CalFresh

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CalFresh Don’t Wait to File an Application

CalFresh No Espere a Presentar una Solicitud

The CalFresh program—formerly known as Food Stamps and federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—can add to your food budget so you can put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits (similar to a bank debit card) that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and grocery stores.

CalFresh helps improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing a way to meet their nutritional needs.

At the federal level, CalFresh is administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. In California, it is supervised by the California Department of Social Services and administered locally by each County Welfare Department.

Ways to Apply

there are several ways to apply: 

• Request an application by mail,
• pick one up at any of our county offices,
• print from the link below,
• or apply online.

Applications can be dropped off at Department of Social Services office drop boxes, faxed to 760-924-5431, or mailed to PO Box 2969, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546.

CalFresh Application English | CalFresh Application Spanish

Who May Be Eligible

All U.S. citizens
Most immigrants – Legal Permanent Residents

There are new CalFresh income guidelines for October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025. Each year the USDA adjusts income guidelines based on the cost of living. Applicants previously denied because they were over income should consider reapplying if their income falls within the new limits.

California uses Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE), which allows most households to have gross monthly incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and still meet net monthly income standards. Some households are excluded from MCE and must pass the 130% gross income test.

1 — $2,510
2 — $3,408
3 — $4,304
4 — $5,200
5 — $6,098
6 — $6,994
7 — $7,890
8 — $8,788
Each Additional Member + $898

Eat Fresh

EatFresh.org is playful, engaging, and easy to use. It includes:

• Recipes searchable by food type
• Recipes for crock pots and microwaves
• Ask a Dietitian: submit a question and get an answer
• Nutrition and healthy lifestyle tips
• Ability to text, email, share, and print recipes
• Discussion forums about nutrition or cooking
• Post recipes on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter
• Locations of farmers’ markets that accept EBT and food pantries in your county

Disaster CalFresh

Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh), federally known as the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), helps meet temporary nutritional needs within a 30-day period after a natural disaster such as a flood, fire, or earthquake. Benefits are issued on an EBT card for use at authorized retail stores. D-CalFresh is available only when:

• A Presidential Declaration for Individual Assistance has been made in the affected area
• Commercial food distribution channels have been disrupted and restored
• The State of California has been approved to operate D-CalFresh

If you are a current CalFresh recipient or a new applicant affected by a disaster and meet the requirements below, contact us for details on requesting supplemental disaster benefits.

Household Eligibility Requirements

• Residency: Lived (or in some cases worked) in the disaster area at the time
• Plan to purchase food during the benefit period
• Adverse effect: Damage to home/property, disaster-related expenses, income disruption, or inaccessible liquid resources (may include households that only lost food)
• Income & resources: Income and accessible resources are counted; see current disaster gross income limits

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA policies, USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal/retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be available in alternative formats (Braille, large print, audio, ASL) and languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication should contact the agency where they applied. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) or write a letter with the same information. Submit by:

• Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
• Fax: 202-690-7442
• Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.