CalFresh

SDHC's annual CalFresh Outreach Award winners:

• Daniela Solano from the San Diego Food Bank was voted Community-Based Organization Advocate of the Year!
• Silvia Camacho from the El Cajon Family Resource Center was voted FRC Liaison of the Year!
• South Bay FRC and Chula Vista Community Collaborative were voted Collaboration of the Year!

General Overview

Known to many as Food Stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps individuals and families purchase the food they need. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Federal level through the Food and Nutrition Service. In California, counties are responsible for ensuring these benefits are administered efficiently and effectively.

California's food stamp program now has a new name, CalFresh, which officials hope will encourage more people to apply for the nutrition benefit. The rebranding of food stamps is the latest in a series of efforts to increase participation in the federal program.

Whether you live alone or live with others, whether you have children or not, whether you are working or not, sometimes you just can’t pay all the bills and still have money for food.
CalFresh benefits provide families and individuals in need an opportunity to stretch their food budgets.

San Diego Hunger Coalition and the CalFresh Program
SDHC provides training, outreach resources and on-going consultation to more than 45 organizations across the county working to enroll individuals in the CalFresh program. In partnership with the County of San Diego Health & Human Service Agency (HHSA), local food pantries and other community-based organizations, the San Diego Hunger Coalition launched the Food Stamp Taskforce. In leading this taskforce, we help identify barriers to access, educate community outreach partners about CalFresh policies and procedures, and provide HHSA with feedback and best practices for increasing eligible enrollment.

What do CalFresh benefits look like?
When you receive CalFresh, you will be assigned an account and a plastic card called an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Each month, your CalFresh benefits are put into your account and you can use your EBT card at most major grocery stores, convenience stores, markets and even some farmer’s markets. The card is used the same way someone would buy food with a bankcard or a credit card. The cost of the food is automatically deducted from your CalFresh account. You can check your account balance by calling the number on the back of your card.

What can I buy with my CalFresh benefits?
You can purchase any food EXCEPT heated foods. Tobacco, alcohol, pet food and toiletries are not permissible. For a comprehensive list of permissible foods, please click here.

If you would like information on how to stretch your CalFresh dollars, click here to read "Eating Right When Money's Tight: Stretching Your Food Stamp Dollars". The brochure is also available in Spanish.

Where can I shop with by EBT card?
To find an authorized CalFresh retailer near you, click here. Next, click on the "Select Location" button and enter a starting location (enter city & state, zip code or a full address). Position your cursor over a map point or use the table below the map to get details. (Data as of April 30, 2010)

Who qualifies and who does not?
You must meet income guidelines to receive CalFresh. Even if you are working, you may still qualify.

Individuals who receive SSI/SSP assistance and undocumented residents are not eligible for CalFresh. However, other family members in your household who are legal U.S. residents or citizens might be eligible. Other people in your home that do not get SSI may still qualify.

How can I apply for CalFresh?

Apply online via BenefitsCalWin.org https://www.benefitscalwin.org/  or
Apply via mail, fax or email – see the San Diego County website for more information http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/ssp/food_stamps/  or
Apply in person at a County office (link to HHSA website)
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/ssp/food_stamps/  or
Apply with one of our outreach partners who can assist you with prescreening, application and follow up – See the list here English & Spanish 

CalFresh Outreach Partners (English)

CalFresh Outreach Partners (Spanish)

For forms in other languages, please click here.

What do I need to submit with my application?
See the list of verifications attached here in English and Spanish. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your situation, but this list is a great place to start.

Verification List English:    sites/default/files/u17/Verification%20List%20ENG.pdf

Lista de VERIFICACIÓN  sites/default/files/u17/Verification%20List%20SPN.pdf

I need help with the process
The San Diego Hunger Coalition partners with local food pantries and organizations to pre-screen potential CalFresh applicants and assist with the application process. Many of our partners offer multilingual services. If you need help with the screening tool, the application process, or maintaining your benefits, you may contact SDHC for help locating one of our trained community-based partners. 

How long can I receive CalFresh benefits?
Eligibility is based upon income and household size.

If you are a CalFresh recipient, you will be required to fill out a quarterly report.