CalFresh Application for Food Assistance in California

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CalFresh Application

If you are in California and you are in need of food assistance you have to file CalFresh application in your local County Welfare Department.

The CalFresh application process and eligibility determination for CalFresh are done on the county level.

There are 58 counties, and each county may accept and process CalFresh application in a different way, so the application must be done in local County Welfare Department.

There is a statewide Application for CalFresh Benefits that can be printed from California Department of Social Services website.

Complete all required information and turn your application into the local County Welfare Department office.

You can submit the CalFresh application only with your name, address, and signature – the County Welfare Department office has to accept the application with the current date.

However, providing a complete application will result most likely in a quicker eligibility determination.

You can also apply online at e-benefits California. The site enables California residents to apply for Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) benefits.

A County Welfare Department worker has to interview you to decide if you are eligible for CalFresh benefits.

If eligible, you will start receiving the food assistance benefits from the date the office received your signed application.

I Need Food Stamps Now. It is an Emergency!

Some households may get Expedited Services, as per federal rules – that is food assistance benefits within 7 calendar days if your household has less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources (cash, checking or savings accounts) of $100 or less; or your rent/mortgage and utilities are more than your household’s combined monthly income and liquid resources; or a member of your household is a migrant or seasonal farm worker. In order to get expedite assistance, if you qualify, provide all required information and proof as soon as possible. In California, if the CalFresh applicants qualify for expedited service they can get food stamps within 3 calendar days of the date of applying.

For most assistance programs California residents can visit www.benefitscal.org. The site connects you to applications for CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps), Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) benefits where you can apply online.

CalFresh | Eligibility | Approval | Benefits