Expanding CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients Beginning June 1, 2019

Assembly Bill 1811, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-2019 Human Services Omnibus Trailer Bill, reverses the CalFresh eligibility policy known as “cash-out” under which Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/ State Supplemental Payment (SSP) recipients are ineligible for CalFresh.  In addition, AB 1811 creates the SSI/SSP Cash-In Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) Program and the SSI/SSP Cash-In Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB) Program, and augments the grant amount for the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).

Beginning Summer of 2019, individuals receiving or authorized to receive SSI/SSP are eligible for CalFresh, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.  Additionally, at that time, current CalFresh households negatively affected by the policy change may be eligible for SNB and TNB Program benefits.

Over the next year, the CDSS, counties and stakeholders will be involved in an intensive implementation planning process, including policy, customer experience, and outreach plan development. CDSS will post implementation related meetings, webinars and materials, as well as regular implementation updates, to this webpage in an effort to provide all interested partners the latest information on progress made toward implementation.

Implementation Updates and Materials