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Your county handles applications, interviews, and benefit decisions. Use this tool to find contact information for your local county office.
- The information on this page is current as of July 2, 2025.
- The information on this page is current as of July 2, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
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Applying for CalFresh
What’s BenefitsCal?
BenefitsCal is the State of California’s official online benefits application. You can use it to apply for food benefits (CalFresh), cash aid (CalWORKs), and health coverage (Medi-Cal).
How quickly will I get benefits?
Your county has 30 days to approve or deny your case. You might qualify for faster, expedited service if you have a very low income and few resources. If it’s been more than two weeks and you haven’t gotten any mail or phone calls from your county, or you want to contact your county office, you can find their phone number here.
I just lost my job - how does that affect my application for CalFresh?
You can definitely apply for CalFresh if you just lost your job. If your income recently stopped, your county will only count any final payments you got in the last 30 days to calculate how much CalFresh you will receive in the first month. If you still have any income, your ongoing benefits will be based only on that income, not income that has stopped. You should provide proof of any money you got in the last 30 days if you can.
It isn’t required, but it can be helpful to provide any proof you have that your income has stopped. This could be a letter, or a screenshot of an email or text from your employer that explains that you are no longer working. If you can’t get proof, write a letter that explains that you aren’t working. Make sure to include the last date you worked, and sign and date it.
If I still have a job but don’t have hours and am not getting paid, what do I put for my income?
If your income has decreased or stopped, you can upload proof of income for the last 30 days through BenefitsCal here. If your income went up and you aren’t sure if you need to report changes, you can call your county to get more information. You can find their contact information here.
What do I need to know about CalFresh and unemployment benefits?
You can get CalFresh and unemployment benefits at the same time, as long as the amount of money you get from unemployment isn’t over the CalFresh income limits. Getting CalFresh won’t affect how much money you get from unemployment.
If you applied for unemployment but haven’t gotten money from unemployment yet, you don’t have to report it on your CalFresh application. If you get CalFresh right now and have started receiving unemployment or the amount you get has changed, we recommend reaching out to your county CalFresh office to let them know about your income changes. They will give you next steps based on your situation.
What documents should I submit with my application?
The documents you need to submit depends on your situation. When you apply on GetCalFresh.org, you will be given a list of recommended documents to submit. These documents are usually required to get CalFresh:
- A copy of your ID
- Proof of any income
- Proof of immigration status (for non-citizens)
- Proof of student status (for college students). For example, a class schedule, enrollment letter, or financial aid award letter
These documents are optional but can increase your benefit amount:
- Proof of housing expenses
- Proof of child support that you pay
- Proof of child/dependent care that you pay for
- If you are 60+ or disabled, proof of medical expenses.
If you can’t get proof, the CalFresh office will generally accept a written statement explaining your situation – make sure it is signed and dated.
Using and keeping CalFresh
Can I use my EBT card online?
Great news! You can use your EBT card to purchase groceries online at Amazon, Instacart, and Walmart. Visit Amazon, Instacart, or Walmart to learn more about how it works. Unfortunately, you can’t use CalFresh to pay for delivery. California is working to expand access to more grocery stores — check back for updates.
Do I need to tell the county if I recently moved?
If you know you will not return to your old address, you can call your county to let them know you have moved. You can find their contact information here.
How do I report changes to my income?
If your income has decreased or stopped, you can upload proof of income for the last 30 days through BenefitsCal here. Your county will give you more information about when you have to report increases in income. If your income went up and you aren’t sure if you need to report changes, you can call your county to get more information.
Do I need to submit renewal reports such as the SAR 7?
Yes, Semi-Annual Reports (SAR 7s) for CalFresh are usually due six months after your application. For example: Your SAR 7 would be due in June if you applied for CalFresh in January (unless everyone in your household is 60+ or disabled). If you have questions about when your SAR 7 is due, call your county office.
Replace lost or damaged food
Can I replace lost or damaged food?
Yes. You can request replacement benefits for food that:
- You bought using CalFresh and
- You lost or had damaged in an emergency (fire, natural disaster, power outages, etc.).
You have 10 days from the time of an emergency to report food loss unless the state of California grants an extension.
How do I request replacement benefits?
Follow these steps:
- Download the form: Replacement or Disaster Supplement Affidavit (CF 303)
- Fill out the form: You may do this electronically. You may also print it and fill it out.
- Submit your form: Go to BenefitsCal.com to upload your form. You can also deliver the form to your county office address by mail or fax. Or, you may go to your county office in person to fill out and submit a paper form.
Immigrants
Which immigrants can get CalFresh?
Many immigrants can get CalFresh.
