FAQ CalFresh Food

Subcontractors: use your Community Based Organization (CBO) www.getcalfresh.org(opens in new window) portal account or Referral URL.

Non-subcontractors: use www.getcalfresh.org/?source=chc-cforh(opens in new window)

Community Colleges: use students.getcalfresh.org/?source=ccc(opens in new window)

It depends on how familiar the assister is with GetCalFresh.org(opens in new window) and also on the client’s situation.

Households with more people and more complex income may take longer than a household of one with no income.

CalSAWS is the system in which all counties operate to make eligibility determinations and provide benefits to individuals.

BenefitsCal.com(opens in new window) is the public facing statewide portal in which individuals can apply for benefits and manage their case including viewing notices, their account balance and transactions, upcoming appointments and reports that needs to be completed, receipts for documents that were uploaded, including other functionalities such as how to contact their county worker, replace their stolen or loss EBT card, etc.

GetCalFresh.org(opens in new window) is an additional platform that students and assistors can use for application assistance, and directly feeds into the BenefitsCal system.

We encourage campus partners to continue to utilize GetCalFresh.org(opens in new window) until they officially sunset in 2025. We will provide updates as more information is available on when the transition to BenefitsCal becomes permanent.

If you are assisting with other benefit applications such as Medi-Cal or CalWORKs, you may want to consider signing up for a BenefitsCal Assistor account when your county transitions.

• Does student know how long it's been since they completed their interview?

Inform student where your CalFresh Outreach Office is to receive assistance with paperwork printing, copying, faxing, etc.

• Has student called their case worker or the county to check the status of their application?
• How long has it been since student submitted their verifications?

Inform student they can ask the county office(opens in new window) if their verifications were received and if any are missing.

• Was there a change of address?
• Did student not check their mail for a few weeks?
• Does student want to reapply?

Students have 60 days from date application was submitted until they must reapply. Provide student with referral URL code to www.GetCalFresh.org(opens in new window) if they need to reapply.

• Does student have their case worker's number or county number to call to request a list of their required documents?

Inside the large mailing envelop is a Request for Verification form that will list all required documents. The student may contact their case worker or county(opens in new window) to request new paperwork to be mailed to them.

• Has student completed an interview with the county?
• Has the county requested forms to turn in?
• Did they turn in verifications but haven't heard back?

Check their application date. Did student apply using a referral URL? Was there a recent change in address? Did student miss their interview and didn't reschedule?

• How many times has the student called?
• When was the most recent time student tried to contact case worker?
• When was the last time they spoke to their case worker? Was it during the interview?

Case workers are often difficult to reach due to their impacted schedule. To speak to someone directly about their case, refer students to their county's customer service(opens in new window) department.

• When did the student apply?
• Was an interview waived for the student?
• Did the student receive any paperwork from the county?

Check your CalFresh CBO account to review student application info (date applied, county submitted, etc.)

Provide student with their county number(opens in new window) to call and check the status of their application.

• Has the student recently used their EBT card?
  
  • If yes, inform the student their EBT card balance is available on their receipts.
• Does the sudent still have their EBT card?
  
  • If yes, inform the student their EBT card balance is available by calling the customer service number (877.328.9677) located on the back side of the card.

Benefits are received monthly. Refer the student to the EBT card and reference the set of numbers listed below their name (case number). The last number indicates what day of the month they will receive benefits. (Eg. 3 = 3rd day of the month, 0 = 10th, etc.)

• Did the county inform the student why they were denied? (Student should receive a letter of denial.)
• Did the student complete an interview with a county worker and submit verifications?

If student:

• was told they did not meet the requirements but, after reviewing basic eligibility, you find they do, confirm if their case worker screened them for that.
• did not submit verifications or submitted late, they may contact their case worker and resubmit.
• disagrees with county's decision, they may file a fair hearing(opens in new window) on the back side of their denial notice.
• is above the income threshold, they may reapply if/when their income changes. Refer student to community resources.

• How long has student had benefits?
• When did their benefits stop?
• When was the last time they used/spent their CalFresh benefits?
• Did the student receive renewal paperwork from the county?
  
  • If yes, have they completed the renewal paperwork, and when did they submit it?

Benefits can be stopped if a Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7) or Recertification (RE) is not submitted by a particular deadline. If the SAR 7 or RE is submitted after the deadline, there may be a delay in benefits.

All households will have to complete an interview when they submit a new application. Interviews can be completed in-person or over the phone.

The county eligibility worker will ask questions similar to those on the application. The interview is to confirm what was reported on the application. They may ask additional questions as well. This is also a time for the client to share anything else about their situation.

1. The household can contact the county to reschedule their interview. County contact information can be found on the appointment letter.

2. You can also contact your County Health and Human Services(opens in new window) department. 

3. If you or your client is unable to reach the county, please contact us at CFOResourceHub@csuchico.edu(opens in new window).

Usually, households will be asked to submit a form of identity, citizenship, residency, income, expenses, and student verification if applicable. Households will receive a request for verification detailing what needs to be submitted after their interview.

Sometimes counties can be flexible depending on the situation. Call the county and find out if the household will need to reapply or if they can still submit the remaining verifications.

