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CalFresh,  formerly known as Food Stamps and federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores.  CalFresh benefits come on a plastic card, called the Golden State Advantage Card, which you can use just like a bank card at most food stores. 

This is a federally funded program available to eligible permanent residents or citizens.  Parents with children who are citizens can apply on their child's behalf.

To be eligible to apply for Calfresh as a student:

The student must be between the ages of 18 and 49, enrolled in at least 6 units, have no meal plan (or have a meal plan that provides ten or less of your meals/week), and must also meet any ONE of the following:

• NEW! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student with Zero EFC are now eligible.
• Working and getting paid for an average of 20 hours per week OR a total of 80 hours a month
• Approved (awarded or accepted) for federal or state work study, anticipates working, and has not refused a work assignment (can still be eligible even if a work study job has not begun or is not currently available) 
• Students attending community college, receiving Cal Grant A and falling within the following qualifications: unmarried; AND 25 years of age or younger; AND household income less than $50,000
• Students attending CSU or UC, receiving Cal Grant A OR B, and falling within the following qualifications: unmarried; AND 25 years of age or younger; AND household income less than $50,000 
• Be enrolled in a state funded program that increases employability (EOP, EOPS, WIOA, DSPS, SAS, CARE, US McNair, Puente Project, or MESA) 
• Be enrolled in a program that increases employability for current and former foster youth (Guardian Scholars, FYSI, CAFYES, Chafee (ETC), or Extended Foster Care) 
• Be exerting parental control over a dependent household member under the age of 6 OR between the age of 6 and 12 with no adequate childcare (as determined by the county on a case‐by‐case basis)
• Be a single parent of a dependent household member under the age of 12 AND enrolled full‐time (6 units)

• Participating in the CalFresh Employment and Training Program (CFET) or be a recipient of CalWORKs or JOBS

Other things to consider: 

• Unpaid internships or volunteer work do not count towards the work requirement 
• Students who live with their parents must be 22 years of age or older to apply as an individual household
• International, DACA, and DREAM students may not be eligible, even with a work VISA/SSN
• Effective June 1, 2019 individuals receiving SSI/SSP are eligibility for CalFresh, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.
• Newly eligible CalFresh households (all household members are SSI/SSP recipients) are eligible as of the implementations date.
• For existing CalFresh households (contain an excluded SSI/SSP recipient), implementation will occur on a rolling basis at: Eligibility Status Report (SAR 7), At yearly recertification, or when voluntarily requested.

 

The amount of the benefit is based on the size of your household, your income, and your bills.

Household = a person living alone or a group of people living together (they do not have to be related) who buy food and make meals together.

 

Family Size	Monthly Gross Income Limit	Maximum CalFresh Allotment*
1 person	$2,024	$192
2 people	$2,744	$352
3 people	$3,464	$504
4 people	$4,184	$640
5 people	$4,904	$760
6 people	$5,694	$913

Household = a person living alone or a group of people living together (they do not have to be related) who buy food and make meals together. 

*Minimum amount is $16/month

 

For a list of frequently asked questions about CalFresh, please visit www.mybenefitscalwin.org , or email us at ocfinaid@vcccd.edu

For more information, check out our FAQ page or contact us at ocfinaid@vcccd.edu

 

Step 1: Are You Eligible for CalFresh?

Step 2: Choose an option

I'm Eligible, I Would Like Help Applying	I'm Eligible, I Want to Apply Myself	I'm Not Eligible, Direct Me to Other Resources

After Applying

I've Applied, What Now?

After applying, you'll receive a call from CalFresh in a couple of days to verify your situation. If approved, you'll receive your benefits with 30 days.

Using My CalFresh Card

Here is the whole list of locations that accept EBT!

 

These documents are usually required to get CalFresh:

• A copy of your ID.
• Proof of any income.
• Proof paystubs
• Proof rent receipts
• Proof Utility bill
• Proof of immigration status (for non-citizens).
• Proof of student status (for college students).
• Proof of Award letter statement from college financial aid office

Tell your caseworker during your interview. CalFresh will generally accept a sworn statement as a last resort if you cannot get the documents needed.

Once you submit your application, your county will call you within two weeks for your interview from a blocked/private number.

You’ll need to do a 30-60 minute interview over the phone or at your local county office.

If possible, they will do the interview on the spot. Otherwise, they will work with you to schedule an appointment at a later date.

If the county can’t reach you, they will mail you a notice with your interview time and date. If you missed the interview, you can call your county to reschedule it.

Renewing CalFresh

To continue receiving CalFresh you must submit a SAR 7 form every six months either at the getcalfresh.org or by mail. You'll be notified by text or email before documentation is due. Be sure to submit this on time to avoid cancellation of your benefits.