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San Diego County feels the squeeze
Starting April 1, 2026, new federal rules mean some San Diego County residents may lose CalFresh or face added steps to keep it. Local officials and nonprofits say the risk is highest for people who miss notices, don’t update information on time, or fall into groups whose eligibility has changed.
For others, the biggest hurdle is meeting the 80-hour monthly requirement through work, training, or qualifying volunteer activity when they are subject to the work rule. On paper, it sounds simple, but in real life, it can be tough for people with unstable hours, health limits, or transportation gaps.
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Why CalFresh matters in San Diego
CalFresh is California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known nationwide as SNAP. It helps low-income households buy groceries, freeing up money for rent, utilities, medicine, and gas in a very expensive region.
In San Diego County, that support is not a small side program. It is part of the basic safety net that helps many residents keep food in the house while juggling the high cost of everyday life.
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SNAP pressure is already showing
The warning signs were there even before the April 1, 2026 CalFresh changes, when some households started getting notices and trying to figure out what the new rules would mean for their grocery budgets…