FRESH & HEALTHY
FOOD TO FEED
YOUR FAMILY
CalFresh, a government nutrition assistance program, offers up to $939 in monthly benefits for food to help individuals and families in Orange County stay healthy and happy.*
Easy 4-Step Enrollment Process
*Legal Disclaimer: Based on household size of four (4) people and depending on income and expenses.
IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING TO PUT
NUTRITIOUS FOOD ON THE TABLE,
CALFRESH IS HERE TO HELP.
You work hard, but sometimes it’s difficult to make ends meet. You are not alone. The CalFresh program, also known as SNAP, was created to give you a helping hand.
Your immigration status is confidential, along with all information provided during your CalFresh benefit application process. CalFresh is a program administered by OC Social Services and none of the information provided on the application will be shared with other agencies. The information that is collected will only be used to determine eligibility and benefit amount. You are safe and protected.
You are eligible if at least ONE person in your household is a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. Regardless of your immigration status, you can apply on behalf of other household members, including children born in the U.S.
*Eligibility extends to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents (green cards), Refugees / Asylees or Parolee Status, U or T Visa holders, applicants for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) relief and Cuban and Haitian entrants.
The simple four-step process identifies the money you are eligible to receive for food.
Step 1
Submit Application
Step 2
Interview with OC
Social Services
Social Services
Step 3
Submit additional
verification or
documents
verification or
documents
Step 4
Obtain
EBT Card
EBT Card
If approved, you will receive an EBT card that can be used at major grocery chains, local supermarkets and even farmer’s markets.
Look for the EBT or SNAP symbols at the stores that accept CalFresh.
WHAT CAN I BUY WITH MY EBT CARD?
Eligible items include food and ingredients you can cook with at home, such as:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry
and fish
Dairy
products
Breads and
cereals
Other foods, such as snack foods and nonalcoholic beverages
Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry
and fish
Dairy
products
Breads and
cereals
Other foods, such as snack foods and nonalcoholic beverages
Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
CalFresh benefits MAY NOT be used to buy:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines and supplements; note that if an item has a “Supplement Facts” label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish)
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale (e.g., rotisserie chicken)
- Any nonfood items, such as:
- Pet foods
- Cleaning supplies, paper products and other household supplies
- Hygiene items, diapers and cosmetics
You may be eligible to use your CalFresh Food benefits to buy prepared meals at approved participating restaurant vendors through the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program.
Eligibility for the program includes people who receive CalFresh Food benefits and are:
- an adult aged 60 or older
- a person with a disability
- the spouse of an individual who belongs to one of the above categories, or
- a person experiencing homelessness
WHAT BENEFITS DO I QUALIFY FOR?
The amount of CalFresh benefits a household gets depends on how many people are in the household and how much monthly net income remains after taking allowable deductions. The chart below provides an idea of what you might qualify to receive.
Maximum Calfresh Benefit Amount by Household Size for California
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
| Household Size | Maximum CalFresh Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each additional household member: | +$211 |
HEALTHY & HAPPY BELLIES START HERE
Step 1
Submit Application
Step 2
Interview with OC
Social Services
Social Services
Step 3
Submit additional
verification or
documents
verification or
documents
Step 4
Obtain
EBT Card
EBT Card
What you’ll need to apply:
Photo ID for All Adults
Either Driver’s License, State ID or Passport
Proof of Income
Paychecks, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Disability income, Pension, Cash assistance (CalWORKS), Unemployment, Certain Veterans Benefits, Child Support
Proof of Immigration Status
If you’re undocumented but you’re applying on behalf of children or a family member, you can leave the section that asks for your social security number blank.
Proof of Expenses
Rent or mortgage statement, gas and electric bill, cell phone or home phone bill, childcare expenses, child support, out of pocket medical expenses (for people with a disability or 60+ years old)
Q&As
CalFresh is a program administered by OC Social Services and none of the information provided on the application will be shared with other agencies. The information that is collected will only be used to determine eligibility and benefit amount. If you tell your caseworker that a non-citizen in your family does not want to be considered for benefits, they are not allowed to ask for proof of their immigration status.
No, unlike receiving other cash assistance, receiving CalFresh does not make an immigrant a “public charge.” The immigrant will not be denied entry to the country or denied lawful permanent residence (green card) because he or she receives CalFresh benefits. An immigrant’s use of CalFresh is not relevant in deciding whether he/she can become a U.S. citizen.
CalFresh is not a loan. You do not need to pay back any benefits you were eligible to receive.
Undocumented individuals, immigrants with temporary visas (tourist visas, student visas, work visas), “fleeing felons,” DACA recipients and people under TPS unless they meet other qualifying factors. However, if you are personally not eligible but have someone in your household who may be, you can always apply on their behalf.
CalFresh eligibility is based on gross and net income determination tests.
Gross income is all of the income your household gets before taxes from any source except the exempt income. Some examples of exempt income include any college work study program and Job Training Partnership Act. For most households, the monthly gross income (before payroll deductions) must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for the household size.
No. CalFresh is not considered income and the benefits you receive do not have to be reported on your tax return.
About the CalFresh Program
& The Orange County Hunger Alliance
CalFresh is a government program that provides monthly benefits for food to low income individuals and families who need help.
The Orange County Hunger Alliance unites the three largest anti-hunger/anti-poverty organizations in Orange County (Abound Food Care, Community Action Partnership/ Orange County Food Bank) to create lasting, systemic impact in ending poverty by first ending hunger.
Please visit ochungeralliance.org to learn more.
Please visit ochungeralliance.org to learn more.
Healthy and Happy Bellies is a campaign brought to you by the Orange County Hunger Alliance, whose purpose is to connect individuals and families in Orange County with nutritious food by helping them apply for CalFresh benefits.
If you have any questions or would like to access the CalFresh Community Toolkit, please contact:
Daisy Diaz
ddiaz@capoc.org
714.897.6670 ext. 3606