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How much CalFresh will I get?
Apply for CalFresh Today!
The amount you get depends on your income and
expenses. You may qualify to get up to:
You can apply for CalFresh in the county
where you live. CalFresh Grant Guidelines October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015
You can ask for an application for CalFresh by
phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your
county social services office. Household Size
Maximum Monthly
CalFresh Allotment
1
$194
2
$357
3
$511
4
$649
5
$771
6
$925
7
$1,022
8
$1,169
+ 1 Member
+ $146
If you live in L.A. County, you can apply online
at: https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/
ybn/Index.html or you can download an
application at: www.dss.cahwnet.gov/
foodstamps/. Want to get more food
for you and your family?
For more information about CalFresh, how to
find your local CalFresh office or nearest
outreach site, and how to apply, call the L.A.
County Department of Public Social Services
(DPSS) at (877) 597-4777. If you need help applying for CalFresh or are
having trouble with your CalFresh case, call an
advocate or attorney.
How can I use my CalFresh?
CalFresh benefits are put on an Electronic
Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
You can use the EBT card at grocery stores like
a debit card by entering your Personal
Identification Number (PIN).
CalFresh can be used to buy non-prepared
foods. If you are homeless, disabled, or elderly
(60+), you can use your EBT card at certain
restaurants to buy hot prepared meals. CalFresh cannot be used to buy alcohol,
tobacco, or toiletries.
Many L.A. County Farmers’ Markets accept the
EBT card and are a great source of fresh fruits
and vegetables.
CalFresh can help put
food on the table.
CalFresh is the new name for Food
Stamps in California Learn more at publiccounsel.org
This brochure is for informational purposes ONLY.
Nothing in this brochure should be construed as legal
advice. If you have questions about your benefits,
please consult an attorney.
You may qualify for CalFresh, even if you
have a full- or part time job. CalFresh will stretch a tight food budget
to keep you and your family well-fed and
healthy.
How much money can I have
and still get CalFresh?
If your income is less than the amount on this chart,
you may qualify for CalFresh.
CalFresh Income Guidelines October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015
Household Size
Maximum Gross
Monthly Income
1
$1,915
2
$2,585
3
$3,255
4
$3,925
5
$4,595
6
$5,265
7
$5,935
8
$6,605
+ 1 Member
+ $670
You can have income from a full- or part-time
job, unemployment benefits, General Relief, or
CalWORKs and still get CalFresh.
If you are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or if
you get Medi-Cal, you may qualify for CalFresh
even if your income is higher than listed above. You may qualify for Expedited CalFresh if: You have less than $100 in accessible
resources or $150 in gross monthly income; Your combined monthly gross income and
accessible resources are less than your
monthly utility and rent/mortgage; or You are a destitute migrant/seasonal farm
worker whose accessible resources are less
than $100.
What about things I own?
Struggling households can keep their savings for a
rainy day. If you are applying for CalFresh only, you
may qualify even if you have cash on hand, money in
the bank, own a car, or own any property.
Who can’t get CalFresh?
Proof of income (pay stubs, benefits check, or
bank statements if you get direct deposit). Proof of where you live. Rent receipt or mortgage payment (if you pay for
housing). Utility bills (if you pay for your utilities).
Car registration (if you own a car).
Full-time college students may not be able to get
CalFresh, unless they meet special rules.
Receipt for child care costs (if you pay for
childcare). SSI recipients cannot get CalFresh.
SSI recipients who are on “suspended
status” may be eligible for CalFresh. SSDI and Social Security recipients may be
eligible for CalFresh depending on their
monthly income and cost of living.
Social Security Numbers - only for eligible
household members.
Parole or probation violators and fleeing felons
cannot get CalFresh. Special Note: Before, persons with certain drug felony
convictions could not apply for CalFresh. As
of April 1, 2015, they can if they meet certain
requirements.
What documents do I need?
Identification, like a driver’s license or state ID. Also acceptable are Social Security card;
work/school ID; health benefits ID; voter
registration card; wage stub; birth certificate;
U.S. passport; credit/check cashing cards;
USCIS documents; and Mexican or Argentine
Consular IDs. If you do not have an ID, you can prove your
identity using a “collateral contact.” This is a
person who knows you, such as a relative,
neighbor, employer, or landlord.
Proof of Immigration Status – only for eligible
household members.
Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens
may get CalFresh.
Eligible non-citizens include: LPRs; residents
under INA §101(a)(15); PRUCOL; refugees;
asylees; Cuban and Haitian entrants; persons
granted withholding of deportation or
removal; persons with a pending VAWA
petition; parolees under INA §212(d)(5) for at
least one year; conditional entrants; Amnesty
Aliens who are not SSI-aged/blind/disabled
and were granted Temporary Resident status
at least 5 years before applying for CalFresh.
When will I get my benefits?
A county must verify your eligibility for CalFresh
within 30 days - BUT: you must provide all the
necessary documents timely. If you are approved for CalFresh, your benefits
will date back to the day you applied. L.A. County’s policy is to give same-day
Expedited CalFresh “whenever possible,” but the
County may take up to 3 days to do so.