New CalFresh work requirements could impact thousands in Fresno County

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- New work requirements for CalFresh recipients are set to take effect in June, potentially putting access to food assistance at risk for tens of thousands of residents in Fresno County.

County officials say the changes come as they work to keep as many eligible people enrolled as possible, following recent eligibility updates that already affected some lawfully present humanitarian immigrants.

Beginning June 1, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 64 without dependents will be required to prove they are working, attending school or volunteering to continue receiving benefits.

Those who do not meet the criteria must qualify for an exemption or risk losing assistance at their next renewal.

Officials emphasized that benefits will not be cut on June 1. Instead, any changes will occur during each recipient's regular renewal process.

Fresno County's Department of Social Services estimates that out of 240,000 local CalFresh recipients, about 40,000 may need to demonstrate eligibility under the new rules.

"Of those 240,000, we're expecting about 40,000 currently do not qualify for an exemption, or we're not sure if they meet a work requirement," said Joshua Hernandez, deputy director of the department.

Recipients who may be affected will be contacted for individual evaluations as their cases come up for renewal.

"These individuals are going to get one-on-one interviews, and we'll work, explain the rules to them and we'll attempt to try to see what other exemptions that we don't know about they may qualify for," Hernandez said.

The changes stem from federal legislation known as HR1, referred to as President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." County officials say the new requirements will significantly increase staff workload, as thousands of recipients will need individual assessments without any increase in staffing.

Local food banks are preparing for a potential surge in demand as some residents may lose benefits.

"People re-certify on a three-month cycle, so what we're anticipating is that in about September, there will be about a 60,000 household hit right here in Central California," said Kym Dildine, co-CEO of the Central California Food Bank.

Dildine said the organization already serves more than 300,000 people each month and expects that number to rise as economic pressures and policy changes intersect.

"CalFresh really is a great benefit to our community, ensuring that households have access to the healthy, nutritious food that they need to thrive. Now, they're going to have to scramble to figure out how they're going to make those ends meet," Dildine said.

County officials advise recipients to stay informed about their renewal dates and respond promptly to requests for information to avoid disruptions in benefits.

More information about the changes is available through Fresno County's website.

For news updates, follow Vincent Camarillo on Instagram.