This study used secondary data from the 2015-2016 California Health Interview Survey database to examine the associations between lack of access to food and heart disease, diabetes and access to healthcare among those that access the CalWORKs and CalFresh program. The sample consisted of 1,465 adults who accessed welfare benefits in California. The findings of this study found that the majority of the sample did not have enough food to eat. This study revealed a significant correlation between reduced access to food because of lack of money, heart disease, diabetes and emergency department visits.

This study will contribute to the knowledge base of social work and aims to illuminate the unique challenges that those working with economically marginalized individuals may encounter. Social workers who work collaboratively with healthcare providers, state and federal resources, and community stake holders are instrumental in ensuring that welfare program recipients with chronic health conditions are able to access the appropriate resources.