Solano County sees first wave of CalFresh cancellations due to new federal work requirements

VALLEJO – Hundreds of Solano County residents no longer qualify for food assistance benefits this month and hundreds more are expected to lose their benefits each month due to work requirements that are now in effect as a result of federal spending cuts. 

Solano County Health and Social Services Deputy Director Alicia Jones said that the county has been working with partner agencies and community organizations to inform residents and help them maintain their benefits.

“Unfortunately, there are some of our clients who do not contact us until their benefits do not show up,” Jones said. “The most vulnerable people are probably our unhoused population, who may not have a working phone or don’t have a physical address where they can easily receive mail.”

The requirements were part of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” or H.R. 1, which was enacted in July 2025 and introduced new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The bill reduced the ability of states to waive SNAP’s time limits and work requirements in counties with fewer employment opportunities.

For decades the federal program has limited the benefits that able-bodied adults without dependents can receive without working a minimum of 20 hours a week. However, counties with insufficient employment opportunities could waive those requirements.

The new federal program rules eliminated most of the waivers and widened the work requirements from those who are 18 to 54 years old to those who are 18 to 64. 

The new rules also require parents of children 14 and older to fulfill the work requirements. Previously, parents with dependents under 18 were exempt.

September was the first month that CalFresh recipients could have their benefits discontinued for not meeting the work requirements. Only five Solano County residents lost their benefits that month, but in October, 271 more people lost benefits, according to Jones. The county estimates that 458 people could lose their benefits in November followed by another 341 people in December. 

The department’s website provides a list of organizations that offer volunteer and employment opportunities as well as employment services for those that need to fulfill the work requirements. 

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has been helping residents sign up for or renew benefits over the phone and in person by tabling at supermarkets, farmers markets, colleges and at partner food banks in both Contra Costa and Solano counties.

Food Bank lead CalFresh Outreach Coordinator Jonathan Ho said that one of his roles is to address any problems that come up during the CalFresh application and recertification processes. 

“We are seeing more people call in with questions about their benefits,” Ho said. “People are getting letters in the mail about countable months,” he added, referring to the notices that the county sends to benefits recipients about the number of months that they can receive benefits without fulfilling the work requirements.

Under the previous rules, veterans and unhoused residents were exempt from the work requirements for CalFresh benefits but now both groups need to meet additional criteria, such as physical or mental issues that affect their ability to work in order to qualify for an exemption.

Ho said that sometimes he is able to find exemptions for residents that he works with but it can be particularly frustrating when no options are available.

“I had a gentleman who is 63 and retired, now with the work requirements, he has to go back to work or volunteer,” Ho said. “But not only that, he has to find part-time work where he does not make a lot of money because his benefits will be reduced if he earns too much.”

The maximum monthly CalFresh benefit amount for a single individual is $306 while those near the top of the income range receive $25 per month. 

Ho said that he speaks with people that are struggling to find work in Solano County every day.

“We just recently applied for somebody that was formerly incarcerated––they could only get CalFresh Benefits for three months,” Ho said. “People need to get an ID, they need to get a social security card and then they need to find a job and get hired. Three months of CalFresh is not a realistic timeline to support them through that process.”

Food Bank spokesperson Jeremy Crittenden said that the organization has been preparing for an influx of those seeking food support due to the eligibility changes. “We have started buying more food and we are looking for more ways to source food through our food recovery programs,” he said.  

Both Ho and Jones said that the new work requirements have significantly increased the administrative work that is necessary to help people access and maintain benefits. 

Jones said that county navigators now have to spend additional time calling to notify people that their benefits are slated to be discontinued and that normal intake calls take 10-15 minutes longer to explain the new eligibility requirements. 

But Jones said that the worst impacts fall on community members in need. “Especially now with food being so expensive, it is going to pose a hardship and it is a devastating reality for our community,” Jones said. “I am of the opinion that it should not be this hard to feed your family.”

In addition to the work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, federal program cuts have also affected the eligibility for certain immigrant groups. As of April 1, lawfully present immigrants such as asylees, refugees, victims of trafficking, parolees and other groups are no longer eligible for CalFresh. 

Similar work requirements will go into effect for Medi-Cal on Jan. 1.