Thousands of immigrants lose SNAP benefits on April 1 Starting April 1, tens of thousands of humanitarian immigrants in California are losing their access to food assistance.

B/c of Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill,” humanitarian immigrants can no longer receive food assistance through #CalFresh.

"it's an act of cruelty to our neighbors who are being targeted for no other reason than their immigration status." -Ezer Pamintuan @accfb.bsky.social

www.kalw.org/bay-area-new...

## What's at stake? The departments facing the biggest budgetary hit include public health, behavioral health and social services departments. President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” punctured a nearly $300 million hole in Fresno County’s budget for the coming fiscal year. The most immediate effects of the federal bill will lead to millions of dollars in losses to funding for social services like Medi-Cal and CalFresh — two of the country’s premier social safety net programs for low-income residents. CalFresh will lose half of its usual federal funding contribution, a loss of about $7.5 million for Fresno County residents. The projected deficit — first shared with the board of supervisors at its March 17 meeting — is still being refined, though early estimates range anywhere between about $69 and $295 million. The departments facing the biggest budgetary hit include public health, behavioral health and social services departments. Tania Pacheco-Werner is the executive director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State, a research organization that tracks the state of healthcare in the region. She said the magnitude of these cuts are by design. Never miss the top stories in Fresno — sign up for our free, daily newsletter. Subscribe “These changes were done on purpose,” Pacheco-Werner said. “This is not a mistake, and that’s important for people to remember now when we’re faced with the consequences of it.” The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” formally known as H.R. 1, was signed into law last year. The bill largely slashed federal spending, a longtime goal for the newly elected conservative congressional majority, by either cutting funding for safety net programs, or by altering funding obligations for those programs to have states and counties pick up more of the bill – a policy change dubbed “The Big Shift’. The impacts of the bill may be felt as far out as 2034, as parts of the policy kick in on a staggered basis. A news release shared by Fresno County last week announced that they, alongside a coalition of counties across the state, will continue to lobby state lawmakers to cover the expected budgetary shortfall caused by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But with a volatile fiscal climate currently clouding both the federal and state governments, it’s far from a guarantee that Fresno can remain insulated from a range of consequences that could overwhelm a laundry list of local services. ### The federal cuts will affect pretty much everyone The county highlighted, among other core community services, “election administration” as being at risk. James Kus, the Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters told Fresnoland that “the public would experience these reductions through reduced County Voter Information Guides, reduced staffing at Vote Centers potentially causing much longer wait times, and slower election results tabulation and reporting.” Kus added that the elections office’s budget is settled for the next two fiscal years, but impacts could start being felt between 2027 and 2029 — which coincides with the next presidential election. County staff said at the March 17 meeting that they’re already feeling the changes as work gets underway to craft the next budget. And while it remains too early to tell how many recipients may be barred from CalFresh following new requirements, thousands are bracing for impact. Sanja Bugay, director of the county’s department of social services, said that data, and a clearer picture on the projected budget shortfall overall, might not come until the new requirements kick in on June 1. “That’s when we’ll really know who falls in and who falls out,” Bugay said at the March 17 meeting. New federal requirements for CalFresh mandates recipients ages 18-64 to serve a minimum amount of hours on a job to stay eligible for the program. The new requirement, which has few exceptions, could impact over a million residents across the state, according to a report shared by the Public Policy Institute of California last year. Over a quarter of a million Fresno County residents were enrolled for CalFresh in 2025, according to a report released last year by the California Association of Food Banks. On top of that, the county will need to allocate resources to more closely monitor their error rates because of higher penalties for mistakes in payment amounts. Bugay said that the most recent error rate was about 4%. That rate was an improvement for the county, but she added that she believes “we are going to have a higher error rate just on the natural because of H.R. 1 implementation.” Other changes to Medi-Cal, like newly established work requirements, could also lead to as many as 30,000 residents losing coverage, according to Tuesday’s presentation. Pacheco-Werner said that requirements like these can sometimes pass by nationally through a narrative that “lazy” workers are taking advantage of these programs. But she added that those narratives typically ignore the struggle prospective workers have in finding a job, “especially the disabled.” “Requirements like these will always have a stronger