If you are a resident of California with low or no income, you may be eligible to CalFresh. This can include individuals in the following situations:

• California Residents with low or no income
• Homeless Individuals
• Students, in higher education, who meet eligibility requirements
• Elderly and/or disabled
• Individuals receiving SSI/SSP
• Immigrants and refugees may also qualify

Households Are:

A household may be composed of any of the following individuals or groups of individuals:

• An individual living alone
• An individual living with others, but customarily purchasing food and preparing meals for home consumption separately and apart from others
• A group of individuals who live together and customarily prepare meals together for consumption
• An elderly disabled individual living with others but unable to purchase and prepare meals because of a disability

Income Limits

CalFresh Gross Monthly Income Limits
and Maximum Benefit Amounts

1. Complete and Submit an Application
2. Schedule an interview. You will be scheduled for either a phone or in person interview with an Eligibility Worker.
3. Verification documents may be needed to process your application, such as income, citizenship, or other information that cannot be verified electronically. You will receive notification of what verifications are needed by an Eligibility Worker. 
4. Within 30 days of the day you apply, you will get a Notice of Action (NOA) by mail. This will inform you whether your application was approved or denied.
5. If approved, you will also receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card in the mail. Under certain circumstances, you may also be able to pickup your EBT card in office.

If you don't have all of the information to complete the application, just complete what you can.

You may leave an application with just your name, address and signature. An Eligibility Worker can assist you in finishing the application.

Expedite Services CalFresh Benefits may be available to some applicants who qualify. Expedite Services must be processed within three (3) calendar days from the date of your CalFresh application.

You may be eligible to Expedite Services if you meet one of the following requirements:

1. Is your household's gross income less than $150 and cash on hand, checking and savings accounts of $100 or less?
2. Is your household's combined gross income and liquid resources less than the combined rent/mortgage and utilities?
3. Is your household a migrant/seasonal farm worker household with liquid resources not exceeding $100?

*Liquid resources being items such as: cash on hand, checking or savings accounts, lump sum payments, etc.

How to Submit Documents for CalFresh:

• Online through BenefitsCal
• Mail: P.O. Box 1535, Yuba City, CA 95992
• Fax: 530-822-7212
• In Person: 190 Garden Hwy, Yuba City, CA 95991

In order to keep your CalFresh benefits after initial approval, you will periodically need to complete a semi-annual report, recertification and any mandatory mid-period reports. Some households may have different reporting requirements, your Eligibility Worker will go over those requirements with you.

Semi-Annual Reports (SAR 7)

A semi-annual repot (SAR 7) is a report used to periodically redetermine a recipient's eligibility and benefit amount; typically a SAR 7 is sent out every 6 months.

Annual Recertification

A recertification is typically done every year, this will often include completing an interview with an Eligibility Worker and submitting the recertification form along with the required verification. 

Mandatory Mid-Period Reporting Requirements

For CalFresh, there are certain changes that will be considered Mandatory Mid-Period Changes. These changes are required to be reported within 10 days of the change. All other changes are considered Voluntary Changes. Voluntary reports, such as decreases in your monthly income, can be reported at any time.

Households will be notified of reporting responsibilities at application grants with the CalFresh Benefits How to Report Household Changes (CF 23 SAR) Informing Notice. 

The following changes will be considered Mandatory Mid-Period Changes:

• When household's income exceeds 130% of the FPL for the household size
• When a household receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings of $3,750 or more from a single game, purchase of a ticket, hand or similar bet before taxes or withholding. 

CalFresh, Transitional CalFresh and Nutritional Benefit Program benefits are issued to households via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT).

Households will be provided with a plastic Golden State Advantage EBT card to use to access their CalFresh benefits. Each EBT card has a unique card number and you will be able to establish your own Personal Identification Number (PIN) that can be used to access benefits and to assure security of your account. 

The following items CAN be purchased with CalFresh benefits

• Foods for human consumption (i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks, etc.).
• Seeds and plants to grow food for the household use.
• In some counties CalFresh benefits can be used to eat in certain restaurants.

The following items CANNOT be purchased with CalFresh benefits:

• Any non-food item such as pet food, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items and cosmetics.
• Alcoholic beverages or tobacco products
• Vitamins and medicines 

You can use the Store Locator to find out where you can use your EBT card.

You can check your balance by:

• Visiting the EBT Website, or
• Calling 1-877-328-9677

Issuance Dates

CalFresh benefit issuances are available each month based on the last digit of your case number:

What to know to protect your EBT Card

Your county or state will never text or call you requesting your personal information such as your EBT card number or your personal identification number (PIN).

If you are contacted about your EBT account, you should not provide any personal information. If you think your benefits may have been stolen, you should immediately call the customer service telephone number on the back of your EBT card, 1-877-328-9677, or contact your county social services agency.

• Never give out your personal information to anyone, or you could have your benefits stolen
• Keep your EBT card number and PIN a secret
• Never give out your social security number, EBT card number or PIN to anyone.

If you have already provided card numbers and PINs to a third party, you should call 1-877-328-9677 to change your PIN or to report your EBT cards as lost or stolen.

If Your EBT Card is Lost or Stolen

If your card is stolen or lost, please contact 1-877-328-9677 immediately to report it and request a replacement card. 

• More information on the EBT card

• VIDEO: Watch Out for EBT Scams!!!
• VIDEO: Tenga Cuidado Con Las Estafas De Las Tarjetas EBT!!!