WHAT IS CALFRESH?

To get more eligible residents to sign up, California's food stamp program is changing its name and look. In comes CalFresh and good-bye Food Stamps.

Federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), California has adopted CalFresh as the new name to represent the program.

CalFresh aims to evoke, not a welfare program, but instead a health and nutrition program and California officials hope that the name change will encourage more people and families to seek CalFresh as a resource for putting healthy meals on their tables. The rebranding of food stamps is the latest in a series of efforts to increase participation in the federal program which offers qualifying households an average of $200 per month of food benefits in California.

Due to the economic downturn in California, many individuals and families have been affected. Perhaps work hours were cut or someone in the home was laid off. Whatever the reasons are, many are having a tough time making ends meet and are having to choose between paying the bills or purchasing healthy food for the home. CalFresh benefits provide families and individuals in need an opportunity to stretch their food budgets.

NEED HELP BUYING FOOD? GET THE HELP YOU NEED THROUGH CALFRESH

Low-income individuals and families can get help buying healthy food through California's CalFresh Program. CalFresh can help stretch food budgets and ensure that families can access healthier, culturally appropriate foods.

HOW DO I PURCHASE FOOD WITH CALFRESH?

CalFresh benefits are not provided through cash or coupons. Instead, people who qualify for CalFresh will be given an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card which looks and works like a bank ATM card. When you go through the checkout line at a supermarket, you pass or "swipe" the EBT card through the payment machine at the checkout stand. Then you enter a four digit PIN code. The cost of the food is then subtracted from your CalFresh account automatically - just like a bankcard. CalFresh EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores and supermarkets. Even Costco has begun accepting the card.

It is fast, simple and discreet.

WHAT CAN CALFRESH BUY?

CalFresh benefits will help to stretch your food dollar. You can purchase food items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, fish, chicken, and cereals. You cannot use your EBT card to buy soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, tobacco or anything else that is not food.

For a comprehensive list of permissible foods to purchase with your EBT card, please click on the link: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm

WHO QUALIFIES FOR CALFRESH?

You must meet income guidelines to receive CalFresh benefits. You can qualify for CalFresh even if you have a full-time, part-time or are without a job. Whether you live alone or live with others, have children or don't have children, you can still be eligible. Seniors are also eligible. It pays to check it out!

Effective October 1, 2011

* If a member in your household is disabled or an elderly person (over 60 years old) the table may not apply to you. You can earn more money and still be eligible if you meet the Net Monthly Income. Please call us to get prescreened!

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE?

Individuals who receive SSI/SSP assistance (Supplemental Security Income/Payment) are not eligible because food benefits are already allocated in the grant. However, other members in the household not receiving SSI might still be eligible.

Undocumented residents are not eligible for CalFresh. However, other members in the household with legal residency (e.g. United States Citizen or permanent legal resident) are still eligible. For example, an undocumented mother may apply for her children with legal residency.

Note: Supplemental Security Income/Payment (SSI) is not the same as Social Security Administration. Those who receive Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability, State Disability, Survivor Benefits, Unemployment or even a pension are still eligible.

Note: Applying for CalFresh will not hurt your chances of becoming a US citizen or permanent resident. However, CalFresh applicants must have a Social Security number to be eligible. This letter from the US Citizenship & Immigration Services explains that applying for CalFresh will not affect immigration status.

US CIS Letter (English)  US CIS Letter (Spanish)

HOW DO I APPLY FOR CALFRESH?

You can use the Food Stamp Pre-Screening Tool to determine if you may be eligible to receive CalFresh benefits. This screening tool does not guarantee eligibility but will help determine the likelihood of eligibility. If the tool indicates you may not qualify, you can still apply to ensure accurate determination of your eligibility. To access the pre-screening tool in Spanish, click here.

If you are eligible, you can fill out the CalFresh application and send it to the San Diego CalFresh office indicated at the end of the screening tool. Please print, fill out and send in the following CalFresh Application Forms:

(English)
DFA285 A1
DFA285 A2
DFA285A3

For forms in other languages, please click here.

However, if you would like additional prescreening and application assistance you can call our CalFresh Hotline (1-866-350-3663) and have a CalFresh Outreach Coordinator guide and help you through the CalFresh application process. You can even mail your completed application forms to us along with copies of your verifications (click here for verification list) and we will submit them to the county on your behalf. We will stay in touch with you and act as your liaison with the county if any issues arise during the application process.

Mail to:
San Diego Food Bank CalFresh Outreach Program
9850 Distribution Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92121

Call our CalFresh Hotline at 1-866-350-3663 (Food) and ask to speak to a CalFresh Outreach Representative for further assistance.

VISIT A CALFRESH OUTREACH PROGRAM LOCATION

The CalFresh Outreach Program staff and volunteers visit different locations every month to help people sign up for CalFresh. Team members will pre-screen you to see if you are eligible for CalFresh and help you through the application process.

The chart below gives the location, dates and times where the Food Bank's CalFresh Outreach team will be hosting pre-screening clinics.

* Please note that all scheduled Prescreening Sessions are subject to change.
To confirm a scheduled event please call the San Diego Food Bank and speak to a Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator.

Or to be prescreened over the phone and get application assistance, please call.
1-866-350-3663 X43

BECOME A CALfresh OUTREACH VOLUNTEER

Want to give back to the community? Want to help increase CalFresh participation? Become a CalFresh Outreach volunteer with the San Diego Food Bank. Click here for more information.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions or need more information about the Food Stamp Program, please contact Daniela Solano at 1-866-350-3663 (Food) Ext. 43 or email her at dsolano@sandiegofoodbank.org