Just in case you didn’t know, California has its own program to help feed its most vulnerable residents. It’s called CalFresh and is the equivalent of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the rest of the country (and since this program is state-run, that’s why California has its own name for it).
More than 5 million people in California receive payments from this program, which helps them fill their refrigerators with fresh and essential products, especially during times of inflation when it’s so hard to make ends meet.
But wait, there’s more: this summer, these payments can reach up to $300 (depending on the family size), and really, who couldn’t use $300 when times are tight? Stick around and we’ll tell you!
What is CalFresh and how does it work?
Let’s break it down. CalFresh has roots going back to the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 and the Food Stamp Act of 1964, so its goal couldn’t be anything other than helping families with fewer resources cover their basic food needs, which is one of the key pillars of public health.
How do you receive this benefit?
It’s very simple to access these payments, no checks or booklet of coupons needed.
You’ll receive an EBT card (Electronic Benefit Transfer), and through this card, the money is sent directly to you. When you’re ready to pay (at stores associated with the program), you’ll simply pay like you would with any other card – no judgment, no questions. Your purchase, you, and your social benefit payment.
When are the payments made?
CalFresh payments are distributed during the first 10 days of every month, depending on the last digit of your case number. Here’s the list to make it clearer:
- June 1: case number ends in 1
- June 2: case number ends in 2
- June 3: case number ends in 3
- June 4: case number ends in 4
- June 5: case number ends in 5
- June 6: case number ends in 6
- June 7: case number ends in 7
- June 8: case number ends in 8
- June 9: case number ends in 9
- June 10: case number ends in 0
How much can each family receive?
Payments vary depending on household size. So, a one-person household will receive around $199 a month, but:
- Two people: about $366
- Three people: around $577
- Four people: up to $726
- Payments can exceed $1,000 per month for larger families.
It might seem like a small amount, but it’s the difference between maintaining a healthy diet or living with the risk of not having a plate on the table.
How do I sign up?
You can apply for CalFresh by phone, online, or at the Department of Social Services, and you can do it in Spanish or English, in whatever language makes you feel most comfortable.
And don’t worry, you can receive CalFresh while also receiving other government programs, such as SSA (retirement benefits) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income). But remember to stay aware of the payment calendar (click here) so you know when money is coming!
Who can get CalFresh?
The program is mainly open to low-income people, also to the unemployed, low-wage workers, immigrants, students, or even people without housing. For many households, these payments mean more than just money: they’re a guarantee of fresh, healthy food on the table.
Even if not everyone qualifies for the maximum amount, every dollar counts when it comes to stocking the pantry.
A state that’s getting poorer
The official poverty rate in California is about 12%, but the reality is even more complicated: sky-high housing costs, the rising daily cost of living.
For millions of families in this state, making it to the end of the month is a real odyssey… And the truth is, you don’t have to be below the poverty line; poverty is also about not making it to the end of the month, a poverty that 31% of Californians face…
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