Attention: The California Department of Health Care Services has begun sending text messages about 2027 Work and Community Engagement Requirements for Medi-Cal. This is a legitimate message. Starting January 2027, certain Medi-Cal recipients will be asked to prove they are working or volunteering during their renewal periods. SSA staff will review cases to determine exemptions. At this time, no action is required.
As a result of the state’s budget bill passed in June 2025 and the federal government’s H.R. 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in July 2025, changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility rules will take effect on various dates starting January 2026. The new rules will include additional eligibility requirements, reduced benefits or potential ineligibility for certain populations. Both current recipients and future applicants will be impacted by these changes. Effective dates are subject to change based on state and federal guidance.
Medi-Cal Changes per California Department of Health Care Services
CalFresh Changes per California Department of Social Services
CalFresh: Changes to Noncitizen CalFresh Eligibility
Starting April 1, 2026, certain categories of noncitizens previously eligible for CalFresh will no longer qualify. This includes asylees, refugees, parolees, battered noncitizens, trafficking victims, and individuals with deportation or removal withheld.
Clients in those groups will keep their benefits until their next annual renewal period. For example, someone whose annual renewal is scheduled for August will keep their benefits until then. Annual renewal periods are based on when a recipient applied for CalFresh.
For more information, click here.
CalFresh: Work Requirement Changes
Starting June 1, 2026, adults ages 18-64, who are considered able bodied and who are not caring for a child who is younger than 14 must prove they are:
working,
enrolled in an approved training program,
volunteering or
some combination of the above
for at least 20 hours per week (or 80 hours averaged monthly) to get or keep CalFresh benefits.
Those who do not meet the work requirements may still be eligible for three months of CalFresh benefits within a 36-month timeframe.
For more information, click here.
Medi-Cal: 2027 Work and Community Engagement Requirements
Starting January 2027, certain Medi-Cal recipients will be asked to prove they are working or volunteering during their renewal periods. The California Department of Health Care Services has begun sending text messages to alert Medi-Cal recipients about these requirements.
For more information, click here.
Medi-Cal: Reinstated Asset Limits
Effective January 1, 2026, adults 65 and older, people with disabilities, and those who are in a family that exceeds income limits under federal tax rules will need to meet asset requirements to receive Medi-Cal. Countable assets include bank accounts, cash and properties such as more than one house or vehicle.
Medi-Cal: Full-Scope Enrollment Freeze
Effective January 1, 2026, adults 19 or older, not pregnant and undocumented or without satisfactory immigration status, will no longer qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage if they apply for benefits on or after January 1, 2026. They may only qualify for restricted Medi-Cal which covers emergency, pregnancy-related and nursing home care.
This rule applies to new enrollments only; individuals who already have full-scope Medi-Cal will not lose their coverage but must fill out their renewal form on time to keep their benefits. New applicants affected by this change may still apply for full-scope benefits through December 31, 2025.