burden on places like the Valley,” Pacheco-Werner said. “We are talking about a region that is already economically depressed, where people already have a hard time finding a job, any job…” Fresno County has an unemployment rate of about 8.5%, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank. That’s higher than the state’s rate, and almost double the nation’s average. Early last year, the Trump Administration cut $12 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The effect of those cuts trickled down to Fresno by way of an $11 million loss in federal grants, leading to job losses and early contract terminations. The West Family Fresno Resource Center was among the local organizations affected by those cuts. Yolanda Randles, the Center’s executive director, said there are losses that happen beyond the reported loss of jobs and funding. “We’re that trusted entity that folks rely on for support,” Randles said. “If we’re not there, then where can those people turn to?” When asked how many people were affected by last year’s fiscal cuts last year, Randles did not have an exact number to share, but she was comfortable enough to say that the number was in the “thousands.” Last fall also saw multiple local leaders and organizations financially step up to cover a brief stop in CalFresh funding during the federal government shutdown. Natalie Caples, co-CEO of the Central California Food Bank, told Fresnoland that they saw more than 67,000 new* visitors between October and November last year during that stretch. Though the shutdown ended in early November, Caples added that the increased services for the food bank lasted until December. Caples said the food bank is preparing to see an influx of visitors impacted by the changes from H.R. 1 starting in October, and is already lobbying with state lawmakers to help as a result. Alongside the California Association of Food Banks, they’re lobbying for among other things, an extra $50 million in one-time funding to help mitigate the effects of the federal policy. Since the state legally requires counties to provide basic and necessary health coverage to many of these individuals, Fresno’s health departments could see an exponential increase in health costs. Fresno County Administrative Officer Paul Nerland said that among the county’s future considerations will be to decide if they should reevaluate Fresno’s eligibility criteria for indignant care following an anticipated increase in the population, and considering how to financially handle the hiring of new workers necessary to monitor Medi-Cal’s updated work requirements. Over the next 12 months alone, immigrants living lawfully in the U.S. will lose their healthcare coverage, and the work requirements will kick in — both moves that will surely affect health providers across the state. ### Is the state government likely to help ? Last week’s news release shared that the counties are asking the state for a commitment of more than $6 billion dollars over the next two years. California Gov. Gavin Newsom released his proposed budget plan in January. The plan included investments that would cover an estimated amount anticipated to be lost in state funds due to the Big Beautiful Bill. However, state budget analysts believe the governor’s estimates are off by billions. The next state budget revised proposal will be released in May. ### Does the county have funding alternatives to shore up these losses? Fresno County staff says there are some tools at their disposal that could help bring in more revenue, money that could partially offset some of these changes. Earlier this year, board supervisors initiated the process of introducing a transient occupancy tax to the county, a move that could bring in millions in annual revenue. An ordinance in April would put that tax on this year’s ballot. Starting in 2027, new solar projects will be subject to property taxes following the end to a state incentive policy. Offsetting measures like these, however, are not guaranteed to cover the sizable hole created by the federal government. The county will resume budget discussions in June following the unveiling of their recommended budget, which should also include more accurate revenue estimates for the next fiscal year. Budget hearings will begin on Sept. 14 for the final plan. Randles and her organization were advised to try and maintain multiple streams of revenue following the cuts. The Center regularly holds fundraisers, including one planned for this fall to celebrate its 25 years of service. Those fundraisers happened often, but Randles said following last year’s experience, the success of those fundraisers are “extremely important. Now more than ever before.” When asked how other local organizations might want to prepare for their own worst-case scenarios following these funding cuts, Randles said it was virtually impossible. “You can’t,” Randles said. “I don’t know how you can…that was a hard lesson to learn.” * * * ## Support our hyperlocal reporting with a donation today. Every week we bring you deeply reported stories about the essential issues facing our region. Please help us continue our work by becoming a monthly member. One-time Monthly Annually One-time Donation amount $ Monthly Donation amount per month $ Annually Donation amount per year $ Thank you for supporting local, nonprofit news! Donate ### _Related_ ← Back #### Thank you for your response. ✨ Did this story have an impact on you? If so, please tell us how. 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#Fresno County braces for impact to #MediCal and #CalFresh following federal budget cuts
fresnoland.org/2026/03/31/fresno-county...
#SNAP #California

