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Beginning June 1, 2026, California is implementing new CalFresh work or community engagement rules for some food assistance recipients. These changes stem from H.R. 1, sometimes referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025.
The new rules do not apply to everyone receiving CalFresh. Many people with disabilities, caregivers, and others qualify for exemptions. Understanding whether you are exempt is important because complying with work requirements can involve ongoing reporting obligations and paperwork that may be difficult to maintain over time.
Most People with Disabilities Should Be Exempt
If you receive disability benefits, you should generally be automatically exempt from the new work or community engagement requirement rules.
This includes many individuals who receive services through California’s regional center system. The California Department of Social Services has indicated that recipients of disability benefits should be identified as exempt without having to take additional action.
If you receive a notice requiring you to meet work or community engagement requirements and believe you should be exempt because of a disability, contact your county immediately.
Caregivers May Also Qualify for an Exemption
Federal law includes exemptions for many individuals who provide care to a person with a disability, an older adult, or someone who is ill or injured.
Unlike some disability-related exemptions, caregivers may need to inform the county of their caregiving responsibilities or provide information to establish their exemption. If you are a caregiver and receive a notice about work or community engagement requirements, review your situation carefully and contact your county office immediately, and let them know that you believe you qualify for an exemption.
Why Exemptions Matter
If you qualify for an exemption, it is generally advisable to claim it.
Individuals who are subject to work or community engagement requirements must regularly document and report qualifying, education, training, volunteer activities, or other approved activities. Keeping track of hours and reporting them consistently can be burdensome and increases the risk of losing food assistance because of paperwork errors, missed deadlines, or reporting issues.
If you qualify for an exemption, you may be able to avoid these ongoing reporting requirements altogether.
When Will You Receive a Notice?
Some CalFresh recipients may begin receiving notices after June 1, 2026. Others may not receive information about the new requirements until their next annual redetermination or case review, others that are automatically exempt may never receive a notice and do not need to take any action.
If you receive a notice, review the notice carefully and determine whether you qualify for an exemption and respond immediately. Generally notice recipients will have a short timeframe to respond, in many cases 30 days.
Learn More About Exemptions
The Arc of California previously published a detailed overview of the new CalFresh work or community engagement rules, including a discussion of available exemptions: https://thearcca.org/new-calfresh-work-or-community-engagement-rules/
Need Help Determining Whether You Are Exempt?
The California Department of Social Services has created a screening tool to help individuals understand whether they may be subject to work or community engagement requirements and identify potential exemptions.
CalFresh Work Requirement Screening Tool: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CalFreshWork
Resources and Assistance
If you have questions about your notice, need help understanding an exemption, or are looking for services that can help you comply with work and community engagement rules, the following resources may be helpful.
Contact Your County First
Your county welfare department is the best source of information about your specific case, exemptions, reporting requirements, and notices.
County Office Locator: https://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/officelocator/
Legal Assistance
Disability Rights California provides advocacy and legal assistance for Californians with disabilities: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org
LawHelpCA
Find free and low-cost legal services by county and legal issue: https://www.lawhelpca.org
Food Assistance
California Association of Food Banks
Find your local food bank: https://www.cafoodbanks.org
211 California
Connects individuals with local food, housing, health care, and social services. Call 211 or visit the website to find resources in your community: https://www.211california.org
Health and Disability Supports
Independent Living Centers provide peer support, benefits counseling, advocacy, and assistance navigating disability-related services: https://calsilc.ca.gov
Community Health Centers and Mental Health Services
Some people may need documentation from a medical professional to establish that they have a disability and qualify for CalFresh work or community engagement rules exemptions.
If you need access to healthcare services, you can find a nearby community health center through the federal Health Center Locator. Federally Qualified Health Centers provide primary care services regardless of a person’s ability to pay and may be able to assist with obtaining necessary medical documentation: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
If a mental health condition affects your ability to work or participate in required activities, you can also contact your county behavioral health department to learn about available services, evaluations, and supports that may help establish eligibility for an exemption from CalFresh work or community engagement rules.
Employment and Training Resources
For those who are not exempt from work requirements or community engagement rules, and need to comply with the new work rules, America’s Job Center of California provides job search assistance, training opportunities, career counseling, and employment services.
https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training
California Community Colleges
For those who are not exempt from work requirements or community engagement rules, many colleges offer workforce training, career education programs, and short-term certificate programs that may help satisfy the new CalFresh community engagement rules.
https://www.cccco.edu/Students/Find-a-College
The Arc of California’s Advocacy
The Arc of California worked closely with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and disability advocacy partners to help ensure that disability-related exemptions were interpreted as broadly as permitted under federal law. We also worked with the Department to encourage the use of plain language so that notices, guidance, and public materials are easier for Californians to understand.
If you receive a notice, do not assume work and community engagement rules apply to you. Review the available exemptions, contact your county if you have questions, seek assistance if needed and respond to the county notice quickly. Many people with disabilities and caregivers will qualify for an exemption but the county will need you to provide that information if requested.