This week comes with good news for residents in California, as a new payment from the CalFresh program will reach beneficiaries soon. CalFresh is the California food stamp program that operates similarly to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in other states, with the same goal of providing low-income families with financial assistance to purchase healthful household food. The concept seeks to enhance access to nutritious meals and alleviate food insecurity by providing a monthly direct deposit via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that may be used at participating grocery stores, subject to the usual limits. The EBT card cannot be used to pay for hot prepared foods, vitamins, alcoholic beverages, non-food products like pet food and household supplies, tobacco, supplements, and non-food commodities.
When will eligible recipients receive their CalFresh benefits in January 2025?
The first 10 days of every month are when CalFresh payments are disbursed, and your case number should appear on the majority of the paperwork you receive from your county. You can access an online BenefitsCal account as well. In California, CalFresh benefit distribution dates are provided consecutively during the first 10 days of each month and are determined by the last digit of the recipient’s case number.
- January 1st: the last digit of the case number ends in 1
- January 2nd: the last digit of the case number ends in 2
- January 3rd: the last digit of the case number ends in 3
- January 4th: the last digit of the case number ends in 4
- January 5th: the last digit of the case number ends in 5
- January 6th: the last digit of the case number ends in 6
- January 7th: the last digit of the case number ends in 7
- January 8th: the last digit of the case number ends in 8
- January 9th: the last digit of the case number ends in 9
- January 10th: the last digit of the case number ends in 0
It is important to highlight that CalFresh recipients should plan, use approved retailers, and avoid non-approved purchases to ensure proper benefits application and avoid penalties or disruptions.
How can you become eligible for the CalFresh program?
According to the CalFresh program, candidates interested in receiving this benefit will need to meet the following requirements:
- Get General Relief or CalWORKS.
- Make little or no money
- possess a small amount of property
- Get your State Supplementary Payment or Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSP).
- are citizens or lawful residents of the United States
- An immigrant who fulfills the following requirements:
- Under the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP), eligible non-citizen victims of human trafficking who have applied for or plan to apply for a T-Visa, as well as victims of domestic abuse and other serious crimes who have applied for a U-Visa, can receive financial aid, food assistance, employment services, and health care assistance.
Keep in mind that applying for CalFresh assistance does not require a Social Security number from T-Visa, U-Visa non-citizens, or Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) self-petitioners. They must, however, fulfill additional CalFresh eligibility standards, like having a certain income.
Which methods are available to apply for CalFresh benefits?
Additionally, you can use the following techniques to apply for CalFresh benefits:
- You can do so in person with any CalFresh Outreach partners,
- via a drop box at any DPSS District Office,
- by mail to any nearby DPSS District Office,
- or by fax at (310) 215-8220.
Lastly, don’t forget that if you need to contact the program’s customer service operation, it will only be available between 7:30 am and 6:30 pm from Monday to Friday. To apply for CalFresh online without internet access, please use this link to locate the internet hotspots nearest you!