Community Members FAQ

How do I apply?

Click Here to Apply Online

Click Here to Learn How to Apply Over the Phone

Click Here to Learn How to Apply in Person

Do you need help with the application process?

The San Diego Hunger Coalition partners with local food banks and community organizations to help people better understand and access CalFresh.  Many of our partners offer multilingual services and can assist you over the phone or at an organization near where you live.

If you need help learning if you could be eligible, applying, or maintaining your CalFresh benefits, please contact 2-1-1 for help locating one of our trained community-based partners.

What can I buy?
CalFresh recipients can buy anything with a nutrition label! Here are the foods recipients can purchase for the household to eat, such as:

• Bread and cereals

• Fruit and vegetables

• Meat, fish and poultry; and

• Dairy products

• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.

 I'm not a U.S. citizen. Can I still apply for CalFresh?

• Yes! You may be eligible for CalFresh if you have been granted:
  • U.S. citizenship
  • A green card
  • Refugee, asylum, or parolee status
  • A U-Visa or T-Visa

• An individual does not qualify for CalFresh if they are:

• An undocumented person
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients
• In the process of petitioning for asylum/refugee status
• On a student, work, or tourist visa.

• You can find more information immigration status eligibility here: https://calfresh.guide/immigrant-eligibility-for-calfresh-benefits/

Am I eligible for CalFresh?

• CalFresh eligibility depends on immigration status and income. Households’ gross monthly income will have to be at or below 200% federal poverty level to be eligible:

Can CalFresh affect my immigration status?
Getting CalFresh does NOT affect your ability to get citizenship. This is because the public charge test is not a part of the citizenship application process. Additionally, the public charge rule does not apply to anyone who already has a green card, unless they leave the U.S. for more than six months. The public charge rule does not apply to anyone who has, or is applying for, one of the following

• U.S. citizenship
• Green card holder applying for a renewal
• Refugee status
• Asylum
• U or T Vista
• Immigration relief through VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status

For more information on why it is safe to access CalFresh resources please visit here: https://www.sandiegohungercoalition.org/safe

Can CalFresh affect my taxes?
No! Applying for or receiving CalFresh benefits does not in any way affect your or your family's taxes. You will not need to report CalFresh benefits on your tax return.

During Application

What documents do I need to apply?

• The documents that are mandatory for the CalFresh application include the following:

• Identity (any photo I.D. with full name visible)

• Includes driver’s license, passport, etc.

• Residency 

• Social Security Number (not the card)

• Proof of any Income

• Proof of immigration status (for non-citizens)

• Proof of student status (for college students)

• College Class Schedule 

• Financial Aid Award Letter

The following are not required, but we highly recommend reporting your monthly expenses to your application because they may increase your benefit amount after approval. Eligible expenses include:

• Utility costs 

• documentation usually not required

• Shelter Expenses 

• documentation usually not required

• Dependent Care Costs (including adult and child care)

• Documentation usually not required

• Child Support Expenses

• Court-order letter required

• Medical Deductions (only for elderly adults 60+ and individuals receiving disability benefits)

• Only documentation for $35 worth of monthly medical expenses is required

• Documentation includes: bills, receipts, and pharmacy print outs

Where do I go to upload additional documents after submitting the application?

• We recommend uploading documents as soon as possible after your application has been submitted. You can upload documents to LaterDocs (https://www.getcalfresh.org/docs). 

 Who do I count in my household?

• A CalFresh household is defined as an individual or group of individuals who live together and purchase and prepare food together on a regular basis. If you do not regularly purchase and prepare food together, you may apply separately (this is often the case for individuals with roommates).

Who is required to apply together?

• Certain individuals MUST apply together, regardless of whether they purchase and prepare food separately. This includes:

• Married couples who live together (includes couples are legally separated but still living together)

• Anyone under the age of 22 living with their biological/adoptive parents, stepparents, or legal guardians

• Unmarried couples living together with a common child

What can I do if I don't have a mailing address?

Usually, the county will mail you updates on your CalFresh case, along with your EBT card and pin upon approval. If you don’t have a mailing address to use, you have several options:

1. Use a family members or friend’s mailing address. 

1. Only use the address of a TRUSTED source, and do not use a random address.

2. You can set up a free PO box with USPS

1. You will have to fill out the PS 1093 Form and take it to your closest local Post office.

3. There are local Family Resource Centers across San Diego county, which you can visit to receive your EBT card in person.

1. A list of Family Resource Center Locations is available on the HHSA website.

How do I count my income if it is inconsistent?

• If your income is inconsistent, you may report the income you have received in the last 30 days, along with the income you anticipate receiving during the certification period. If your income fluctuates so much that you cannot anticipate any income, no income will be counted. (Program Guide 63-282)

• If your income changes after you are approved for benefits, you can report it to the county by uploading paystubs to LaterDocs or by calling the county Access Line at 1 (866) 262-9881.

After applying questions

How long does it take for the county to process my CalFresh application?

• Your county has 30 days to approve or deny your case. Some people with very low income can get expedited services, and their cases should be processed in 3 days.  If it’s been more than two weeks and you haven’t gotten any mail or phone calls from your county, or you want to contact your county office, you can find their phone number here.

