Public Benefits Changes Are Underway

New state and federal rules are impacting recipients of public benefits

To keep your CalFresh or Medi-Cal:

  • Look for official SFHSA renewal notices and follow the instructions. 
  • Keep your contact information updated, stay informed, and open mail promptly. 
  • Complete required steps and submit any requested documents.

For updates: Please check this webpage often for more details from the state on how and when these changes will take place.

We encourage everyone to apply now for the benefits they need by visiting our Medi-Cal and CalFresh (food stamps) webpages or calling (415) 557-5000. 

Visit Our Services page to apply for other benefits. 

Starting January 1, 2027 

  • New work/school/community service rules: Adults ages 19-64 who do not meet an exemption, will need to work, attend school, or do community service to keep their Medi-Cal. Some exemptions include caring for a child age 13 or younger, having a serious medical condition, and pregnancy.  
  • Less time for applicants to get help paying old medical bills: Medi-Cal will only pay for one month of past bills for adults ages 19-64 who don’t have children 18 or younger. Medi-Cal will pay up to two months of past bills for all others. 
  • Changes to how care is paid for: Some recipients will now need to choose their own doctor or hospital that accepts Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal; a health plan will no longer assign one. This does not mean recipients pay, Medi-Cal still pays for their care. This change applies to people who are undocumented, some green card holders, and people considered Permanently Residing in the U.S. Under Color of Law (PRUCOL). 

Starting March 1, 2027 

  • Renewal required every six months for most adults: Most adults ages 19-64 without disabilities or children 18 or younger will need to renew their Medi-Cal twice a year instead of once.

Starting July 1, 2027  

  • Monthly premium required for some non-citizens: Some non-citizen recipients ages 19–59 will begin paying a $30 monthly premium per person on the Medi-Cal case. This applies to lawful permanent residents (LPR) subject to the 5-year waiting period, undocumented individuals, those with a temporary immigration status, among others. 
  • Dental benefits end for some non-citizens adults: Full Medi-Cal coverage recipients age 19 and older who are LPR subject to the 5-year waiting period, undocumented, claiming PRUCOL, those with temporary immigration status, and others will lose dental benefits.  
  • Limited immigrant eligibility: Federal funding ends for people without Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR, or green card) status. Affected groups include refugees, asylees, human trafficking victims and other noncitizens that were previously eligible. These immigrants will transition to Restricted Medi-Cal in July 2027.
  • Asset limits return: $21,000 for individuals;​ $31,000 for couples​; $1,500 for each additional household member.

Apply for full Medi-Cal to get the healthcare you need in one of these ways: 

For more information  

See the state's updates on all upcoming changes to Medi-Cal and exemptions. 

Starting June 1, 2026

  • Work/school/community service rules: Most adults ages 18-64 who do not live with a child younger than age 14, are able to work, and don’t meet any of the exemption criteria will be required to work, volunteer or do community service, employment training, or participate in Workfare arranged by SFHSA. 

    People who are not exempt and do not meet the requirements will lose benefits after three months during a three-year period.  

    Learn more here. 

Starting April 1, 2026 

  • Immigration status eligibility changes: People with certain immigration statuses no longer qualify for CalFresh benefits. Affected groups include refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, human trafficking survivors, and survivors of domestic violence.  

  Eligibility will be limited to: 

  • U.S. Citizens
  • Noncitizen U.S. Nationals
  • Lawful Permanent Residents
  • Cuban or Haitian entrants
  • Individuals who reside in the U.S. in accordance with the Compact of Free Association agreement. 

SFHSA takes your privacy very seriously. We use client personal information only to determine their eligibility for benefits. 

By law, our agency is required to share information with the State of California, which, in turn, is required to share demographic information with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Clients should also be aware that disenrolling from benefits will not retroactively remove their personal information from the state-run database.

Did you find what you were looking for?