Second Harvest of Silicon Valley can help you find free groceries at nearby food distributions and pantries, and support you in applying for CalFresh — also known as SNAP or EBT (formerly called food stamps).
Why is it important to connect callers to CalFresh benefits?
Director of Services Kelly Chew says it best: “CalFresh is a great solution because it gives you the most flexibility to buy your preferred foods. CalFresh can add to your food budget to put nutritious food on the table. You can use CalFresh at so many stores and even online. CalFresh is the best solution to addressing hunger in general. It is supplemental to our food. Given recent policy changes to CalFresh eligibility and work requirements, it can feel confusing to apply. Second Harvest is here to help you navigate through the whole process.”
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) helps people with limited income pay for food. CalFresh can be used at most grocery stores, when ordering groceries online at select retailers and at farmers markets that accept an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Benefits are provided on an EBT card that works like a debit card. CalFresh benefits are not a loan and do not need to be paid back.
CalFresh is a federally funded nutrition program, known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outside of California. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which also funds free lunches at schools and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). CalFresh is not the same as CalWORKs or welfare.
How can I use CalFresh benefits?
The amount of money you get from CalFresh changes depending on your gross income, net income and household size. Second Harvest can help you understand what you are eligible for and how to get the most out of your benefits.
For the current cycle started October 1, 2025, the CalFresh minimum monthly benefit is $24 and the maximum benefit can be as high as $994 for a family of four. With any CalFresh benefit amount, you can buy fresh, healthy food at most stores and farmers markets. You can use this grocery list and our recipes to make eight nutritious and filling meals for under $24!
How can I apply for CalFresh?
Our Food Connection team can help answer your questions directly and help you apply. We can also help you estimate the monthly benefits you may receive to help you decide if you’d like to go through the application process. Visit our Apply for CalFresh page to learn more, make an application appointment, or apply on your own.
Second Harvest helps you submit your application to the county you live in. Your county, not Second Harvest, is responsible for reviewing applications and administering benefits.
Why apply with Second Harvest instead of on my own?
Second Harvest makes the process easier for you and supports you every step of the way. We can upload and submit documents on your behalf and our team can follow up throughout the entire application process so nothing falls through the cracks.
We’re experts. Our staff work on CalFresh applications every day and we can answer any questions you have, clarify confusing requirements, and make sure your application is as strong as possible.
We are your advocates. If any issues arise, we’ll work directly with the county on your behalf to resolve and follow up as needed.
We can connect you to even more free food resources beyond CalFresh. CalFresh is meant to complement our free food distributions. You can use both programs as needed.
What should I expect after I apply?
Visit our CalFresh page to understand what to expect in the application process. Expect a phone call or mail from the county office within 14 days of submitting your application.
Get your benefits
If you are approved for CalFresh, you will get an EBT card in the mail for groceries within 10 days of approval.
Buy groceries
You can start using your EBT card as soon as you receive it in the mail. EBT cards work in most food stores, online and at some farmers markets. Use it like any normal debit card.
“I really appreciate our job because we get to explain to clients why certain questions are asked on CalFresh applications. We can tell them their options. We empower them.” – Claribel, bilingual in Spanish and English
What are some other benefits to signing up for CalFresh?
By enrolling in CalFresh, you qualify for other free or discounted programs, including:
- Discounts on utilities like PG&E and phone service
- Discounted transportation on BART, SamTrans, CalTrain and Bikes for All
- Free or discounted entry to museums all over the U.S., as well as California State Parks
- Market Match, which provides matching funds so customers can buy even more fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets. Lear more at MarketMatch.com.
What can I buy with my CalFresh EBT card?
CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase any food with the exception of pre-made heated foods. CalFresh cannot be used to buy non-food items such as diapers, beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco.
How much can you get from CalFresh?
California releases its maximum CalFresh Allotments every fiscal year. For the current cycle started October 1, 2025, the maximum monthly amounts are as follows:
| People in Household | Gross Monthly Income | Net Monthly Income | Maximum CalFresh Allotment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,610 | $1,305 | $298 |
| 2 | $3,526 | $1,763 | $546 |
| 3 | $4,442 | $2,221 | $785 |
| 4 | $5,360 | $2,680 | $994 |
| 5 | $6,276 | $3,138 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $7,192 | $3,596 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $8,110 | $4,055 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $9,026 | $4,513 | $1,789 |
| Each additional member | $918 | $459 | $218 |
Do I have to pay CalFresh back?
No, you will not have to pay any money back unless you are accidentally overpaid.
Will I lose my benefits if I don’t use the full amount each month?
You will not lose your benefits. Any balance remaining on your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card will stay on your card until you spend it. Your benefits won’t be adjusted or reduced because you aren’t using the full amount every month.
Does CalFresh count as income?
No, CalFresh allotments made to each household are not counted as taxable income.
Do I have to pay taxes on CalFresh?
No, you do not need to pay taxes on or report CalFresh on your tax return.
Do I need to show proof of income when applying for CalFresh?
Earned and unearned income must be reported. Second Harvest Food Connection team can help you figure out what verification documents you need and can submit them on your behalf with your application.
Does my income or other benefits impact my ability to get CalFresh?
You can get CalFresh even if you get money from a job, disability, unemployment, Social Security, CalWORKs, General Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or retirement. Your eligibility and benefit amount is determined based on your income and expenses for your household size.
“Clients will say to me, ‘I’ve been working here my whole life, and I never knew about CalFresh.’ They never knew there was this benefit. One client was already 67 when they learned about CalFresh. They lost their job at 60 and said they had no income at all. Those calls are very emotional.” – Anita Li, fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, Taishanese
Can CalFresh affect my immigration status?
If you are concerned that applying for CalFresh will affect your immigration status, please schedule an appointment to talk to a Second Harvest staff member. We can discuss all available food assistance options with you.
Can I get CalFresh if I don’t have kids?
Yes, people who do not have children can get CalFresh.
Can I get CalFresh as a college student?
Yes, many college students can get CalFresh if they meet student requirements.
Can I get CalFresh if I am not a legal resident or citizen?
To qualify, at least one household member must be a legal resident or citizen, even if that person is a child. Sponsored immigrants may be eligible.
Can I get CalFresh if I own my home or a car?
Yes, you can own your home or a car and have savings and still be eligible.
Can I reapply for CalFresh if I was denied?
Yes, even if you have applied for CalFresh before and were denied, we encourage you to try again. Income requirements are adjusted every year, and your personal household situation may have changed since you last applied.
Does CalFresh take my fingerprints?
No, fingerprinting is no longer required to get CalFresh.
“I like when people tell me about the meals they made for their family after receiving CalFresh. It makes me feel good to know that we played a small part in bringing nourishment and comfort to their table during a difficult time.”
— Patrick, bilingual in Tagalog and English
Living here is expensive. Getting healthy food doesn’t have to be.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley’s Food Connection hotline has been a lifeline for people seeking nutritious food since 1988. Hotline staff connect callers to sources of free food near where they live and work and can help callers apply for CalFresh benefits. Hotline staff speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and Tagalog. Three-way interpretation is available for other languages so we can serve anyone who needs help. Last year we received an average of 188 calls per day.
For more information on CalFresh, call Second Harvest’s Food Connection hotline at 1-800-984-3663.
Call us Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PST. We can answer your questions and help you apply.