If a household qualifies for Expedited Service, they can get their CalFresh Food benefits in three days or less.

A household must meet one of the following:

• Have less than $150 of gross monthly income and less than $100 of cash on hand or in their checking or savings accounts; or

• Housing cost (rent/mortgage and utilities) are more than their monthly gross income and cash on hand or in checking or savings accounts; or

• Migrant or seasonal farmworker with less than $100 in checking or savings and their income has stopped, or their income has started but they do not expect to get more than $25 in the next ten days.

The NOA will be mailed to the household’s mailing address on file.

This household can complete the hearings section on the back of their NOA and submit it to the county office.

There are certain people who are considered to be in the same household regardless of whether they purchase and prepare food separately.

• A married couple who lives together; or
• Anyone under 22 and living with their biological, adoptive or stepparents; or
• Unmarried couple living together with a common child.

All income should be reported to the County regardless of its source.

The County Eligibility Worker will make the distinction as to what should be counted as income and what is exempt.

Any source of income that comes from an employment, rental properties, self-employment, stipends for work, etc.

Income that comes from a source other than employment: Social Security, Foster Youth, Unemployment, spousal/child support, Financial Aid, etc.

You may still potentially be eligible to CalFresh Food benefits even if there are household members who are non-citizens.

Many non-citizen immigrants may be eligible including Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) and other qualifying statuses.

• SNAP Non-Citizen Guide (PDF)
• Protecting Immigrant Families(opens in new window)
• USDA and USCIS Joint Letter on Public Charge(opens in new window)
• Public Charge Provider List(opens in new window)

Local legal aid non-profit agencies can be found on the list compiled by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS)(opens in new window)

An older adult for CalFresh is any individual over 60 years old

For an individual to be determined to have a disability for CalFresh Food, they would have to be receiving disability benefits

• The county office cannot determine whether an individual is disabled
• The individual is required to be receiving disability benefits: Social Security, Disability Retirement, Veteran’s Disability compensation, etc.

• These households do not have to meet the gross income test
• They will need to meet the net income test and if they are over, they will need to meet the property resource limit test.

Medical deductions paid out of pocket that will not be reimbursed can be counted as allowable medical expenses. (PDF)

The CF 31 “CalFresh Supplemental Form for Special Medical Deductions”(opens in new window) can help guide what expenses are allowable and what form of proof can be provided.

Yes, Food and/or meals received from food banks and pantries does not make you ineligible for CalFresh Food benefits.

For more information: Additional Info About Meal Plans in Higher Ed(opens in new window)

Yes, they may still be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits.

In communal living environments such as subsidized housing, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, treatment programs, group living arrangements, public or non-public shelters or higher education schools (dorms and including offsite campus housing).

These individuals are not eligible to CalFresh Food benefits in the same month they received food from the FDPIR program.

When the household stops receiving FDPIR benefits, they may potentially be eligible to CalFresh Food benefits if they meet eligibility requirements.

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Utility billing statement
• Identification card with current address
• Collateral contact or any other readily available document that establishes residency

Individuals should apply for CalFresh Food benefits in the county they are currently residing in.

Any individual between the age of 18-49 and attending an institution of higher education at least half time.

The student eligibility rule states that they not only have to meet basic eligibility requirements, but they also have to meet at least one student exemption.

An assessment consisting of a series of questions can be used to review whether a student meets an exemption. Exemptions can be found on the back of this prescreen document (PDF).

State and locally operated programs that have been approved by CDSS to have met the criteria to increase an individual’s employability with their participation.

The California Department of Social Services provides an updated list of all approved Local Educational Programs that Increase Employability. (XLS)

Yes, students can apply in the summer. They will need to meet eligibility requirements.

No. Work study is one of many exemptions that can be used to meet the student eligibility requirements. However, not being approved/or accepted work-study funds does not determine whether you may be potentially eligible for CalFresh. Reference the following prescreening and checklist documents (PDF) to see if a student meets at least 1 of the other exemptions. Verification may need to be provided if determined questionable. 

If yes, the student can continue to receive benefits throughout the summer 

If the student has a recertification (RE) due in the summer, student status will be reevaluated, which means they will need to meet a student exemption. 

If the student has a semi-annual report (SAR 7) due in the summer, student status does not have to be reevaluated.

If yes, do they have a CF RE due in the summer?

• If yes, the student will have to report the move and all household members (including mandatory household members, which will include parents and possibly siblings, and anyone they purchase and prepare food with) 
• If no, the student’s CalFresh benefits should remain uninterrupted 

If the student is not moving back home, no action is needed.

Students are able to use benefits (EBT card) anywhere in the United States.

• If the student moves temporarily out of the county or state, they should report their new mailing address so the county can send them communications if needed
• If the student permanently moves out of the county or state, but they don’t have an RE due, no action is needed
• If the student started working or got a second job, but is under their Income Reporting Threshold (IRT), they do not have to report this increase in income
• If the student’s income did increase and it is over their IRT, they must report this by providing verifications within 10 days to avoid possible overissuances (OI)
• If the student reports changes that are not required to be reported, the county is required to take action, whether that is a possible decrease in benefits, increase in benefits, or a discontinuance

Mid-period refers to the timeframe between application-SAR 7 and SAR 7-RE.

