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Bill would fund a state bridge for Californians cut from CalFresh under new federal work rules
Summary
AB 2299 would create a state program (CFAP Plus) to provide food assistance to people cut from CalFresh by recent federal rule changes; advocates said hundreds of thousands of Californians are at risk of losing benefits and urged the Legislature to fund the program.
Assemblymember Calderon's proposal, AB 2299, was presented to the Human Services subcommittee as a response to federal changes that impose time limits on able‑bodied adults without dependents and otherwise reduce SNAP access for some immigrant groups. Presenters said state officials estimate more than 700,000 Californians could lose CalFresh because of new federal rules.
Keelie O’Brien of the Western Center on Law and Poverty described the consequences in stark terms: researchers estimate thousands of avoidable deaths and deepened hardship absent a state bridge. "CalFresh cuts will fall disproportionately on veterans, refugees, older adults and people experiencing homelessness," O’Brien said, and advocates urged the Legislature to fund CFAP Plus as a stopgap.
Supporters — including food‑bank networks, academic advocates and community groups — urged the committee to pass the measure and to secure funding. Committee members agreed the timing was urgent and moved AB 2299 to Appropriations for fiscal consideration; the authors noted a prior $5 million placeholder for program establishment had been discussed in budget negotiations but not yet finalized.
