Federal CalFresh Changes Hit Bay Area Hard

Federal rule changes to CalFresh eligibility will impact thousands of Bay Area residents. - H.R.

1 expands work requirements for beneficiaries aged 54-64 and parents of children 14-18. - California's statewide exemption for the three-month time limit is removed; only counties with >10% unemployment qualify.

- Monterey County is the only Bay Area county retaining its exemption. - Changes take effect June 1, with impacts felt in October; 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers already lost benefits in April.

State and county governments are expected to bear the burden of providing food assistance, with $20 million earmarked to support counties.