Starting April 1, tens of thousands of humanitarian #immigrants across CA will be excluded from #CalFresh because of federal bill, #HR1. @kqednews.kqed.org @nisakhan.bsky.social

Read more: www.kqed.org/news/1207816...

Facebook

Today at 11am, the #Food4All coalition will gather at @accfb.bsky.social to urge CA leaders to keep Californians fed. Harmful federal exclusions are denying humanitarian immigrants access to #CalFresh. We must take a stand 👏

Tune into the press conference: facebook.com/alcofoodbank

Assemblymember Alex Lee Requests $100 million to Expand CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program | Official Website - Assemblymember Alex Lee Representing the 24th California Assembly District Assemblymember Alex Lee seeks to expand a successful CalFresh program that makes fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program serves tens of thousands of low-income Californians monthly, providing them with dollar-for-dollar rebates for groceries.

“As families brace for devastating federal cuts, we must ensure low-income Californians have access to affordable and nutritious food." @votealexlee.bsky.social

CA leaders must support the #CalFresh Fruit and Veggie EBT Program!

lee.asmdc.org/press-releas...

Team Ashby was proud to join the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in recognition of National Nutrition Month and the incredible work nutrition professionals do every day to improve public health across our state.

#NationalNutritionMonth #CalFresh #PublicHealth

null | Nourish Action Center

Raise your voice in support of the #CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program!

CA families must have access to fresh fruits and vegetables — and this program helps make that happen.

use our sample email to submit a public comment to the senate budget subcommittee! act.nourishca.org/action/2026-...

Transforming Public Transit: Clipper START Partnership Streamlines Application Process The Clipper START partnership introduces an automated system that speeds up approval for CalFresh recipients seeking transit fare discounts in the Bay Area.

Transforming Public Transit: Clipper START Partnership Streamlines Application Process #United_States #San_Francisco #MTC #CalFresh #Clipper_START

At the #AB2299 press conference, #CalFresh recipient Diane Burkholder shared how food assistance helps her survive.

“About 70% of my food comes from the CalFresh program.”

Her story isn’t unique: 82% of Long Beach residents report food insecurity.

CA must act to protect families from hunger.

TY everyone who submitted a public comment!!

Lena, from Fullwell, testified in support of the #CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT program during the hearing yesterday. youtu.be/ZALZL1stH8I

Michelle, from Nourish CA, also gave a public comment in person. Check it out! www.tiktok.com/@nourishcali...

At today’s Sub No. 2 hearing on Human Services, Dr. Corey Jackson opened w/ a reminder of why this work matters.
“We are doing everything that we can to make sure that we keep you stable, that we keep you safe, and that you have an opportunity to thrive here in CA.” #HR1 #CalFresh #EndChildPoverty

2/25/2026 Asm Budget Hearing: Public Comment Directions & Script ***mensaje en español abajo*** CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Program Public Comment Sample Script for Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 Human Services Hearing February 25, 2026, 1:30 p.m. or upon a...

📢 fruits and vegetables should be affordable

The #CalFresh fruit and vegetable EBT program helps make that happen, but it needs more $$ to continue. Take action to support the program in today's assembly budget hearing!

use our easy email script:
docs.google.com/document/d/1...

211 provides essential navigation for individuals and families seeking resources, from housing, food, income support to health and mental health and more.

With cuts to #SNAP #CalFresh and paperwork requirements for #Medi-Cal, #211 will be even more critical.
#nonprofits #nonprofitsky

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Understanding Access to CalFresh & Public Benefits in California for Immigrant Communities . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about ... With the passage of the federal reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) and the new California state budget, the eligibility rules for vital programs like CalFresh, tax credits, and others will change significan...