What can I do if I haven’t heard back from the county about my CalFresh application?

• Typically, the county will send you something in the mail if they need any more information to complete your application. That is why it is very important to check your mail frequently after applying because sometimes the notices arrive weeks after they are dated, and the required information may be due in a matter of days. Calling the county access line is another great way to get immediate answers about your application. 

How often do I need to renew my benefits?

• Most households will have to renew in the sixth month of receiving their benefits by completing and submitting a form called a SAR 7. A SAR 7 is a short report that most households must complete to maintain their eligibility for CalFresh Food 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.

• Semi-Annual Reports (SAR 7s) for CalFresh must be submitted six months after your application. For example: Your SAR 7 would be due in June if you applied for CalFresh in January (unless everyone in your household is 60+ or disabled). If you have questions about when your SAR 7 is due, call your county office.

• You must send the first SAR 7 in the sixth month after your application.

Example: If you apply in April and are approved for benefits for April, you must send the first SAR 7 in September; August is your Report Month and September is your Submit Month. The annual Renewal would be due in March. The SAR 7 is due to the County on the 5th of the Submit Month. The County will consider the SAR 7 late when received after the 11th of the month. Your benefits may be stopped or delayed if the SAR 7 is late, or incomplete, or a required signature is missing.

How do I submit the SAR7?
The County mails a pre-printed SAR 7 approximately three days before the end of the Report Month. You can mail the pre-printed SAR 7 or submit the SAR 7 via MyBenefits CalWIN (https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/)

 When will I have to recertify?

• 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.

How do I submit the recertification form?

• Households must complete their CF 37 Recertification Application and submit all the necessary verifications as determined by their eligibility worker.  

 I'm moving. Can I keep my CalFresh benefits?

• Yes! If you are moving to a city in the same county, all you need to do is update your address, as this is necessary to make sure you will continue to receive important information from the county. If you are moving to a city in a different county, but staying in California, contact the CalFresh office in your new county as soon as you can and request an Inter-County Transfer. The county can transfer your case and you should not have to reapply.

 Can I use my EBT card in other cities and states?

• Yes! However, you are required to report any address change to your local county public assistance office. You must live in California to be eligible to receive benefits from a California county. 

• EBT cards can be used in all other States including the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Your card can be used out of state for ATM withdrawals at certain ATM machines. Look for ATMs that display the Quest logo. We recommend you try a balance inquiry first. ATMs may have a surcharge that will be added to your withdrawal amount. EBT cards cannot be used in Puerto Rico because Puerto Rico is operating under a block grant instead of the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program. In California, your EBT card will work at any store or ATM that displays the Quest® symbol. If you do not see the Quest® symbol, look for a sign that displays EBT, SNAP, or Food Stamps. If you are unsure, ask the store manager. Not all stores accept EBT cards so check with the store first.

Where can I use my EBT card?

• To find an authorized CalFresh retailer near you, click here. Next, click on the “Select Location” button and enter a starting location (enter city & state, zip code or a full address). Position your cursor over a map point or use the table below the map to get details.

• Local participating grocery stores include but are not limited to: Albertsons, VONs, Sprouts, North Gate, Safe Way and Food 4 Less.

• To find local farmers markets that accept CalFresh, click here.
  

• You can use your EBT card to make purchases online at Amazon and Walmart. You can also use your EBT card to make purchases online at both Aldi and Save Mart stores (FoodMaxx and Lucky Supermarkets) through Instacart. If you get CalFresh food benefits, you can find

  out more about how to purchase food online with your EBT card at: Aldi and Save Mart through Instacart, Amazon, and Walmart.
  

• Participating Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons locations offer Drive Up and Go™ for EBT payment at pick up. If you get CalFresh food benefits, you can find out more about how to purchase food for Drive Up and Go™ with your EBT card at: Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons.

How can I protect myself from EBT scams and EBT Fraud?

• In order to protect your CalFresh benefits from being stolen, it is very important to keep your PIN number and EBT card information private. The county will never call or message you requesting this information.

• Additionally, we highly recommend you keep track of your EBT card balance to easily detect unauthorized transactions. Your EBT balance can be checked by:

• Going to www.ebt.ca.gov

• Making an account on BenefitsCal

• Calling Customer Service at 1-877-328-9677

• Checking the balance at the bottom of your grocery receipt.

What can I do if my benefits get stolen or if I notice an unauthorized transaction on my EBT card?

• We highly recommend calling the county Access Line to report any unauthorized transactions you notice at 1 (866) 262-9881.

• In order to get your benefits replaced, fill out the EBT 2259 form, linked here: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Additional-Resources/Forms-and-Brochures/2020/E-H/EBT2259.pdf?ver=2021-10-29-145026-263

• It is very important to include your contact information in the form. The county may need to follow up with you as they proceed with the replacement process.

What do I do if I need to report changes to the county?

• You can report changes to the county by phone by calling the county access line, by sending documents by mail, or by uploading your documents through Laterdocs on the Getcalfresh or mybenefitscalwin website.