New CalFresh & Medi-Cal Rules Start Soon

March 20, 2026

San Diego County is notifying residents about upcoming federal and state policy changes affecting CalFresh food assistance and Medi-Cal health coverage programs, with the first modifications beginning April 1. While most current beneficiaries will continue qualifying for their benefits, county officials are strongly encouraging all recipients to update their contact information through the BenefitsCal online portal to ensure they receive important communications about eligibility confirmation requirements. The county is distributing information about these changes through multiple channels, including text messages, digital platforms, in-person outreach, and postal mail.

Who is affected

Approximately 400,000 San Diego County residents who receive CalFresh benefits
More than 800,000 San Diego County residents enrolled in Medi-Cal
Current CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefit recipients whose renewals are upcoming

What action is being taken

The County is sending text messages to CalFresh customers with information about upcoming changes and resources
The County is sharing information about changes through digital channels, in-person outreach, and mail
The County is urging recipients to update their contact information through the BenefitsCal portal

Why it matters

These policy changes are significant because they affect nearly 1.2 million San Diego County residents who depend on CalFresh food assistance and Medi-Cal health coverage for essential needs. Ensuring recipients maintain updated contact information is critical so they can receive notifications about eligibility requirements and take necessary steps to continue receiving benefits they rely on for food security and healthcare access.

What's next

Policy changes will begin rolling out starting April 1
Changes will apply to current customers at their next renewal period
Recipients should visit the County's website for details on all CalFresh and Medi-Cal changes
Food, medical, and employment resources are available at https://211sandiego.org/food-and-health-access

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint