Impact of New Administration Changes to Critical Food and Health Benefits

What Is HR1?

H.R.1 — officially known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) — is federal legislation passed by Congress in July 2025. It reshapes who qualifies for federal food assistance and healthcare insurance, and how often recipients must prove that eligibility.

You may know these programs by their California names: SNAP is CalFresh (formerly "food stamps"), Medicaid is MediCal, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace is Covered California.

"Informed, proactive actions can help households keep the critical benefits they depend on."

The Six Big Changes

1. Noncitizen eligibility significantly limited

Many noncitizens who previously qualified for CalFresh and MediCal will no longer be eligible under the new rules.

2. New 80-hour/month work requirement

Adults receiving CalFresh or MediCal must now document 80 hours per month of work or qualifying community engagement.

3. Fewer exemptions from requirements

The list of who is exempt has shrunk substantially. Notably, experiencing homelessness is no longer an exemption from eligibility requirements.

4. Recertification now every 6 months

Instead of annual renewals, recipients must recertify eligibility twice per year — doubling the administrative burden on households and caseworkers.

5. Benefit award amounts decreased

Calculation methods for CalFresh and MediCal benefits have changed for certain populations, resulting in lower monthly awards.

6. More restrictive health care coverage

Timing rules for when health coverage begins are tighter, and copayment charges have increased for many recipients.

Why This Matters — and Why It's Urgent

⚠ Time-Sensitive

If a recipient is found to be out of compliance and does not remedy the issue within 30 days, they will lose their benefits — and face significant barriers to getting them reinstated. Finding and documenting 80 hours/month of qualifying work within a 30-day window is an extraordinarily difficult task for many vulnerable households.

Many current recipients aren't yet aware these changes are coming — or already in effect. Without proactive outreach, families could suddenly lose the food assistance and health coverage they rely on, with little warning and a very short window to respond.

Watch the replay our Benefits Unpacked Info Session on March 23rd, facilitated by Benefits Access for Immigrants Los Angeles (BAILA Network) to learn more about what impact H.R. 1 changes will have on Benefits access.