If you or someone you care about is an immigrant living in California, you may have heard alarming news: thousands of people are losing access to CalFresh — the state's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — this week. This is a deeply stressful situation, and it's completely understandable to feel confused or frightened about what comes next. This article breaks down what is happening, who may be affected, and where you might turn for help.

What Is Happening With CalFresh and Immigrants in California?

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits to low-income individuals and families across California. For years, California has been one of the few states that used state funding to extend food assistance to certain immigrants who are not eligible for federally funded SNAP benefits — including some undocumented individuals and immigrants in their first five years of legal residency.

However, recent budget pressures and policy changes have led to the loss of food benefits for tens of thousands of immigrants in the state. This affects people whose CalFresh eligibility was based on state-funded programs rather than the federal program. If you fall into this group, you may have received — or may soon receive — a notice saying your benefits are ending.

This is not a situation where anything is necessarily wrong with your case or your application. It reflects a broader policy shift that is cutting off assistance for an entire category of recipients at once.

Who Is Most Likely to Be Affected?

The changes primarily impact immigrants who were receiving CalFresh through California's state-funded food assistance program rather than the federally funded SNAP program. This includes:

  • Certain undocumented immigrants who had been receiving state-funded CalFresh benefits
  • Some lawfully present immigrants who have not yet completed the five-year waiting period required for federally funded SNAP
  • Immigrants in specific visa categories that do not qualify for federal food assistance

Not every immigrant receiving CalFresh will be cut off. Whether your benefits continue depends on your specific immigration status and how your CalFresh case is categorized. If you are unsure whether you are affected, contact your local county social services office or a local immigrant services organization as soon as possible.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Termination Notice?

Receiving a notice that your benefits are ending can feel overwhelming. Here are some steps you may want to consider:

Read the notice carefully. The letter should explain why your benefits are being stopped and give you a deadline to respond. Do not ignore it, even if you disagree with the decision.

Request a fair hearing. If you believe the decision to end your benefits is wrong, you have the right to appeal. In California, you can request a fair hearing with the California Department of Social Services. If you request a hearing before your benefits end, you may be able to continue receiving benefits while the appeal is reviewed — this is called aid paid pending. The deadline to request a hearing is usually listed on your notice, so act quickly.

Contact a legal aid organization. Many nonprofit legal aid groups in California offer free assistance to immigrants facing benefit cuts. They can help you understand your options, prepare for a hearing, and connect you with other resources. Organizations like the California Immigrant Policy Center, local legal aid societies, and immigrant rights groups may be able to help.

Apply for other programs. Even if your CalFresh benefits are ending, you and your family may still qualify for other forms of food and financial assistance (see below).

Other Food Resources That May Be Available

Losing CalFresh is a serious blow, but it does not mean you have no other options. A number of programs and resources may be available to you, depending on where you live and your household situation:

Food banks and pantries. Food banks and community food pantries do not check immigration status in most cases. Feeding America's network of food banks operates across California, and many local churches, community centers, and nonprofits run pantries that are open to everyone.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). If you have young children, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you may qualify for WIC, which provides food benefits, nutrition support, and other assistance. Some immigrant families may qualify for WIC even if they do not qualify for CalFresh.

School meal programs. Children enrolled in school may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals regardless of their immigration status or their parents' status.

Local county assistance programs. Some California counties have their own locally funded emergency food or financial assistance programs. Check with your county's social services office to find out what may be available where you live.

Community organizations. Many immigrant-serving organizations maintain food pantries, emergency funds, and other resources specifically for community members who do not qualify for government programs.

A Note on Privacy and Safety

Many immigrants are worried about what applying for benefits or seeking help might mean for their immigration case. While these are valid concerns that vary depending on individual circumstances, food banks and many nonprofit organizations do not report information to immigration authorities. If you have specific concerns about how seeking assistance might affect your case, speaking with an immigration attorney or accredited representative may help you make an informed decision.

You Are Not Alone

This is a difficult moment for many families in California. Losing food assistance when you are already struggling is painful, and the uncertainty about what comes next makes it even harder. But help is out there — from community organizations, food banks, legal aid groups, and neighbors who want to support one another through hard times. Reach out, ask questions, and do not give up on finding the help your family needs.

Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.