The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as CalFresh in California, is one of the most effective ways to combat childhood hunger in America. The CalFresh program supplements a family’s food budget in order to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition.
CalFresh is proud to play a critical role in reducing hunger and poverty and improving health by providing nutrition assistance to millions of low-income households through an array of vital services. CalFresh has the power to reduce hunger, support health, expand opportunity, and even respond to disasters. CalFresh provides monthly benefits to help households purchase the food they need if eligible.
Who Is Eligible
A CalFresh Household may be a family, an individual, or any combination that purchases food and prepares meals together. A child living with parents cannot be a separate household until age 22.
Citizens of the United States or non-citizens who are legally residing in the U.S. are eligible to apply for CalFresh. Non-citizen parents may be able to receive benefits for their children who are citizens. Some income and property limits are reviewed to see if the CalFresh household is eligible. Property used as a home is exempt from property limits.
California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is a state-funded program for legal permanent non-citizens legally present in the U.S. and determined ineligible for federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits solely due to their immigration status.
Pandemic EBT
Families that receive Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) could also qualify for CalFresh Food benefits. P-EBT cards are automatically sent to eligible families based on information from other programs, including CalFresh Food benefits and free or reduced-price school meals. You can apply for CalFresh Food benefits at GetCalFresh.org.
**You do not need to apply for P-EBT**
Public Charge
Public charge rules do not apply to programs like CalFresh, Pandemic EBT, WIC, and school meal programs. Getting CalFresh will not affect your immigration status, or your chances of getting legal permanent residency in the future. For more information about immigration and public benefits, visit KeepYourBenefits.org.
**CalFresh & P-EBT food benefits will NOT risk your Immigration Status**
RESOURCES
CONTACT
If you are an individual or family, we encourage you to apply online at GetCalFresh.org, www.BenefitsCal.com, or contact your county social services agency.
For immediate food assistance, find your local food bank. You can also call 2-1-1, a resource helpline for referrals for childcare, affordable housing or shelter, cash assistance, healthcare and more.
Talk to a local expert on public benefits and immigration. Immigrants who can get CalFresh benefits still need to meet the regular CalFresh income guidelines.
For more information and resources visit the CalFresh Program website. This resource was designed to assist county eligibility workers and other partners who provide services to the public.
If you are a program operator at a school district or community organization, we offer resources and technical assistance. Please contact us at NoKidHungryCA@strength.org
*Last updated on January 13, 2022