The Family First Economic Support Program (FFESP), launching in Sacramento, California, will provide $725 monthly payments to 200 randomly selected families—but many are asking whether this financial aid could impact benefits like CalFresh or CalWORKs.

Starting in mid-June 2025, the FFESP aims to support families with young children facing financial hardship. While the additional income is welcome news, potential participants are increasingly concerned about how it might affect their existing public assistance.

Local officials, according to Marca, have addressed some of these concerns, but uncertainty still lingers for families depending on other support programs.

Overview of the FFESP Pilot Program

The FFESP is a guaranteed income pilot designed for low-income families in Sacramento with young children. The initiative will provide $725 per month for 12 months to 200 families selected at random—a key component of the program’s commitment to equity. The goal is to alleviate child poverty by giving families consistent, direct financial assistance throughout the year.

Impact on Benefits Like CalFresh and CalWORKs

According to the California Department of Social Services, FFESP payments will not be counted as income when determining eligibility for programs such as CalFresh and CalWORKs. This is due to current policies that classify guaranteed income pilot programs under specific non-countable income categories.

In addition to CalFresh and CalWORKs, these benefits will also remain unaffected:

• Tribal TANF
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children program)
• Subsidized housing via SHRA (Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency)
• State-subsidized child care

This means participating families can receive the FFESP income without risking disqualification from these critical aid programs.

Potential Effects on Other Public Assistance

However, not all public benefit programs are protected from FFESP’s income. The Department of Social Services clarified:

“Although the FFCRA does not directly impact these programs, it could modify the total household income and, therefore, influence eligibility for other benefits that are not covered by the same exemption.”

Programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medi-Cal, and some federal housing assistance may factor FFESP payments into income calculations. That could affect eligibility or benefit amounts for certain participants.

What Participants Can Expect from the FFESP Team

Families chosen for the FFESP will meet one-on-one with program staff before receiving payments. These meetings will help explain how the monthly income might interact with current household benefits.

However, participants should know:

“Program representatives are not authorized to offer legal advice or make formal decisions about other benefits such as SSI, Medi-Cal or federal assistance.”

Only official caseworkers from the appropriate agencies can provide binding decisions about eligibility for those programs.

The Need for Proactive Evaluation

As outlined in the FFESP guidelines:

“The responsibility lies with the beneficiary…”

Participants are strongly encouraged to consult directly with their benefit providers before accepting FFESP payments. That way, families can clearly understand how the new income might affect other forms of support and make informed decisions for their households.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.