October is also the first month that some California residents are losing Cal Fresh benefits, as new federal work requirements officially went into effect. Recipients 18 to 64 years old who are not disabled and don’t have a dependent child under 14, instead of 18, must now meet the requirement of working or volunteering for 80 hours a month, or 20 hours a week. But in Nevada County, Social Services Director Rachel Pena, says, so far very few have been dropped, or just three for this month, out of over 16-thousand on the roll. She credits good outreach efforts from staff to make sure recipients understand the changes…

But Pena also points out that you now have to turn in that paperwork every six months instead of once a year. And she also says fewer people are exempt…

Other exemptions from work requirements still include pregnancy, physical or mental health conditions, participation in a substance-use disorder treatment program or another qualifying work program, caregiving responsibilities, and attending school at least half-time. And Pena also notes that these requirements will also impact Medi-Cal recipients, starting in January.