benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, locally known as CalFresh. According to the California Budget and Policy Center, the program has helped in reducing poverty among families.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that around 750,000 adults aged 50-54 — with nearly half of that women — could lose out on SNAP benefits because of this requirement.
The backstory: Earlier this year, those on SNAP were dealt another blow when federal pandemic assistance ended, reducing payments by about $90 each month for an individual and by $250 for some households.
Previously, able-bodied, childless applicants had to show that they worked at least 20 hours a week to qualify for the benefits. The changes to the work requirements were proposed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and supported by Republicans as a way to reduce the debt ceiling.