- Has citizenship
- Has a green card (for any length of time)
- Has refugee or asylum status
- Has parolee status for at least one year (Ukrainian parolees may qualify before one year)
- Has, or is applying for, a U-Visa or T-Visa
- Is an applicant for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) relief
- Is a Cuban or Haitian entrant
Is an Afghan entering with special Immigrant VISA (SIV), (SQ/SI) Parole, or other forms of humanitarian parole - Is Hmong/Laotian or American Indian born in Canada
- Is a citizen of Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau. Also known as Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens
An individual does not qualify for CalFresh if:
- They are here on a student, work, or tourist visa
- They are here under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
They are here under TPS (Temporary Protected Status), unless they meet the other qualifying factors - They are undocumented
If you are not eligible because of your immigration status, you can always apply on behalf of other household members, like U.S. born children.
If you don’t see your immigration status here, talk to a local expert on public benefits and immigration. Immigrants who can get CalFresh benefits still need to meet the regular CalFresh income guidelines.
What if some people in my household qualify and others don’t?
Many households have some people who qualify and some who don’t. Make sure to include everyone in your household on your application — CalFresh will only grant benefits to people who qualify.
Am I eligible for benefits if I just got my green card?
Yes, new green-card holders are still eligible for benefits! There is no 5-year waiting period for green-card holders to receive CalFresh benefits in California. You can apply as soon as you get your green card, and getting CalFresh will not be counted against you in citizenship determinations.
What happens after I submit my application?
After you submit your application, your local CalFresh office may reach out to you to schedule an interview. The interview may not be required if you submitted proof of ID for everyone in your household and any other necessary documents. An interview is required if your case worker has any questions about your application, or if they need more documents from you. If you are missing any documents, the case worker will let you know what to submit.
What documents will I need to provide to get CalFresh?
These documents are usually required to get CalFresh:
- A copy of your ID (like a driver’s license, consular ID, passport from another country)
- Proof of any income from the last 30 days (like paystubs or a letter explaining how much you earn)
- For college students: copy of financial aid award letter and class schedule
Immigrants may also be asked to provide proof of status to get benefits:
- Copy of your green card (both sides)
- A copy of your most recent paperwork for a U Visa, T Visa, Asylum, Refugee or Parolee status, or VAWA petition
- Naturalized U.S. Citizens may be asked to provide a copy of their US passport or naturalization papers
Important: If you are only applying for other people in your household, you don’t have to provide proof of your immigration status.
These documents are optional but can increase your benefit amount:
- Proof of housing expenses, like rent costs
- Proof of child support paid
- Proof of medical expenses for people who are 60+ and/or have a disability
What if I can’t get the proof? Tell your case worker during your CalFresh applicant interview. CalFresh will generally accept a sworn statement as a last resort if you cannot get the documents needed.
If someone in my family is undocumented, can I still apply for CalFresh?
Yes, you can apply for CalFresh even if someone in your family is undocumented. Here are a few helpful points to consider:
- As of March 9, 2021 the CalFresh program is not considered for public charge. This means that getting CalFresh will not be counted against you when you apply for a green card. CalFresh also does not count against you if you apply for citizenship.
- It is common for an undocumented parent to apply for children who have citizenship or eligible immigrant status.
- Be honest about your immigration situation (and everything else) when applying for CalFresh. Remember, you do not have to provide proof of immigration status for anyone who is not applying for benefits for themselves.
Can I apply if everyone in my household is undocumented?
Unfortunately, no. Undocumented individuals are not eligible for CalFresh. If you are undocumented and have children or other household members who have citizenship or eligible immigrant status, you can apply for them.
Some immigrants, like green card holders (legal permanent residents), U or T visa applicants, and survivors of human trafficking, may be eligible for CalFresh before they have Social Security numbers.They can still get CalFresh, so be sure your case worker knows if they want to be included.
You can also contact your local food bank for more information about community food help.
Does getting CalFresh hurt my immigration status or make me a public charge?
No! As of March 9, 2021 CalFresh is not considered a public charge program. This means that getting CalFresh will not be counted against you when you apply for a green card. CalFresh also does not count against you if you apply for citizenship.
Does getting CalFresh affect my ability to get citizenship or a green card?
No! As of March 9, 2021 CalFresh is not considered a public charge program. This means that getting CalFresh will not be counted against you when you apply for a green card. CalFresh also does not count against you if you apply for citizenship.
How will my personal information be used?
If you are applying for benefits only for another person in your family or household, you do not have to share your immigration status with CalFresh. The CalFresh office may share information with other government agencies like Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration.
I need more information
If you have other questions or have concerns about any of this information, talk to us on our live chat.
Need help before applying?
If you have questions about documents, the interview, or your specific situation, our CalFresh team can help.
