CalFresh (Food Stamps)

Goal

To assist low-income people and families purchase food they need for good health. It is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and the cornerstone of all federal nutrition assistance programs.


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About the CalFresh Program

The CalFresh Program (formerly known as food stamps) is a segment of the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services and administered by the Department of Social Services. The amount of CalFresh benefits you can receive is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan, which is an estimate of how much it costs to buy food and prepare nutritious, low-cost meals for your household. This estimate changes every year to keep pace with food prices.

CalFresh benefits are distributed by Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). EBT cardholders access their benefits using the California “Golden State Advantage” card. The EBT card provides faster service; the cardholder simply slides his/her card through a point-of-sale (POS) device available at numerous grocery stores. The card is convenient, secure, in line with commercial banking practices of automated payment, and reduces the stigma associated with receiving public assistance.

Program Requirements

Covered Services

  • Purchase foods for human consumption
  • Purchase seeds and plants to grow food for household use

You may be able to get CalFresh benefits within three calendar days if:

  • Your household's monthly gross income (income before deductions) is less than $150 and your cash on hand or in checking or savings is not more than $100; or
  • Your household's housing costs (rent/mortgage and utilities) are more than your monthly gross income and money in checking/savings; or
  • You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker household with less than $100 in checking or savings and
    1. Your income stopped, or
    2. Your income has started but you do not expect to get more than $25 in the next ten days.

(Note: You have the right to file an incomplete application containing only the name, address and signature of a responsible member of the household.)

Bilingual services are available upon request. Los servicios bilingües están disponible al pedido.