Second Harvest of Silicon Valley not only refers community members to free groceries at nearby food distributions and pantries, but we can also help you apply for CalFresh (also called SNAP or EBT, formerly known as food stamps).
Why is it important to connect callers to CalFresh benefits?
Director of Services Kelly Chew says it best: “CalFresh is the solution for the general public because it gives you the most flexibility. CalFresh can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. You can use CalFresh at so many stores and even online. You can even have the CalFresh food shipped to your door from the grocery store. CalFresh is the best solution to addressing hunger in general. It is supplemental to our food.
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 nutrition program, funded by the 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. The CalFresh Program is federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outside of California.
How can I maximize my CalFresh benefits?
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.
The amount of money you get from CalFresh changes depending on your gross income, net income and household size. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley can help you get the most out of your benefits.
As of April 2023, the CalFresh minimum monthly benefit is $23 and the maximum benefit can be as high as $939 for a family of four. With any CalFresh benefit amount, you can buy fresh, healthy food at most stores and farmers markets. And while $23 might not seem like much, you can use the grocery list and recipes below to make eight nutritious and filling meals for under $20!
How can I apply for CalFresh?
Our Food Connection team can help answer your questions directly, and help you apply. Visit our Apply for CalFresh page to learn more. If you are ready to apply now, visit the CalFresh online application.
What to Expect Next?
Visit our CalFresh page to understand what to expect in the application process:
Expect a phone call or mail within 14 days.
Get Money
If you are approved for CalFresh, you will get an EBT card for groceries within 10 days of approval.
Buy Groceries
EBT cards work in most food stores, online and at some farmers markets.
“We get a lot of calls about CalFresh because people want to be helped with the application. They love our services.” – 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, internet 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 and the CA Fruit & Veggie EBT Pilot, which double your CalFresh dollars when buying select fruits and vegetables from participating stores and farmers’ markets
What can I buy with my CalFresh EBT card?
CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase any food EXCEPT 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 this current cycle, here are the maximum monthly asset limits:
| People in Household | Gross Monthly Income | Net Monthly Income | Maximum CalFresh Allotment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,266 | $1,133 | $281 |
| 2 | $3,052 | $1,526 | $516 |
| 3 | $3,840 | $1,920 | $740 |
| 4 | $4,626 | $2,313 | $939 |
| 5 | $5,412 | $2,706 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $6,200 | $3,100 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $6,986 | $3,493 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $7,772 | $3,886 | $1,691 |
| Each additional member | +$758 | +$394 | +$211 |
Do I have to pay CalFresh back?
No, you will not have to pay any money back unless you are overpaid.
Do CalFresh benefits roll over each month?
Yes, any balance remaining on your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card will roll over to the following month. Your benefits won’t be adjusted or reduced because you aren’t using the full amount every month.
Do you have to pay taxes on CalFresh?
No, you do not need to report CalFresh on your tax return.
Does CalFresh count as income?
No, CalFresh allotments made to each household are not counted as taxable income.
Do I need to show proof of income when applying for CalFresh?
Earned and unearned income must be reported. If you need help getting documentation, you should discuss your needs with the CalFresh case worker during the interview.
Who can 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.
“A senior called to apply for CalFresh and had just picked up free groceries at a Second Harvest distribution site. He was a senior and lost his job during the pandemic. He was also going to a community college to learn English. He said it would help him adapt to American life easily if he could speak a bit of English. He said he was very grateful that I not only assisted him in the application and followed up, but also listened to his situation without any judgement.” -Quy, bilingual in Vietnamese and English
Can CalFresh affect my immigration status?
No, CalFresh will not harm your ability to become a legal resident or citizen.
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.
Will CalFresh hurt my children’s future?
No, your children will not be negatively impacted if you receive CalFresh.
- Your children will not have to serve in the military if you receive CalFresh.
- Your children will not have to pay back your CalFresh benefits at any time.
- Your children will not be taken away from you.
Can I reapply for CalFresh if I was denied?
Yes, even if you have applied for CalFresh before and were denied, you should try again. New laws have passed to make it easier.
Does CalFresh take my fingerprints?
No, fingerprinting is no longer required to get CalFresh.
“I like when people say, ‘I want to cancel my CalFresh.’ They’re actually cancelling to say, ‘Oh we’re okay now.’ When we help them get through the things they are going through, eventually, they will get back on their feet and that makes me feel good.”
— 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 can serve seven callers at once and speak six different languages. Our staff also work with a third-party translation service so we can serve anyone who needs help. Last year we received an average of 200+ 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.