WEBINAR 2/11: Because of #HR1 & the new #CABudget, eligibility rules for programs like #CalFresh, tax credits, & others will change significantly in the coming years. Join the conversation: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... @caimmigrant.bsky.social @economicsecurityproject.org

Flyer with a pink heart-themed background and a colorful “CalFresh Healthy Living” logo surrounded by fruits and vegetables at the top. Large heading reads “Cal Fresh Forum.” Text explains the event provides information about the CalFresh program, formerly known as food stamps, and includes news and updates. It invites attendees to food training about balanced diet meals and foods to avoid. Event details: Tuesday, February 17th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Topics include easy gardening, composting and recycling, nutrition and healthy eating, and how to save money on a budget. Bottom text reads, “Sign-up at Rollingstart.com/calendar.” Accessibility icons and the Rolling Start Inc. logo appear in the lower right corner.

🥗 Eat smart. Feel better. Live balanced!

🌿 Join our Cal Fresh Forum for simple, budget-friendly tips on balanced meals, healthy swaps, and portion sizes that keep you energized. ✨

Register: rollingstart.com/calendar

🗓️ Feb 17 | 1–2 PM

#CalFresh #HealthyLiving #NutritionTips #IndependentLiving

New CalFresh Work or Community Engagement Rules Changes to CalFresh will begin on June 1, 2026. The changes are happening in order to implement a law signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. This law is known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H...

Changes to California's food assistance program CalFresh (SNAP) are coming June 1, 2026. Make sure you are informed about these changes, and please share. Read the article and get the details:
thearcca.org/new-calfresh... #CalFresh #FoodStamps #SNAP #FoodAssistance

#CalFresh keeps millions of CAs out of poverty. Immigration status should not be a barrier to our state’s food safety net 👏 #Food4All #NoExceptionsNoExclusionsNoDelays

Exigen asistencia alimentaria para todos sin importar estatus migratorio - La Opinión La Coalición Food4All pide al gobernador y legisladores tomar responsabilidad para que las familias tengan alimentos en la mesa

#CalFresh permite que millones de californianos no caigan en la pobreza. La condición migratoria no debería de ser una barrera para la red seguridad alimentaria de nuestro estado 👏 #Food4All #SinExcepcionesSinExclusionesSinDemoras

laopinion.com/2026/02/01/e...

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

CPL update: Meet 3 new CPL staff members + new research:
->racial disparities in police searches in CA
->Prop 36 update for December
->the LPIE exemption college students can use to qualify for #CalFresh
->housing vouchers in Sonoma County
->student loan repayment
capolicylab.org/newsletter/c...

Community advocate Kalisha Goodwin’s message at the Stronger CA reception puts a human face on #CalWORKs, #Medi-Cal, #CalFresh, and Black Infant Health matter.
“These are not line items in a budget. They are the resources that held me up while I built a stronger life for myself and my kids.”

Flyer titled “Cal Fresh Forum” with the CalFresh Healthy Living logo at the top, surrounded by colorful fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, grapes, oranges, peppers, broccoli, watermelon, and bananas. The flyer provides information about the CalFresh program, formerly known as Food Stamps, and mentions discussion of CalFresh news and updates. Text reads: “It’s food training time! Learn about balanced diet meals and what type of foods to avoid.” Event details list Tuesday, January 6th, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The flyer highlights tips and tricks including easy gardening, composting and recycling, nutrition and healthy eating, and how to save money on a budget. At the bottom, text reads: “Sign-up at Rollingstart.com/calendar.” Accessibility icons and the Rolling Start Inc. logo appear in the lower right corner.

🥗 Eat smart. Feel better.

Join our CalFresh Forum to learn balanced meals, healthy swaps, and budget-friendly nutrition tips you can use right away.

🗓️ Tues, Jan 6 | 1–2 PM
🔗 rollingstart.com/calendar

#CalFresh #HealthyLiving #RollingStart #NutritionTips

This is a critical time where families need more help accessing food -- and the federal government wants to continue to cut off their resources.

