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Subcommittee reviews CFAP expansion trigger, Sunbucks operations and CalFresh technical updates
Summary
The panel reviewed a proposed spring-2027 trigger for expanding the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to all adults 55+, operations funding to continue the Sunbucks (formerly Summer EBT) helpline and CalFresh technical automation and standard-utility-allowance changes.
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 considered a set of CalFresh and food-assistance items in the May Revision, including a proposed trigger for the scheduled expansion of the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP), continuing support for the Sunbucks (formerly known as Summer EBT) program and several CalSAWS automation updates.
CFAP expansion and trigger
The expansion of CFAP under current law is slated to take effect Oct. 1, 2027, extending eligibility to all Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status. The May Revision proposes that the Department of Finance make a spring 2027 determination about whether general fund is available to proceed with the statutory expansion. Department of Social Services witnesses said automation and outreach work is already underway and that automation tasks will resume in January 2026.
Sunbucks and operational items
Alexis Fernandez Garcia of CDSS described the Sunbucks funding request for ongoing operations, helpline staffing and benefit‑issuance activities and asked for four positions (three funded, one position authority) to strengthen call intake and escalation resolution. The department said an increase in client inquiries and escalations after initial Sunbucks implementation created an administrative workload that CDSS must staff to resolve eligibility and issuance questions.
CalFresh technical and compliance changes
Other May Revision items included modest automation funding to auto‑populate income fields in CalSAWS, an update to the CalFresh standard utility allowance methodology to comply with a 2024 federal rule (the administration said the change is expected to increase benefits), and a technical authority to move federal funds into the CalFresh Employment and Training workers' compensation fund as required by federal statute. The May Revision proposes to reappropriate $38 million previously allocated for CFAP automation and outreach so funds remain available through June 2029.
Analyst concerns and timing
LAO staff raised concerns similar to those expressed about other items: a trigger that defers a legislative funding decision to the Department of Finance creates uncertainty when automation work is already underway. Committee members asked how available federal funds and prior appropriations are being used and sought clearer timelines for the CFAP automation and the Sunbucks evaluation and operations.
