Last year, SB 1254 was signed into law, marking a historic step toward ensuring that individuals leaving incarceration can access the food assistance they need to rebuild their lives. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of directly impacted leaders, community organizations, and partners across California, we are now seeing this critical policy move from legislation to real-world implementation.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has taken up the work of enacting SB 1254’s provisions with urgency. This is a significant step toward reversing the harm of past policies, which invested heavily in incarceration while leaving returning community members with little support. The human cost of these past decisions is immeasurable, but we can clearly track the resources spent on building and maintaining carceral systems—resources that could have been used to create stability and opportunity instead. SB 1254 is a shift in the right direction.
Where We Are Now
As required by SB 1254, CDSS submitted a request to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to expand pre-release applications for CalFresh statewide. We are excited to share that FNS has officially approved this request.
- This waiver will be in effect from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2030, and applies to all state prisons and county jails in California.
- Until then, the current pre-release waiver—first released in the All County Welfare Directors Letter (ACWDL) on November 18, 2022—remains in place.
- This means that while the Orange County pre-release pilot continues, other counties have the opportunity to opt in before the statewide waiver takes effect.
This approval is a major step in ensuring that people leaving incarceration are connected to critical food resources before they return home, helping to reduce hunger and increase stability during reentry.
Why This Matters for Communities
When someone returns from incarceration, they are not returning in isolation—they are coming back to families, neighborhoods, and communities that must also be resourced to support their transition.
- Ensuring that returning citizens have access to food is not just about the individual—it strengthens entire communities by reducing economic strain on families and support networks.
- Local organizations, service providers, and advocacy groups play a vital role in creating pathways for stability, but they need the right policies and resources in place to do that effectively.
- Investing in food security for those leaving incarceration is part of a larger effort to create thriving, self-sustaining communities where every person has the tools to succeed.
What’s Next
The work doesn’t stop with the bill’s passage. Counties have until October 26 to opt in before the pre-release waiver is implemented statewide. This next phase is crucial in ensuring every county understands, adopts, and fully implements this policy so that no one falls through the cracks.
We are also continuing to deepen our impact through :
- A webinar to share updates and equip advocates with the tools to support local implementation.
- A podcast documenting the journey of this coalition—the challenges, the victories, and what comes next.
- More to come—the long-term goal is that the podcast will expand beyond this campaign to highlight broader conversations about justice, policy, and the movement ahead.
This moment is worth celebrating—not just as a policy win, but as a sign that change is possible when we come together. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Thank the Govenor & Your Legislator
Please join us in thanking the legislators who supported SB 1254 for their commitment to removing barriers to food and resources for people impacted by incarceration!
Send a letter straight to the Governor and your Legislators using the button below.
