CalFresh

Each day, millions of Californians struggle to feed their families nutritious food or simply go without because they can’t afford it.  CBS is assisting to end this crisis by providing access to healthy food for those who qualify via CalFresh.

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Qualifying for a CalFresh EBT debit card means you would also qualify for a number of other beneficial services to include: 

• ​National School Lunch Program for FREE/reduced prices of nutritious school meals and other services for school children 

• Health & Wellness Services

• Fee Waivers for College Apps, Admissions Tests

• Discounted utility services, transportation, and more.

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30% of LA residents do not realize they are eligible to receive CalFresh.

 

Household income and size determine how much CalFresh dollars you receive. However, certain expenses, including your rent, childcare costs, and utility expenses such as gas and electric bills are deducted from household income to help you qualify for CalFresh and increase your benefits.

 

Who Is Eligible For CalFresh?

CalFresh is available to individuals and families with low incomes. Citizens and legal immigrant Californian residents are eligible. As of March 2021, CalFresh is not part of the Public Charge test and will NOT affect your immigration status.  Undocumented immigrants are usually not eligible, however, they can apply for their children who are legal residents or U.S. citizens. Households without special circumstances must qualify under income guidelines.

 

If you have previously applied for CalFresh and were unsuccessful, you should try again. New legislation was passed to increase access and you may now be eligible.

 

Income Guidelines For CalFresh?

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​What is the CalFresh Emergency Allotment (EA)?

Since March 2020, emergency allotments (EA) have raised each household’s regular monthly CalFresh allotment to the maximum allowable allotment based on household size. Effective April 2021, CalFresh Emergency Allotment (EA) means an increase in CalFresh benefits for payments to take effect the following month. The EA increase was changed to include households already receiving the maximum regular CalFresh benefit and every eligible CalFresh holder will receive a minimum.  Like previous EA rules, payments are based on a month-to-month approval from the federal government. 

 

If you were already receiving $281 you can receive $376 ($281 + EA $95) and if you were receiving $186, you can receive $281 ($186 + EA $95). If you receive a $23 minimum regular allotment, you will receive $281 ($23 + EA $258). That is due to the new minimum of $95 in EA. The USDA is aiming to “provide greater equity to households most in need.

 

What Are the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Payments?

​Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is part of the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through P-EBT, eligible school children receive temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food. Children who would have received free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act if their schools were not closed or operating with reduced hours or attendance for at least 5 consecutive days are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits. P-EBT also provides benefits to younger children in households participating in the CalFresh/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) whose covered child care facility is closed or operating with reduced hours or attendance, or who live in the area of schools that are closed or operating with reduced hours or attendance.  P-EBT doesn't impact EA payments. 

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                        30% of LA residents do not realize they are eligible to receive CalFresh.

 

Are There Any Concessions?

•  People who receive SSI/SSP do qualify for CalFresh, and so may other household members.

• The federal unemployment boost doesn't count toward people's income when they apply for CalFresh, making more jobless people able to qualify. 

• To qualify for CalFresh, households must meet the "net income" test which takes into account your expenses for shelter, medical bills, utilities, and childcare.
   

 FREE CalFresh Enrollment Assistance:

CBS offers FREE CalFresh enrollment assistance. Our compassionate Calfresh experts simplify the application process, check your eligibility and assist you to access nutritious food quickly.

Once qualified, you will receive your CalFresh debit card and separate password to shop for groceries.

To stay eligible, all CalFresh recipients must complete report forms every six months with semi-annual recertification.

 

Call us today on (562) 518 - 9760 to speak with one of our CalFresh advocates.

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