Step 1 (optional): Find out if you are eligible to receive food stamps here.
Step 2: Apply for food stamps in one of the following ways:
- Download and print out an application here, then mail it to your county’s welfare office.
- Request an application for food stamps by phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your county’s welfare office.
Step 3: To find the phone number and address of your welfare office, go here.
About California Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was produced to support people who do not have the money to afford their food month after month. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka food stamps) aids millions of persons. In fact, it assisted over 40 million folks in the year 2010.
In California, SNAP or Food Stamps is called CalFresh. The CalFresh program is designed to either supplement a food budget to allow households to buy more nutritious and healthy foods, or it can act as a replacement for the individuals income to cover the entire cost of food for the month. How much each household is allotted depends on their level of income, the number of people living in their home, the amount of resources available to them, and many other factors.
Low income families located in the U.S. can apply for food stamps benefits regardless of what their ethnic background, sex, religious beliefs, or even background is. In the year 2008, those getting aid from CalFresh averaged $101 in food assistance each month.
CalFresh Qualifiers
Of course, to be able to collect benefits from CalFresh, there’s a list of requirements which a person needs to satisfy. Also, there are several documents an candidate will need during the food stamps application and interview process.
In most instances, if you are under 60 years old, it is a necessity for you to not have any more than $2,000 in assets. If you or someone in your residence is at least 60 years old, that limit is raised to $3,000. Assistance from TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income), do not count as assets when applying for food stamps. What is counted as assets is any cash you have, money that you have saved in a bank account, or your vehicle (in some cases).
Another requirement is an income limit, which is influenced by how many people you’ve got residing in your household while you are requesting for food stamps.
How much your expenses are is also considered when applying for CalFresh benefits. The amount you pay for child or elderly care, rent or mortgage and utilities will all be taken into account. Some medical expenses may also be considered under certain circumstances.
The Golden State Advantage EBT Card
Those who pass the requirements and have their application approved to start receiving CalFresh benefits, will be given an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. The EBT card can be used like a debit card to purchase food at certain grocery stores, convenience stores, or possibly farmer markets.
The California EBT card is called the Golden State Advantage card. On the front of the card is a beautiful sunset beach scene. Also included on the front is a 16-digit card number that identify distinct cards as well as the cardholders name and 10 small digits below the name. This information will be required when trying to check the balance of a Golden State Advantage card.
When Will My Golden State Advantage EBT Card Be Refilled?
In California, your Golden State EBT card will be refilled on either the first, second or third day of the month. If your case number ends with a 1, 2 or 3, you will receive your benefits on the first of the month. If your case number ends with a 4, 5, 6 or 7, your benefits will become available on the second of the month. And if your case number ends with a 8, 9 or 0, you will get your benefits on the third of the month.