Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez has introduced Assembly Bill 1049 to tackle food insecurity in California. This bill aims to simplify the application process for the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) by removing a complicated rule known as sponsor deeming. Currently, this rule uses an immigrant’s sponsor’s financial information to decide eligibility for food benefits, leading to confusion and discouraging many immigrants from applying.
By eliminating sponsor deeming, AB 1049 seeks to provide easier access to food assistance for immigrant families in need. Many low-income immigrant households worry about the repercussions of seeking food benefits, making them hesitant to apply. If the bill passes, it will streamline the eligibility process, ultimately strengthening the food safety net in California.
AB 1049 is part of the Food4All campaign, which advocates for food assistance for everyone, regardless of immigration status. Currently, CFAP offers state-funded food benefits to some non-citizens who can’t access federal CalFresh benefits, but the federal rule limits this access.
The Food4All campaign, co-led by Nourish California and the California Immigrant Policy Center, began in 2021. They aim to ensure that immigration status doesn’t exclude anyone from receiving food assistance. Alongside the push for AB 1049, advocates are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and the legislature to extend CFAP benefits to immigrants aged 55 and older by October 2027 and to include all Californians in food assistance programs.
The governor’s proposed budget for 2025-26 supports the expansion of food benefits for Californians aged 55 and older, regardless of immigration status. However, many low-income residents aged 0-54 will still miss out on essential resources without further action.
In response to AB 1049, advocates from the Food4All campaign have shared their thoughts:
Jackie Mendelson from Nourish California said that “Food4All means everyone should have access to the food they need. Removing sponsor deeming from CFAP will help families get the help they need without extra barriers.”
Benyamin Chao with the California Immigrant Policy Center emphasized that the bill is a significant step toward improving food access for all Californians, highlighting the unnecessary hurdles caused by the federal rule.
Assemblywoman Rodriguez pointed out the various challenges immigrant households face, like language barriers and fears about their immigration status that discourage enrollment in programs like CFAP. She believes removing sponsor deeming will help more eligible families access the food assistance they need.
Lena Silver from Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County added that immigrant households often feel overwhelmed by the enrollment process. By simplifying it, more families can obtain vital nutritional support.
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