CalFresh, California’s nutrition assistance program, continues to distribute funds to low-income individuals and families seeking access to healthy foods. With benefits that can reach up to $1,756 per month for households of eight members, this program, which is part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits) at the federal level, only received a name, let’s say, “original” in California, because in everything else it works the same as in the entire country.
CalFresh is intended for individuals and families who meet certain eligibility criteria, primarily based on income and household size. Typical recipients include families with children, seniors, college students who meet specific requirements, homeless individuals, and adults with limited incomes.
How CalFresh/SNAP benefits are distributed
Once approved for CalFresh, beneficiaries receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works similarly to a debit card. This card can be used to purchase eligible groceries at a wide variety of establishments, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and authorized online retailers, including Amazon, Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart.
You can find here which stores are authorized by the US Department of Agriculture, where you can buy fresh and non-perishable groceries with the money they deposit each month on your Golden State Advantage EBT card.
There are 5 rounds of CalFresh benefit payments left this month
Benefits are distributed during the first ten days of each month, and the exact deposit date depends on the last digit of the beneficiary’s case number. The deposit schedule is detailed below, based on the last digit of the case number with which the benefits to the recipient household were approved:
- Case number ending in 6: Benefits available on February 6.
- Case number ending in 7: Benefits available on February 7.
- Case number ending in 8: Benefits available on February 8.
- Case number ending in 9: Benefits available on February 9.
- Case number ending in 0: Benefits available on February 10.
Maximum CalFresh benefit amounts for 2025
CalFresh benefit amounts vary depending on household size and income. For tax year 2025, the maximum monthly payments are as follows:
- 1 person: $292
- 2 people: $536
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $975
- 5 people: $1,158
- 6 people: $1,390
- 7 people: $1,536
- 8 people: $1,756
- For households with more than eight members, an additional $220 is added for each extra person.
If you want to apply to receive CalFresh benefits, you can go directly to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website where you can start the process at no cost. There you will be directed to one of two official websites: www.getcalfresh.org or BenefitsCal.com. Otherwise, you can call the official helpline 1-877-847-3663.