How to Apply for CalFresh

Are you a low-income resident of California? If so, you may qualify for the CalFresh program. If you are accepted into the program, you will receive monthly financial aid to buy nutritious food for you and your family. With...

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      ID Guidelines

    • U.S. Driver License
    • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
    • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
    • U.S. Passport/U.S. Territory Passport
    • Foreign Passport
    • U.S. government, military, state or Tribal issued-ID, which includes date of birth and/or Social Security Number and/or Tribal ID
    • U.S. Military ID cards (active or reserve duty, dependent of a military member, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)
    • Common Access Card (only if designated as Active Military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)
    • Military Discharge documentation, which includes date of birth and/or Social Security Number and/or Tribal ID
    • Northern Mariana Card
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • Permanent Resident Alien Card
    • Permanent Resident Re-Entry Permit
    • Temporary Resident Identification Card
    • Employment Authorization Card
    • Mexican Consular Card (Matricula Consular - 2006, 2014, 2015 and later versions)

     

    *All forms of ID must be valid and used before expiration date.

    Qualify by income and provide one of the following as proof.

    • Prior Year’s State, Federal or Tribal Tax Return
    • Unemployment/Workers' Compensation Benefits Statement
    • Divorce Decree or Child Support Documents
    • Veterans Administration Benefits Statement
    • Current Income Statement from Employer or Paycheck Stubs
    • Retirement/Pension Benefits Statement
    • Social Security Benefits Statement

    Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)

    BIA Award letter, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program,
    • Name of the beneficiary
    • Address of the beneficiary
    • Date of the award

    Tribal Head Start

    Head Start Award letter, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program,
    • Name of the beneficiary
    • Address of the beneficiary
    • Date of the award

    Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

    TANF Award letter, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program,
    • Name of the beneficiary
    • Address of the beneficiary
    • Date of the award

    Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

    Notice of Action (award letter) acknowledging eligibility for FDPIR benefits;

    • Name of the beneficiary;
    • The beginning and ending dates of the award or certification period; and
    • The telephone number of the Food Distribution Program office, and the name and address of the person to contact for additional information.

    OR

    FDPIR participation documents(e.g., a benefit card or copy of a benefit card);

    • Name of the beneficiary
    • The beginning and ending dates of the award or certification period; and
    • The telephone number of the Food Distribution Program office, and the name and address of the person to contact for additional information.

    Lifeline Program

    Due to sharing many of the same eligibility requirements those currently enrolled in the lifeline program may qualify for The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) also.

     

    Medi-Cal / Medicaid

    Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program or state equivalent,
    • Name of the beneficiary,
    • Address of the beneficiary, and
    • Date of the award

    OR

    Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program or state equivalent,
    • Name of the beneficiary
    • Medical Identification number, OR
    • Case number,
    • Eligibility dates, OR
    • Current participation status

    CalFresh / Food Stamps / SNAP

    Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program,
    • Name of the beneficiary,
    • Eligibility dates, OR
    • Current participation status

    OR

    Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program or state equivalent,
    • Name of the beneficiary,
    • Case number,
    • Eligibility dates, OR
    • Current participation status

    Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

    Pension Grant Letter should contain the following basic information:

    • Participant’s name
    • Address
    • A decision about the participant’s monthly entitlement amount
    • Payment start date

    Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

    FPHA award letter should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program,
    • Date of the award,
    • Name of the beneficiary, and
    • Award amount.

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

    Approval Letter or Benefit Statement issued by the SSA or on SSA letterhead.

    • Consumer’s name
    • Date
    • Eligibility Date
    • Claim number OR Other consumer identification number
    • Payment amount

    Medicaid / Medi-Cal

    Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program or state equivalent,
    • Name of the beneficiary,
    • Address of the beneficiary, and
    • Date of the award

    OR

    Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program or state equivalent,
    • Name of the beneficiary
    • Medical Identification number, OR
    • Case number,
    • Eligibility dates, OR
    • Current participation status

    SNAP / Food Stamps / CalFresh

    Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program,
    • Name of the beneficiary,
    • Eligibility dates, OR
    • Current participation status

    OR

    Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool should contain the following basic information:

    • Name of the program or state equivalent,
    • Name of the beneficiary,
    • Case number,
    • Eligibility dates, OR
    • Current participation status

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      Eligibility Documents

    • Current or prior year's statement of benefits from a qualifying state, federal or Tribal Program.
    • Notice letter of participation in a qualifying state, federal or Tribal Program.
    • Program participation documents.
    • Another official document evidencing the consumer's participation in a qualifying state, federal or Tribal Program.
    • Unemployment Documentation (notice of unemployment benefit payment or notice of successfully submitted application for unemployment benefits)
    • Copy of last year's State or Federal income tax return.
    • 3 consecutive months' worth of your most current pay stubs.
    • Social Security benefits statement. Veterans Administration benefits statement.
    • Retirement/Pension benefits statement.
    • Divorce decree or child support document.
    • Unemployment/Workers' Compensation benefits statement.

    Income Guidelines

    Persons in Household Most States* California
    1 $18,347 $28,700
    2 $24,719 $28,700
    3 $31,091 $33,300
    4 $37,463 $40,600
    5 $43,835 $47,900
    6 $50,207 $55,200
    7 $56,579 $62,900
    8 $62,951 $69,800
    For each add'l person, add $6,129 $7,300

    *Based on 135% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Guideline.
    *California Poverty Guideline effective June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.
    Note: Some states have different income guidelines.

    If you, or one of your dependents, participate in one of these programs, your household may be eligible for the federal government Lifeline supported benefits.

      Government Programs

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    Medicaid Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
    Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
    Tribally Administered TANF Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
    Tribally Administered Head Start (Meeting the income-qualifying standards of Head Start)