US EditionThousands Of CalFresh Recipients In Riverside County Facing Benefits Cuts
County officials said the rule change could affect thousands of recipients and direct residents to food banks, 211 and WIC for help.
- Changes to CalFresh eligibility took effect Wednesday, April 1, 2026, removing thousands of non-citizens, including refugees and asylum seekers, from the program in Riverside County and San Diego County.
- The Department of Public Social Services confirmed the adjustments stem from federal policy updates outlined in H.R. 1, making certain non-citizens ineligible for food assistance benefits.
- While CalFresh enrollment changes, the Women, Infants, and Children program remains unaffected; residents ineligible for CalFresh might qualify for the California Food Assistance Program under PRWORA of 1996.
- Officials urge beneficiaries to keep contact information updated via the BenefitsCal portal; those seeking assistance can contact the 211 resource line or local food banks for alternatives.
- Starting October 2027, CFAP eligibility will expand to include individuals 55 and older regardless of immigration status, while community organizations and food banks generally do not collect immigration data.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Juan Montesló, Thermal, California (KUNA) – According to the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, starting April 1, 2026, some non-citizens may see changes in their eligibility for the CalFresh program. Non-citizen and non-permanent resident recipients may remain eligible if their status changes to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and they meet the other requirements. Additionally, some legally resident non-citizens may also qua…
Changes to CalFresh eligibility to impact non-citizens
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - Changes to CalFresh eligibility affecting certain non-citizens will take effect tomorrow, potentially impacting thousands of recipients in Riverside County. The county Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) said the changes stem from federal policy updates outlined in H.R. 1 and will make some non-citizens ineligible for food assistance benefits. Those affected include certain asylees, refugees, parolees, indivi…
CalFresh eligibility is changing, limiting some non-citizens' access
Starting Wednesday, various groups of non-citizens will no longer be able to access from California’s food benefits program, the state’s Department of Public Social Services announced Tuesday. Under the federal policy updates, some immigrant groups, such as asylum seekers, refugees and victims of trafficking, will not benefit from CalFresh. Those with pending deportation as well as parolees will no longer receive the benefits, the according to t…
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