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CalFresh

The CalFresh Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their household’s nutritional needs. CalFresh benefits issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer, also known as EBT card, can be used in grocery stores and participating Farmers Markets. Homeless, elderly or disabled persons may purchase prepared meals from participating restaurants with their EBT card. Effective June 1, 2019, SSI/SSP recipients in California are also eligible for CalFresh benefits, provided all other eligibility requirements are met.

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Expedited CalFresh Flyer, that states the following: Expedited CalFresh: Receive Food Benefits Quickly – You may be eligible to receive Expedited CalFresh (ES) benefits within three days, or even as early as the same day after the application is received. You must meet one of the requirements below. 1.) Your combined gross monthly income and cash resources are less than your monthly rent or mortgage and utility costs; 2.) Your household has less than $150 in gross monthly income and cash resources of $100 or less; or 3.) You or someone in your household are migrant or seasonal farmworkers who are destitute, and your cash resources are $100 or less. You must be interview, and your identity must be verified (photo ID not required) to received Expedited CalFresh benefits. We will make all reasonable efforts to assist in verifying your identity either by calling a third party (someone you know) or any readily available documentary or electronic information. You may be interviewed the same day you apply, or a telephone interview appointment will be scheduled within three days. However, you can call us any time before your scheduled appointment. If you qualify for ES and have not received your benefits within three days, call us. Your EBT card will be mailed, or you may pick up at a district office. (866) 613-3777 (toll-free) | (626) 569-1399 | (310) 258-7400 | (818) 701-8200 First, press option #2, “Apply for Benefits,” Then press option #2, “CalFresh Apply,” to be connected to a worker when you call. Customer Service Center Hours: Monday - Friday | 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Expedited CalFresh: Receive Food Benefits Quickly

You may be eligible for Expedited CalFresh (ES) benefits within three days, or even as early as the same day after the application is received, if you meet one of three requirements!

Flyer in additional languages:

English          Spanish          Armenian          Cambodian          Chinese          Korean          Russian          Tagalog          Vietnamese          

an Assortment of fresh ingredients
Basic Eligibility
Generally, you may be eligible for CalFresh benefits if you:
  • Receive CalWORKS or General Relief
  • Have low-income or no income
  • Have limited property
  • Receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP)
  • Are a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident
  • Are an immigrant that meets certain criteria
    • Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)

      The Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP) provides cash aid, food assistance, employment services, and health care assistance to eligible non-citizen victims of human trafficking who have applied or intend to apply for a T-Visa and victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes who have applied for a U-Visa.

      T-Visa, U-Visa non-citizens, and Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) self-petitioners are not required to provide a Social Security Number to apply for CalFresh benefits. However, they must meet other CalFresh eligibility requirements, such as income.

      Customers are strongly encouraged to disclose their immigration status on the application or during their interview with the eligibility staff to avoid possible delays or erroneous denials of their application. 
      You can apply online at https://benefitscal.com/, over the phone at (866) 613-3777, or in person at your local DPSS District Office.   

Access additional eligibility criteria

Minimum requirements to file a CalFresh application:

1. Applicant’s full name and
2. Household’s address (unless homeless, district address is acceptable), and
3. Signature of the Head of household, any adult household member, an authorized representative, or a responsible household member.


CalFresh Benefit Allotment

Great News!

As of October 1, 2023, all CalFresh customers will see an INCREASE in their monthly benefit amount due to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment increase!

To learn more, view the CalFresh Program Fact Sheet!

CF 285 -  Application for CalFresh  Benefits - Downloadable Forms

This is the CalFresh application form. Please complete and submit to your local DPSS office in-person or by mail. 

CF 285 English (Large Print EN)  CF 285 Spanish (Large Print SP)  CF 285 Russian (Large Print RU)  CF 285 Korean (Large Print KR)   CF 285 Armenian (Large Print AR)   CF 285 Chinese (Large Print CN)  CF 285 Farsi (Large Print FA)   CF 285 Tagalog (Large Print not available)   CF 285 Cambodian (Large Print KM)    CF 285 Vietnamese (Large Print VI)

Disaster CalFresh - Downloadable Forms

CF 385, CalFresh Disaster application - emergency use only!!!!!

CF 385 English   CF 385 Spanish   CF 385 Russian   CF 385 Korean    CF 385 Armenian    CF 385 Chinese   CF 385 Farsi    CF 385 Tagalog   CF 385 Cambodian    CF 385 Vietnamese


CalFresh Elderly Simplified Application

Only use the following application if everyone in the household is:

  • At least 60 or older and/or disabled.
  • Not getting any income from work.
  • Purchasing and preparing food together.

CF 485, CalFresh Elderly Simplified Application

Apply On-Line with BenefitsCal

The easiest and quickest way to apply for CalFresh is online at BenefitsCal.

Apply by Telephone!
You can apply by phone. Call the Customer Service Center (CSC) (866) 613-3777 to have an application mailed to you.
Apply In Person
You can apply In person at any Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) District Office or outreach site.

You can also apply for CalFresh benefits in the following methods:

- In person through a Drop Box located at any DPSS District Offices
- In person with any CalFresh Outreach partners
- By Mail to any local DPSS District offices
- By Fax at (310) 215-8220.
 

Customer Service Center Hours of Operation

The Customer Service Center is available to assist you:

  • Monday – Friday from 7:30AM – 6:30PM

We are closed on weekends and County Holidays. 

If you don’t have access to the internet to apply for CalFresh online, please use this to find the nearest internet hotspots to you!