Bill > SB1201

This bill aims to improve CalFresh (California's food assistance program, which is the state's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) eligibility for veterans by requiring the State Department of Social Services to request waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specifically, by April 1, 2027, the department must seek a waiver to exclude costs veterans incur while searching for jobs from being counted as income when determining their eligibility and benefit amount for CalFresh. Additionally, the bill seeks waivers to exempt certain veterans from CalFresh's time limits and work requirements, including those discharged within the last year, veterans with children, veterans with pending disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and homeless veterans. These waivers, if approved, must be implemented within six months. The bill also modifies existing law to ensure that veterans applying for CalFresh, regardless of whether they are exempt from mandatory participation in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, receive referrals to veterans' assistance and job training agencies. The CalFresh E&T program is designed to help CalFresh recipients gain work experience or training. The bill acknowledges that if these changes create new costs for local governments, the state will reimburse them as required by law.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1201