CalFresh NonCitizen Eligibility

Recent federal law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump newly limits CalFresh to certain groups of lawfully present noncitizens. However, many individuals remain eligible for CalFresh, including household members with U.S. citizenship and some qualifying immigration statuses.

You may still be eligible for CalFresh if you are a person who is:

• A Citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• A U.S. National (such as persons born in American Samoa or Swains Island)
• A Cuban and Haitian Entrant (CHE)
• A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) who has met the 5-year waiting period or is exempt from the waiting period
• A Citizen of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau Starting April 1, 2026, you will no longer be eligible for CalFresh and will be denied benefits at application or at recertification if you are a person who is
• An Asylee
• A Refugee
• A Parolee (unless you are a CHE)
• An individual with deportation or removal withheld
• A Conditional Entrant
• A Survivor of Trafficking
• A Battered Noncitizen
• An Iraqi or Afghan with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)
• A certain Afghan National granted parole between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023
• A certain Ukrainian National granted parole between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2024 

A county worker will check to see if you can keep getting CalFresh at your next recertification.