LOS ANGELES, CA – California households receiving CalFresh are entering a new federal fiscal year with several changes to the food assistance program, including higher maximum monthly allotments, expanded work and community-engagement requirements, new restrictions affecting some noncitizens and a larger share of administrative costs shifting to the state.
The changes are tied largely to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, and to the annual cost-of-living adjustment for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is known as CalFresh in California. The California Department of Social Services has published detailed guidance explaining how the federal law is changing the program in the state.
CalFresh maximum benefits increase October 1
The annual cost-of-living adjustment took effect October 1, 2026, raising the maximum monthly CalFresh allotment for households in the 48 contiguous states, including California.
A one-person household now has a maximum monthly allotment of $306, up from $298, while the maximum for a four-person household increased from $994 to $1,023.
The increases apply to the maximum allotment, however, rather than providing every CalFresh recipient with a flat increase of the same amount. Actual benefits continue to depend on household size, income and allowable deductions.
The California Department of Social Services’ 2026 county notices identify the October 1 cost-of-living adjustment as one of the state’s annual CalFresh changes.
For households receiving less than the maximum amount, the change in the monthly deposit can therefore be smaller than the headline figures suggest.
Work requirements already affect more Californians
The financial adjustment is occurring alongside changes that can affect whether some people remain eligible for CalFresh.
California says the expanded federal work and community-engagement requirements took effect June 1, 2026. Under the new rules, certain adults between 18 and 64 who are able to work and do not have a dependent child under 14 must complete qualifying activities to continue receiving benefits beyond the applicable time limit.
Qualifying activities can include employment, volunteer or community service, job training, education and work programs. For people subject to the rule, the general requirement is an average of 20 hours per week, or 80 hours per month.
The change also affects some groups that previously had broader exemptions.
California specifically lists adults ages 55 through 64, parents whose youngest child is 14 or older, veterans and people experiencing homelessness among groups that may now be subject to the expanded requirements unless another exemption applies.
People who are pregnant, unable to work because of a qualifying health condition, caring for a sick or disabled person, or responsible for a dependent child under 14 are among those identified by the state as potentially exempt from the ABAWD requirement.
Some lawfully present immigrants lost eligibility
Another significant change involves immigration status.
According to the California Department of Social Services, federal changes that took effect April 1, 2026 removed CalFresh eligibility for several categories of lawfully present immigrants who had previously qualified.
The affected categories include certain refugees, asylees, parolees, people whose deportation or removal has been withheld, trafficking victims, battered noncitizens and certain individuals with special immigrant visas, among others.
For households already receiving CalFresh, California says the change is generally implemented at the household’s next recertification after April 1, 2026.
The change does not mean every immigrant household automatically loses CalFresh. Eligibility depends on the immigration category of the individual and the composition of the household.
California now faces a larger administrative bill
The federal law also changes how SNAP administrative costs are divided between the federal government and states.
Historically, the federal government reimbursed states for 50% of eligible SNAP administrative costs. Beginning with federal fiscal year 2027, the federal reimbursement falls to 25%, leaving states responsible for the remaining 75%.
For California, that means a substantially larger share of the cost of administering CalFresh must be covered with state resources.
The administrative change is separate from the food benefits themselves. The federal government continues to finance the underlying SNAP benefit structure, while the new cost-sharing provision increases the state’s responsibility for running the program.
That distinction is important because a larger state administrative obligation does not automatically mean that individual CalFresh recipients will see an equivalent reduction in their monthly food benefits.
A second financial shift is scheduled for 2028
The federal law also establishes a new state cost-sharing structure for SNAP benefits beginning in fiscal year 2028.
Under the law, states with payment error rates below 6% do not receive a new state share of benefit costs under the formula. States with error rates from 6% to below 8% face a 5% state share; rates from 8% to below 10% result in a 10% share; and rates of 10% or higher result in a 15% share.
That means the payment-error provision should not be described simply as a penalty that begins whenever a state exceeds 6%. Instead, the law creates a graduated state contribution tied to payment error rates beginning in fiscal year 2028.
The distinction could become important for California as state officials plan future CalFresh budgets.
Fresh fruit and vegetable incentives return
California is also restarting a separate benefit incentive program on October 1.
The California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project resumes after receiving additional funding through the state’s 2026 budget.
Under the program, eligible CalFresh recipients can receive a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $60 per month when purchasing qualifying fruits and vegetables at participating retailers and farmers’ markets.
The incentive is not available at every store. California says it can be earned only at approved participating locations, although once earned, the incentive benefits can be spent anywhere that accepts CalFresh EBT.
The program is currently operating as a pilot, and California says it will continue while funding remains available.
What the changes mean for CalFresh households
Taken together, the changes create a mixed picture for California recipients.
The annual cost-of-living adjustment raises the maximum monthly allotment, providing a modest increase at the top of the benefit scale. At the same time, expanded work requirements can place additional conditions on some adults who want to continue receiving benefits.
Immigration eligibility changes affect certain lawfully present noncitizens, while the administrative funding change shifts a greater share of program operating costs onto California.
The result is that the effect will vary substantially from household to household.
A person who remains eligible and is not subject to the expanded work requirements can receive the higher maximum allotment. Another household could face a different outcome because of income, household composition, work requirements or immigration eligibility.
What California officials are still monitoring
The precise number of Californians who could eventually lose or reduce their CalFresh benefits because of the combined federal changes remains difficult to establish from the available state guidance.
California has already begun implementing the new rules, but the effects will continue to develop as households reach recertification dates and counties apply the requirements to individual cases.
The CDSS CalFresh guidance directs recipients with questions about their individual cases to their county social services agency or to BenefitsCal.
What happens next
The October 1 changes mark another stage in the broader restructuring of CalFresh following the 2025 federal legislation.
For recipients, the most immediate change is the annual increase in maximum allotments. The more consequential changes for individual eligibility, however, may come from the expanded work requirements and revised immigration eligibility rules that are already being implemented.
For the state, the financial pressure will extend beyond October. California must now absorb a larger share of administrative costs, while the federal benefit cost-sharing provisions scheduled for 2028 create another potential budget consideration tied to payment error rates.
California households can check their individual case information through BenefitsCal, while the California Department of Social Services continues to publish updates on eligibility, work requirements and other CalFresh changes.
