CalFresh

Generally, services are available to low income individuals and families who are:

• U.S. citizens, or
• Legal immigrants who:
  • Have lived in the country for 36 months, or
  • Are receiving disability-related assistance or benefits, regardless of entry date, or
  • Are children under 18 years of age, regardless of entry date.

What are the requirements?

For households to receive CalFresh benefits, they must meet certain eligibility requirements in the following areas:

• Citizenship/Immigration status,
• Income,
• Residence,
• Work requirements, and other information.

Eligibility is based on your family size, income and some living costs.

You can use the BenefitsCal Ask Robin online virtual assistant before completing an actual application to estimate your eligibility.

If you need food right away, you may qualify for Expedited Services. Those who qualify will receive CalFresh food benefits within 3 days from the date you applied.

Individuals or families may apply for assistance online, via telephone, fax, by mail or by coming in to our office. To apply, only the name, address and signature of a responsible member of the household is needed.

The easiest and quickest way to apply for CalWORKs, CalFresh and/or Medi-Cal is online at www.benefitscal.com.

If you are Elderly and/or Disabled, you can apply for a CalFresh by filling out this form
English CF 485
Spanish CF 485

To apply for CALFRESH only, fillout this form and schedule an interview with San Joaquin County Human Services Agency.
English CF 285
Spanish CF 285

To apply for CALFRESH, Cash Aid, and or MEDI-CAL/HEALTH CARE programs, fill out the application below and schedule an interview with San Joaquin County Human Services Agency.
English SAWS 1 Application
Spanish SAWS 1 Application

Or in our office at:

333 E. Washington Street
Stockton, CA 95202
M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Telephone: (209) 468-1000
Fax: (209) 932-2662

Once a customer starts to receive CalFresh, the customer must keep the Eligibility Worker (EW) informed about changes, in order to:

• CalFresh benefits are correct
• Make sure CalFresh benefits, Notices of Action, and other correspondence are sent to the correct address.

All CalFresh recipients, with the exception of Annual Reporting Child Only (AR/CO) and Change Reporting Household cases are required to submit a Semi-Annual Eligibility Status Report (SAR 7) once per year (due in the sixth month of the first semi-annual period) followed by the re-certification of eligibility in the sixth month of the second semi-annual period.

Your Eligibility Worker will inform you of what type of household type and what the reporting requirements are for your specific case.

Do you have any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that make it harder for you to apply for benefits or meet program requirements? We can give extra help.

The law protects people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities as well as others with serious health problems (42 U.S.C. § 12132).

Click here to download the PUB 13 and Pamphlet on requesting an accommodation.

Click here for an English audio reading of the PUB 13.

Yes, CalFresh benefits cannot be used to purchase:

Any non-food item such as pet food; soaps, paper products, and household supplies; and grooming items and cosmetics.
Alcoholic beverages or tobacco products.
Vitamins and medicines.
Any food that will be eaten in the store.
Any food marketed to be heated in the store.

Yes, but you may be required to participate in a work or training program.

Some noncitizens may be eligible to CalFresh but, even if you aren’t eligible to CalFresh, other members of your family may be eligible. Getting CalFresh won't hurt you if you want to become a citizen of the United States.

After all necessary information is provided and verified for eligibility, you should be able to receive your CalFresh benefits within 30 days from the date of your application.

If you meet the requirements, you may qualify for Expedited Service and will receive your CalFresh benefits within three (3) days from the date of your application.

If you are receiving SSI/SSP, you may be eligible to CalFresh benefits beginning June 1, 2019, due to a change in the law.

CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase:

Foods for human consumption.
Seeds and plants to grow food for household use.

If you are 60 years old or over, or have a verified disability, you don't have to look for work. You may also be able to claim high medical bills that health insurance doesn't cover.

The amount of CalFresh benefits you can receive is based on the number of people in your household, the total amount of your household’s income, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan. The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.