Updated · Public Policy Institute of California · Aug 10
HR1 Expands CalFresh Work Rules in June 2026, Putting 64% of Affected Adults With Jobs at Risk
Updated
Updated · Public Policy Institute of California · Aug 10
HR1 Expands CalFresh Work Rules in June 2026, Putting 64% of Affected Adults With Jobs at Risk
2 articles · Updated · Public Policy Institute of California · Aug 10
Summary
June 2026 marks the start of broader HR1 work and community-engagement rules for working-age CalFresh adults, with noncompliant recipients limited to three months of benefits every three years.
64% of potentially affected adults have jobs around enrollment, but unstable work could still cost them aid: six in ten workers move between employment and unemployment while on CalFresh, and 86% have at least one jobless spell longer than three months.
Adults ages 55 to 64 account for 22% of those potentially affected and show weaker earnings and employment outcomes, making them a key group for exemptions, job-transition help and volunteer placements.
CFET training programs raise quarterly employment and earnings 18 months after participants start—especially work-experience tracks—but the programs remain small and underfunded.
The report says California is unlikely to improve employment or earnings through compliance alone, and will need to use existing state and local workforce, education and community programs because no new federal funding accompanies the expanded rules.