What is the CalFresh Program?
CalFresh is a public assistance program that promotes and safeguards the health and well-being of low-income individuals or households (HH) by increasing their food purchasing power and raising their levels of nutrition. In California, the monthly CalFresh benefit is transferred to the HH’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, known as the Golden State Advantage card, and is issued when the HH’s CalFresh application is approved. CalFresh benefits allow individuals and families to purchase food at participating retailers, and participating farmer's markets.
Who Can Get CalFresh?
Individuals or HHs whose income is low enough and meet other eligibility factors, can get CalFresh benefits. U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and some qualified immigrants may receive CalFresh benefits. In California, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) are potentially eligible to receive CalFresh benefits as of June 1, 2019.
Application Processing and Expedited Service
CalFresh applications are processed within 30 calendar days. In emergency situations, a HH may receive CalFresh benefits within three days from the date of their CalFresh application. It is the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) policy to issue expedited CalFresh benefits on the day of application, whenever possible. The HH must meet specified conditions which would render the HH’s situation emergent (e.g., monthly gross income is less than $150 and with $100 or less cash on hand OR the HH’s gross monthly income and liquid resources are less than their monthly rent/mortgage and utility costs.)
How Much CalFresh Benefits Can a Household Receive?
The amount of CalFresh benefits depends on the HH size, income, and expenses.
| If a household has this many members… | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| And makes less than this each month... (gross income limit) | $2,510 | $3,408 | $4,304 | $5,200 | $6,098 | $6,994 | $7,890 | $8,788 |
| The household could receive up to this much in benefits: * | $292 | $536 | $768 | $975 | $1,158 | $1,390 | $1,536 | $1,756 |
* Actual amount depends on HH’s specific case situation (Amounts effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025)
Elderly and Disabled Households
The gross income limit is not used to determine eligibility for HHs that contain an elderly and/or disabled member. Instead, the net monthly income limit (gross income minus applicable deductions) is used to determine eligibility.
Resources
Effective February 1, 2011, resources such as money and liquid resources are no longer counted when determining CalFresh eligibility for most HHs. The resource limit is $3,000 and for HHs with an Elderly or Disabled member, the limit is $4,500. If a HH is applying for cash aid (CalWORKs, General Relief or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants [CAPI] or Non-MAGI Medi-Cal) resources will be counted for those programs.
How to Apply