Example: Student applies and receives CalFresh Food benefits in April. This means that their SAR 7 is due September and their RE is due March. Mid-period is May through August and October to February.

Yes, the rule still applies unless they are not enrolled or not planning to enroll in any courses for the upcoming term.

• Student status continues from the first day of the term and continues through breaks (winter, summer, etc.) unless the student graduates, is suspended, expelled, or drops out and does not plan on continuing with school.
• If the student is enrolled for the upcoming term, even if it's to attend graduate school or to finish up their undergraduate courses, they would still be considered a student if enrolled at least half time or more.

Yes, they may need to provide either a copy of their employment contract or a letter from their employer confirming anticipated weekly hours, pay, frequency of pay, type of pay (work study, salary/wages, etc.). This would be considered Reasonably Anticipated Income (RAI) and will be used to determine benefit amounts for the upcoming months if eligible.

• Eligibility for CalFresh will be determined based on when the student applies and when they actually meet an exemption.

A first-time student under the age of 18, who is not anticipated to turn 18 within the application month, does not need to meet the student eligibility rule. They are not considered students until the first day of the term they are enrolled in.

• If eligible and approved, an age and student status change is not required to be reported at semi-annual reporting (SAR7); however, it will need to be reported at recertification (RE).
• Keep in mind that if they are under 22 and living with mandatory household members, they will need to provide all necessary verifications for those individuals as well.

Yes. Anyone who believes they may be eligible can most definitely apply; however, the exemption they are wanting to use may not be applicable during the summer unless participation and services are being provided. The official determination will be made by an eligibility worker.

As for incoming students, if they’ve never participated in the program before and will not do so until the beginning of the next term, depending on their student status, they will have to meet student eligibility rule through another exemption.

Visit our Student Exemptions page(opens in new window) for more information on LPIE.

It depends on when they apply:

If they apply in the summer, before the beginning of the school term, they would be considered a new incoming student. They can report an anticipated change during the application and interview process, but if their application is approved before the start of the term, they are not required to report their student status change until RE.

If they apply in the month of the beginning of the school term, they will be considered a student and will need to provide verification that they meet an exemption in order to potentially be eligible.

Yes, if a student needs to recertify that they are potentially eligible for CalFresh, they need to verify at the time of their recertification that they meet an exemption and are entitled to benefits.

If they do not meet an exemption at the time of their renewal, they may need to reapply at a later date or provide proof showing they meet another exemption.

Be sure to screen the student for other exemptions.

Yes, this is because any on-campus employment position is approved as an LPIE. Employment does not need to meet the 20 hours a week/80 hour a month work rule. Nor does it need to be a work study position.

Yes, as long as the student is enrolled in an LPIE or student exemption by the time of their interview with the County, they can claim the exemption.

The student will need to report any changes to their student status when it is reassessed during the Recertification period.

Since the student has graduated, they may apply during the transitional summer months before starting the master’s program at another college. They are considered a new student entering graduate school at a new campus, therefore not subjected to the student eligibility rule. The student may apply for CalFresh during the summer and not need to meet a student exemption at this time.

No, EFC $0 was a temporary CalFresh student exemption that ended on June 10th, 2023. The student will need to meet another exemption to potentially qualify.

A SAR 7 is a short report that most households must complete to maintain their eligibility for CalFresh Food benefits.

• Most households will have to complete and submit a SAR 7 in the sixth month of receiving their benefits. 
• For households where all adults are over 60 years old or have a disability and no earned income, a SAR 7 is due in months 6, 12, and 18. 
• For households where all adults are over 60 years old or have a disability and earned income, a SAR 7 is due in months 12 and 24. 

The household has 30 days after the report month to submit a completed SAR 7 and verifications, but their benefits for that month will be prorated, so make sure households are submitting their SAR 7’s and verifications timely. 

No. The household only has to submit the report along with verifications of changes. 

• Most households must complete an annual recertification to maintain their CalFresh Food benefits. Recertification happens in the twelfth month of receiving benefits. 
• For households where all adults are over 60 years old or have a disability and no earned income, their recertification is due in month 36. 
• For households where all adults are over 60 years old or have a disability and earned income, their recertification is due in month 24. 

Most households will also have to complete an interview during their recertification.

For households where all adult members are over 60 years old or have a disability and no earned income, their recertification interview is waived unless the client requests for an interview or if the client reported conflicting information or verification. 

Depending on the household’s situation, the length of the interview may vary.

Some counties have the capacity to have designated staff to directly support community-based organizations and campuses. If you are having trouble reaching your county, please contact us and we will try our best to connect you if there is a liaison identified.

Although not all counties have the capacity to offer a customer service call center option, this convenient CalFresh Office Locator(opens in new window) can help you find the nearest Social Services office and their contact information.

The Release of Information (ROI) form allows the county to release any case related information to an individual, agency, organization or institution for the specific detailed reason(s) listed. This could include providing information on application status, verifications requested/missing or any ongoing concerns regarding notices received.