Recent federal changes under H.R. 1 have expanded work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh recipients, affecting an estimated 3.5 million Californians. To maintain eligibility, many adults will now need to verify at least 20 hours of work per week for CalFresh and, beginning in 2027, 80 hours per month for Medi-Cal.
California currently faces a significant challenge in meeting these new requirements because the state’s wage data system does not capture hours worked. Without accurate and accessible data, eligible Californians could face unnecessary barriers when verifying compliance with federal rules.
To address this issue, Senator Christopher Cabaldon has introduced SB 1054, co-sponsored by the California EDGE Coalition, California Competes, and UNITE-LA. The bill would modernize California’s workforce data infrastructure by incorporating hours-worked information into the state’s wage records, helping streamline eligibility verification while reducing administrative burdens for workers, employers, and state agencies.
Beyond supporting benefits administration, SB 1054 would strengthen California’s workforce data systems, improve cross-agency coordination, and provide policymakers with better information to evaluate workforce programs and outcomes.
To learn more about SB 1054 and its potential impact on California’s workforce and social safety net systems, read EDGE’s one-page summary here.