A new federal spending plan pushed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans has introduced significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is known in California as CalFresh.
While these cuts are less severe compared to earlier proposals, California stands to lose over two billion dollars, impacting approximately 400,000 residents in San Diego who rely on CalFresh benefits.
The consequences of the new regulations are not yet fully understood, as local officials have not provided specific details on how residents will be affected.
Critically, groups that were previously exempt from federal work requirements are now facing potential loss of benefits.
New eligibility criteria require veterans, the homeless, older adults, and parents of older children to prove they are engaged in 20 hours of work per week within a three-month period.
Failure to meet these new demands could result in losing access to vital food assistance.
In addition to immediate eligibility changes, many other SNAP beneficiaries in California will see alterations in their benefits starting in 2026, as the costs of the program begin to shift to the states.
The proposed changes leave states with limited options; if they can’t fund the program, they will either have to reduce the number of eligible recipients or withdraw from the program altogether.
In the fiscal year 2024, California distributed $12 billion in CalFresh benefits.
The law passed against the counsel of numerous officials, both Democratic and Republican, who raised concerns about the financial strain it would impose on states and the potential repercussions for vulnerable demographics.
Proponents of the measure argued that it would eliminate fraud and misuse of resources.
However, critics contend that it will lead to unnecessary hardship among populations dependent on federal food assistance.
Gina Plata-Nino, former Biden adviser on nutrition policy and now the SNAP deputy director at the nonprofit Food Research & Action Center, labeled the changes as “harmful.”
She emphasized the challenges faced by low-income workers, particularly in rural areas, where part-time employment often stems from a lack of affordable childcare options.
Moreover, unpaid caretaking responsibilities will not count towards the work hour requirements necessary to maintain benefits.
Food assistance organizations have underscored SNAP’s critical role in providing food security for millions.
Karissa Wilburn, spokesperson for the San Diego Food Bank, noted a rising demand for food assistance, with an increase in clients seeking help over the previous year.
This worrying trend is expected to worsen as federal funding for safety net programs continues to decline.
Experts highlight the importance of SNAP not only for individual families but also for the broader local economy.
“It brings billions of dollars into California,” Plata-Nino remarked, noting that this influx supports local businesses and generates tax revenue through consumer spending.
Should a significant portion of the population lose access to SNAP, local retailers may struggle to stay afloat.
CalFresh operates under a unique framework in California, where county governments administer the program rather than the state.
Amid rising administrative costs linked to new eligibility requirements, San Diego County anticipates that the changes will escalate the overall expenses of providing benefits.
In a recent meeting, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors took action by instructing staff to develop a report assessing how to respond to the impending federal funding cuts.
The most substantial anticipated cost involves adjustments to CalFresh, especially regarding compliance with the new work requirements.
With implementation starting in fall 2026, states will be responsible for 75% of the costs associated with administering SNAP, a shift from the previous 50%.
In 2027, states will also begin covering a portion of food costs, a departure from the existing situation where the federal government covers all food expenses tied to SNAP.
States will be liable for costs based on how benefits were disbursed in 2025 or 2026, and penalties for mismanagement or errors will further complicate financial planning.
As states grapple with the impending changes, they will find themselves in difficult financial situations due to varying error rates in benefit distribution across the country.
California, with an error rate of about 11% for 2024, risks facing significant penalties, potentially forcing it to cover 15% of food costs, amounting to nearly $2 billion.
Alaska, facing a much higher error rate, was granted a temporary reprieve from penalties, leaving California in a precarious position.
As the federal government implements these changes, the future of SNAP remains uncertain, and the potential for increased hardship looms over the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
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