CalFresh Eligibility Archives

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.