CalFresh

Do you need help putting food on the table? You’re not alone. Our team at Feeding San Diego is here to help determine whether you qualify for nutrition assistance. If you do, our specialists make CalFresh enrollment as easy as possible.

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What Is CalFresh?

CalFresh (nationally known as SNAP) is a public benefits food assistance program that provides qualifying households with an EBT debit card to buy groceries. EBT cards are reloaded automatically each month with CalFresh benefits. Participants can use the card to buy food at the grocery store and certain farmer’s markets. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on the household size, countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities.

Do I Qualify for CalFresh Benefits?

Most people qualify for CalFresh if their total gross income is less than the income limit for their household size. The chart below will help you determine if you’re eligible to apply.

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Do you need help putting food on the table? You’re not alone. Our team at Feeding San Diego is here to help determine whether you qualify for nutrition assistance. If you do, our specialists make CalFresh enrollment as easy as possible.

What Is CalFresh?

CalFresh (nationally known as SNAP) is a public benefits food assistance program that provides qualifying households with an EBT debit card to buy groceries. EBT cards are reloaded automatically each month with CalFresh benefits. Participants can use the card to buy food at the grocery store and certain farmer’s markets. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on the household size, countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities.

Do I Qualify for CalFresh Benefits?

Most people qualify for CalFresh if their total gross income is less than the income limit for their household size. The chart below will help you determine if you’re eligible to apply.

CalFresh logo
Household Size Maximum Gross Monthly Income *Monthly CalFresh Benefit
1 $2,430 $23 – $291
2 $3,288 $23 – $535
3 $4,144 $23 – $766
4 $5,000 $23 – $973
5 $5,858 $23 – $1,155
6 $6,714 $23 – $1,386
7 $7,570 $23 – $1,532
8 $8,428 $23 – $1,751
Each additional member +$858 +$23 – $219

*Your monthly CalFresh benefit will vary depending on your gross income, household size, and monthly expenses. Contact our team to learn more.

CalFresh logo
Household
Size
Gross Monthly
Income
Maximum Monthly
CalFresh Benefit
1 $2,148 $250
2 $2,904 $459
3 $3,660 $658
4 $4,418 $835
5 $5,174 $992
6 $5,930 $1,190
7 $6,688 $1,316
8 $7,444 $1,504
Each additional member +$758 +$188

Apply for CalFresh

CalFresh applications are processed by the County of San Diego. Feeding San Diego’s CalFresh specialists are here to provide assistance and advocate for your benefit approval. Residents must live in San Diego County to apply.

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Do you have questions or issues with an existing case or pending application?

No problem! Call our CalFresh team at 858.863.6635 or e-mail calfreshteam@feedingsandiego.org.

CalFresh Flexibilities

  • Verbal signatures will be accepted for applications, verifications, and Release of Information forms until September 30, 2022.
  • Initial and recertification interviews, along with face-to-face interviews, are waived until September 30, 2022.

CalFresh Emergency Allotments (EA)

Due to Covid-19, every household should receive a minimum of $95 extra per month. Emergency Allotments are approved by the state on a month-by-month basis and automatically deposited on your EBT card. For July 2022 Emergency Allotments, the deposit will arrive on August 21, 2022. You can view a calendar of Emergency Allotment disbursements here.

Community Voices

Lynda and her mom at Feeding San Diego officeThe food that I get through CalFresh has been a tremendous blessing. Without thiswe were very limited as to the kind of foods we were buying. Now, we’re able to purchase the food we want without worrying as much about the bill. I’m able to take care of my mom which is a very big challenge.

I want to thank you so much. Words cannot even express how grateful I am for the food that I’m getting nowI’m grateful that I have a card that I can go and buy food with. When you have a limited incomeit’s a true blessing. I hope the program will continue because there are a lot of people out there who need this. Thank you. 

Lynda, CalFresh recipient

Monica and her daughter, CalFresh recipients When I separated from my husband, I didn’t have any income; I depended on his. I needed to find work, and I had my thirteen-year-old daughter to care for. I was not receiving child support, so I was scared and I needed to pay rent, buy food, and pay bills. They cut off my gas and electricity for a while. My daughter, son, and boyfriend helped me get caught up on some bills, but we needed food. I knew that there was help for people in my situation. If I didn’t have CalFresh, it would be a big issue for my daughter and me. It means a lot to my daughter that there will be food on the table. It’s not that I need a big meal on the table, but just to know that I have the basics for my daughter makes us both feel secure.

Monica, CalFresh recipient

Maria and Agustin CalFresh recipients with help of Feeding San DiegoWe first applied through Feeding San Diego about a year ago. Our experience applying with Feeding San Diego was faster and easier than another agency we did it with. The program has been helping us to eat healthier, and we don’t have to spend so much money on food and can buy other necessities. It’s a privilege for us to receive these benefits right now. Since the pandemic hit, I stopped working so I don’t have any income. I’m on a waiting list to see if I will get called back to work.

Agustin, CalFresh recipient

Feeding San Diego has been helping us a lot. When we didn’t have CalFresh, we were struggling. We didn’t know if we would pay our bills or buy food. Sometimes, we would just eat beans during the week because we didn’t have any money after we paid our bills and purchased medicine. With this help, there’s a big difference. Now we don’t have to decide between necessities. Now we know we have extra help. Every day we pray to thank the government for allowing us to buy extra food and for a cure for COVID-19.

Maria, CalFresh recipient

Myths About CalFresh

Myth: I will only receive $23 a month in CalFresh benefits.

Fact: Benefit amounts depend on each household’s unique situation and individual amounts can range from $23 a month to $281 a month.

Myth: If you live in the same home or pay rent together, you need to apply for CalFresh as a group.

Fact: There can be multiple “CalFresh Households” under one roof. The most important thing that determines if people can apply separately is whether or not they buy and prepare food together.

Myth: People cannot qualify for CalFresh if they own a home or a car.

Fact: You can own a house and a car and still be eligible for CalFresh.

Myth: You have to have children to be eligible for CalFresh.

Fact: You don’t need to have children to qualify for CalFresh.

Myth: Households that receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) are not eligible for CalFresh.

Fact: As of June 2019, people receiving SSI are now eligible for CalFresh benefits.

Myth: An applicant must be a U.S. Citizen to be eligible for CalFresh.

Fact: In California, many non-citizen groups are eligible for CalFresh, including Legal Permanent Residents, U-Visa holders, victims of trafficking, and other qualified immigrants. At this time, undocumented people do not qualify for CalFresh. However, only one person in the household needs to be a citizen or qualified immigrant to be eligible for CalFresh. More information on CalFresh/SNAP eligibility for non-citizens is available here.

Myth: CalFresh affects an applicant’s public charge determination.

Fact: As of March 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer consider participation in Medi-Cal (except for long-term care), public housing, or CalFresh as part of the public charge determination. More information here.

Myth: College students are not eligible for CalFresh.

Fact: Many college students are eligible for CalFresh under special student eligibility criteria. For CalFresh defines a college student as someone aged 18 to 49 and is enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. Most students qualify if they meet at least one of the following: approved for work-study, receive Cal Grant A or B, work at least 20 hours/week or more, have a $0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC), have a dependent, receive CalWorks, or are in certain employment/training programs. More information on college student eligibility is available here.

If you’re experiencing hunger, CalFresh may be able to help. See if you’re eligible today.

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