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State analysts flag surprisingly lower CalFresh caseload; administration proposes one‑time funds to help counties implement ABOD time limit and to bolster food‑
Summary
The May Revision projects declines in CalFresh and CFAP caseloads and proposes a one‑time $30M augmentation for county administration tied to ABOD time‑limit readiness and a $30M CalFood boost for food banks; counties warn base admin cuts still leave gaps.
State officials told the Senate subcommittee that updated data show CalFresh household enrollment has fallen to roughly 3 million households (a 6.3% decline) and CFAP enrollment to about 46,000 (down 16.2%). The Department of Social Services (CDSS) said the May Revision reflects the most recent six months of data and flagged possible drivers including chilling effects tied to federal policy uncertainty.
To prepare counties for the new ABOD (Able‑Bodied Adults Without Dependents) time‑limit screening and implementation required under federal HR1, CDSS proposed a one‑time $62 million augmentation (about $30M GF in 2026‑27) for county administrative workload in the first year of implementation; LAO recommended temporary, targeted funding because the underlying caseload reduction already reduces base admin funding.
Separately the May Revision asks for $30M (one‑time, GF) to augment the CalFood program — which supports food banks to purchase California‑grown commodities — bringing the budget year allocation to $38M. Food bank and anti‑hunger groups testified that need remains higher and urged larger, ongoing investments and automation work to enable CFAP+ expansion and enrollment outreach.
County officials cautioned that sudden changes to caseload‑driven admin funding can be disruptive, and LAO urged temporary augmentations tied to measurable readiness outcomes. CDSS said it will continue outreach, data matching and county assistance to reduce unnecessary loss of benefits and to identify exempt individuals.
