A new California bill aims to protect Medi-Cal and CalFresh recipients from losing benefits due to stricter federal work requirements and paperwork burdens. Senator Christopher Cabaldon's SB 1054 would use existing state data to automatically verify work hours, reducing administrative hurdles.
Key facts: The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act requires 80 hours/month of work, education, or volunteering for aid eligibility. Recipients must reapply every six months, doubling the previous frequency.
California could lose 1-2 million Medi-Cal and 660,000 CalFresh recipients. SB 1054 would have employers report hours to the EDD, enabling automatic verification.
The bill has bipartisan support and no known opposition, and would take effect January 1, 2027.