THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- CalFresh recipients are seeing several changes to the food assistance program, including a small increase in maximum monthly benefits and stricter eligibility rules for some households.

Beginning Oct. 1, the maximum monthly benefit for one person increased from $298 to $306. For a family of four, the maximum increased from $994 to $1,023.

At the same time, work requirements have expanded in Riverside County to cover more adults ages 18 to 64. The changes began June 1 and include fewer exemptions. People who are subject to the requirements and do not meet them or qualify for an exemption can face a three-month limit on CalFresh benefits.

FIND Regional Food Bank Interim President and CEO Lorena Marroquin says the organization is already seeing more demand.

“Currently, we’ve seen an uptick of residents being served in our area, about 20%. We anticipate that that need will increase during the coming months.”

Marroquin says many of the people turning to FIND are already working.

“A lot of the neighbors we serve have, you know, one to two full-time jobs. So having this type of change to their already existing food income or budget is really going to impact those that we serve.”

Nationwide, SNAP participation fell by more than 5 million people, or nearly 13%, between July 2025 and June 2026, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities using USDA and state data.

Marroquin says changes to CalFresh and Medi-Cal could affect more than 380,000 Riverside County residents, according to a county collaborative FIND works with. She stressed that does not mean all of those residents will lose benefits.

“There is a fear. There’s misinformation about if they qualify for benefits or if their benefits are going to be reduced.”

FIND says it is preparing its mobile markets and partner agencies for the possibility of more people seeking food assistance.

“When grocery benefits shrink, the need for food doesn’t.”

People with questions about their CalFresh benefits are encouraged to contact Riverside County Department of Public Social Services before assuming their benefits have changed.

দ্বারা Kiera McKinney

October 1, 2026 5:23 PM