#CalFresh and food banks are two powerful approaches to feeding Californians. We must invest in them.

capitolweekly.net/how-sacramen... @cafoodbanks.org

"In what world is it moral to inflict cuts to programs utilized by the most vulnerable families… all in the name of giving an annual average tax cut of $62,000 to people making $743,000 or more a year?”-Asm. LaShae Sharp-Collins
#CalFresh #CAAssembly #foodinsecurity #EndChildPoverty

Paperwork Over People: Why Republican “Work Requirements” Fail Families Republican work requirements add unnecessary rules that strips health care, food assistance, and other vital resources from families in need.

Work requirements to receive #CalFresh don't increase employment!

"Instead, they take health care, food, and other vital resources away from families and individuals in need — disproportionately Black people and other people of color" calbudgetcenter.org/resources/pa...

The cover of a Nutrition Policy Institute report: “California Nutrition Incentive Program Text Message (SMS) Pilot Shopper Evaluation.” Blue text reads: “Pilot study suggests text messages to SNAP shoppers may improve awareness of farmers’ markets.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.

A woman pays for produce at a farmers market. Blue box with white quotation text that reads: “ “I did know about [the farmers’ markets] before, but they didn’t really catch my attention… back then going to a farmers’ market seemed very expensive to me… But when I started seeing the [text] messages… then I went, bought fruits and vegetables, then I kind of liked it.” - SNAP shopper” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.

New @npi.ucanr.edu @ucanr.edu pilot study suggests weekly texts to #SNAP #CalFresh shoppers may boost awareness of farmers’ markets.🥕 Participants liked the texts & visited markets more, though barriers still limited #GusNIP #CNIP #MarketMatch use. Insights can guide future research. bit.ly/48XtFlN

Flyer titled Cal Fresh Forum featuring information on the CalFresh program, formerly known as Food Stamps. The top shows the CalFresh Healthy Living logo surrounded by colorful fruits and vegetables such as grapes, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, and bananas. Text below reads: For information on the CalFresh program. Talking about CalFresh news and updates. It’s food training time. Learn about balanced diet meals and what type of foods to avoid. Tuesday, December 16th at 1pm to 2pm. Featuring tips and tricks to help with all of your food needs including easy gardening, composting and recycling, nutrition and healthy eating, and how to save money on a budget and more. The bottom banner says Sign up at Rollingstart dot com forward slash calendar. The Rolling Start Inc. logo is shown with accessibility icons in the corner.

🥗 Eat smart, feel better! Join our CalFresh Forum to learn easy, budget-friendly tips for balanced meals and healthy swaps.

✨ Register Today!
🗓️ Tue, Dec 16 | 1–2PM
🔗 rollingstart.com/calendar

#CalFresh #HealthyLiving #RollingStart #EatSmart #NutritionTips

The Buzz 12.04.25 Read the full article on Monterey County Now.

The Buzz 12.04.25 #montereycounty #freespeech #foodwaste #renewableenergy #sandcity #calfresh

Richardson Helps Restore CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Program - Los Angeles Sentinel Senator Laura Richardson (D–South Bay), Fullwell, Nourish California, UC San Diego Center for Community Health, and Mother’s Nutritional Center US joined forces to highlight the critical role of the C...

“With 20% of CA families, including children, seniors, &those with chronic health conditions, experiencing food insecurity on a daily basis, expanding access to healthy food is not just a policy priority, it is a moral obligation,” Senator Laura Richardson #CalFresh

lasentinel.net/richardson-h...

When #CalFresh benefits were jeopardized, CPL's research showed 400,000+ college students could be impacted.
In this "in the news" highlight, Dr. Johanna Lacoe, a co-author of this research, is interviewed about the potential impacts on students. capolicylab.org/news/analysi...

#foodsecurity #gratitude #generositymatters #GiveWhereYouLive #siskiyoufoodbanks #SiskiyouCounty #2025nsgt #cfnorthstate #CalFresh #NorthStateGivingTuesday #2025NSGT #northstategive #foodassistanceprograms