CalFresh Update 2026-09: Undergraduate Degrees Added to Local Programs that Increase Employability (LPIE)

CalFresh Handbook

Date References Clerical Implementation
05/29/26 ACL 26-25 N/A 06/01/26

Background

In order to participate in CalFresh, a student must meet at least one CalFresh student exemption at application or recertification. Once an exemption is established, it will apply through the certification period. Local Programs that Increase Employability (LPIE) are approved employment and training programs operated by a state or local government. Students participating in an LPIE are exempt from the student eligibility rules. When a student claims the LPIE exemption, Social Services Benefits Specialists (SSBSs) must verify the program is on the approved LPIE list.

Changes

Effective June 1, 2026, all undergraduate degree programs, including associate and bachelor’s degree programs offered at the California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) campuses, meet the LPIE criteria under General Programs. Students qualify for the LPIE exemption if they are:

  • Attending a CCC, CSU, or UC half time or more, and

  • Enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program in any major.

This includes associate degrees for transfer and students that have not declared a major but are enrolled in the general education courses required to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree.

SSBSs are no longer required to confirm that an associate or bachelor’s degree at a public institution of higher education appears on the List of Approved LPIEs to grant the exemption. A client’s verbal or written statement that a student is enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program at a public institution of higher education is acceptable verification, unless questionable. Except for General Programs, all other campus-based programs must be verified on the List of Approved LPIEs to grant the exemption.

Revised Topics

The following CalFresh handbook topics have been revised:

  1. Student Eligibility Exemptions
  2. Verification of Exemption

Verification

A client’s statement that a student meets an exemption, whether on the application, during the interview, at periodic reporting, recertification, or any time during the certification period, is acceptable verification unless the information is questionable. 

Implementation

The new process must be applied to all initial applications and recertifications beginning June 1, 2026. For recertifications, the new process will apply to households with a recertification due in June 2026 with an effective date of July 1, 2026, and onward.

Voluntary mid-period reports made on or after June 1, 2026, regarding participation in an LPIE must only be acted upon mid-period if the change would result in an increase in benefits.

Documentation

 The SSBS must document all exemptions being claimed in the case record in CalSAWS and submit the CalFresh Student Exemption Screening Form to imaging.

Department of Employment & Benefits Services

Contact Person(s):  Sandra Loredo, SSA BPIS, Araceli Reyes, WOOC SSA BPIS (408) 755-7540