Results from Covered California’s grocery support trial are not yet available, according to research reviewed by Gram. The study randomly assigned 6,975 low-income members with chronic conditions to monthly grocery payments of $80 for one-person households or to a waitlist for 12 months, to test effects on hunger and health.
Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, started a grocery support program in February 2025 to test whether regular food money can help people with chronic illnesses. Researchers randomly assigned 6,975 eligible members to receive a monthly grocery card for 12 months or to wait and receive a one-time lump sum at the end of the study. According to research reviewed by Gram, this study is designed to show whether monthly grocery payments reduce food insecurity, improve nutrition and health, and lower healthcare use. The results have not been published yet. This paper describes the study plan, so no findings are available. The trial could offer important evidence for future food assistance policies.
Key Statistics
A randomized controlled trial registered in 2025 enrolled 6,975 low-income Covered California members with chronic conditions to test monthly grocery payments of $80 for one-person households.
The 12-month grocery support study uses a waitlist design, in which members assigned to the control group receive a lump sum payment at the end of the study period.
Eligible participants in the Covered California trial had household incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level and tested positive for food insecurity using the two-item Hunger Vital Sign.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a monthly grocery payment for people with chronic illness and limited money can reduce hunger, improve diet quality, support health, and lower medical visits.
- Who participated: 6,975 people enrolled through Covered California who have a chronic health condition, a household income below 250% of the federal poverty level, and signs of not having enough food.
- Key finding: No results have been reported yet. This paper describes the study design and the outcomes researchers plan to measure over 12 months.
- What it means for you: No changes to your health or grocery plans should be based on this study yet. If you struggle to afford food, check whether you qualify for existing programs such as CalFresh or local food banks.
The Research Details
This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, meaning participants were assigned to groups by chance, much like a lottery. Each eligible person was placed into one of two groups. One group received a monthly payment on a card that could only be used at food stores for 12 months. The monthly amount started at $80 for a one-person household and increased with household size.
The other group received no payment during the 12-month study period. Those people were offered the same total amount as a single lump sum at the end. This design is often called a waitlist control, because the second group serves as a comparison while they wait for their turn to receive support.
Researchers plan to collect information in several ways. They will survey participants, interview people in the program, review insurance claims for hospital, clinic, and pharmacy use, and track how the grocery money is spent. The study is also registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT07215897.
Random assignment helps make the two groups similar at the start, so any differences that appear later are more likely caused by the payments rather than by other factors. Using a real insurance program makes the results more relevant to everyday health care settings. Combining surveys, interviews, and insurance records also gives a fuller picture than any one source could provide.
The study has several strengths. It uses random assignment, a large group of nearly 7,000 people, a planned 12-month timeline, and more than one type of data. Because it is registered in advance, researchers must report planned outcomes, which reduces the chance of choosing only favorable results. Readers should still keep in mind that this is a study plan, and the final quality will become clearer once results are published.
What the Results Show
The results of this trial have not been published, so this section explains what researchers plan to measure. The main outcome is change in food insecurity, which means how often people have trouble getting enough food because of limited money. Researchers will compare how often each group reports this problem.
The study will also examine nutrition security, which refers to access to healthy, affordable, and appropriate foods. Researchers want to learn whether the payments help people buy more nutritious food.
Finally, the trial will look at whether the payments change health outcomes. These include how often people visit hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, and how they rate their own physical and mental health. Because no data have been reported, no conclusions about effectiveness can be drawn yet.
Secondary outcomes include changes in hospital stays, outpatient visits, prescription use, and self-rated physical and mental health. Qualitative interviews will also explore how people used their cards, what they thought of the program, and how the money affected their health and financial decisions. These details could help explain why the program works or does not work for different people.
Earlier studies of cash and food benefit programs have often found that money for food can reduce food insecurity. However, many of these studies were smaller or focused on different populations. This trial is notable because it works through a health insurance marketplace and focuses on people with chronic diseases, which is a newer setting for food support. Its results will add to the growing body of evidence on whether health systems can help address food needs.
Because this paper describes a study plan, its findings are not yet available, and no outcomes should be assumed. Also, people who sign up for a health insurance program may differ from the broader population, which can limit how widely results apply. Some participants may leave the study or stop using the card, which could affect the results. Finally, the waitlist design means the comparison group receives support later, so the study measures the effect of timing and access rather than a permanent difference in support.
The Bottom Line
At this time, there are no evidence-based recommendations based on results from this trial, because the results have not been reported. Confidence in any future benefit remains unknown. Anyone facing food shortages should rely on established programs such as CalFresh, food pantries, and medical providers who can connect patients to food resources.
Health plan leaders, public health officials, clinicians, and policymakers who work on food insecurity and chronic disease should follow this research closely. People with chronic illness and limited income may also find it useful once results are published. Individuals who already have stable access to food may find the study less directly relevant to their daily lives.
The intervention lasts 12 months for participants who receive the monthly card. Final results will require data collection, analysis, and publication after the study ends, so it may take a year or more after enrollment closes before findings are available to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Covered California’s grocery program reduce food insecurity?
Results have not been published yet. The randomized trial enrolled 6,975 members and will measure food insecurity over 12 months, but no findings are available to confirm whether the monthly payments reduce hunger.
Who qualifies for Covered California’s grocery support study?
Eligible members have a chronic health condition, a household income below 250% of the federal poverty level, and signs of food insecurity on the two-item Hunger Vital Sign screening. Participants were randomly assigned to receive the benefit or wait.
How much money does the Covered California grocery benefit provide?
The monthly benefit is set at $80 for a one-person household and increases with household size. It is loaded onto a card that can be used only at food retailers for 12 months.
What health outcomes is the Covered California grocery trial measuring?
The study will track hospital, outpatient, and pharmacy use from insurance claims, along with self-rated physical and mental health. Nutrition security and food insecurity are also primary and secondary outcomes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track how many days per week you were able to buy the groceries you planned, using a simple yes or no each week. Also log how many meals you ate at home and how many vegetables and fruits you included each day. These measures are easy to record and can show changes in food access over time.
- Use the app to create a weekly grocery list tied to a set budget, and mark items you buy each week. Try adding one extra serving of vegetables or fruit to a meal you already eat most days. Small, consistent changes are easier to sustain than large shifts in diet.
- Review your weekly food access and nutrition logs each month to spot patterns, such as weeks when money runs short. Share trends with your doctor or care team during visits. If you join a food assistance program, note the start date in the app so you can compare your food access before and after enrollment.
This article summarizes a study plan for a clinical trial whose results have not yet been published. The information is for general education only and is not medical or nutrition advice. Talk with your doctor, a registered dietitian, or a qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, medications, or health care, especially if you have a chronic condition.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.