SNAP California: How To Stretch Your CalFresh Benefits

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps feed millions of Americans each year. Yet, the aid is often still insufficient for low-income families and individuals. In fact, SNAP benefits reportedly fall short of covering the cost of a low-income meal in 99% of U.S. continental counties.

For those receiving food assistance, budgeting is essential. With bills for healthcare, housing maintenance, child care, skyrocketing food prices and just the general increasing cost of living, you have to become a master when it comes to stretching how far your EBT card will go each month

The good news is, if you live in California, there may be even more ways you can get help with your monthly food expenses.

What Is CalFresh and How Does It Work?

As far as food assistance programs go, California residents have a premium one. CalFresh is essentially the state’s version of SNAP. It provides monthly food benefits to individuals or varying family sizes with low incomes and provides them with economic benefits within their community. CalFresh is the largest program of its kind in California and provides an essential hunger safety net.

It’s important to note that though it works under the Department of Agriculture and is federally mandated, CalFresh is state-supervised and county-operated. Just like when you apply for SNAP, the amount of benefits your household receives is dependent on household size, countable income and monthly expenses, such as rent, transportation or utilities.

The program also issues monthly benefits on your EBT card. Food may be purchased at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT cards. This is a great way to grab fresh fruits and vegetables without paying the organic premium.

How Does CalFresh Save You Money?

Your eligibility for SNAP can vary, but CalFresh benefits can help buy nutritious foods for a better diet. CalFresh benefits stretch food budgets, allowing you and your family to afford more nutritious and healthy food. Here are a few ways it can save you money both with in-store and online purchases. 

• Financial assistance for your monthly food bill: Your CalFresh EBT card has a set amount of money that can be used to purchase eligible food items, making your grocery list more affordable. This also means you can potentially buy more fruit, veggies and generally more nutritious choices rather than cheaper, unhealthy ones.
• Support for your local community and farmers’ markets: CalFresh benefits can be used at local farmers’ markets, often with additional benefits like Market Match, which doubles the value of CalFresh funds when used for produce, helping to boost local economies, which is great for everyone in the long run.
• May lead to reduced healthcare costs: Access to nutritious food can improve overall health, potentially leading to reduced healthcare costs, especially for retirees or people with disabilities who can be less likely to take prescribed medications when they have food security. 

First Things First, Though — Are You Eligible?

The bottom line is that in tough economic periods, you may need some food assistance from time to time. If you are living paycheck to paycheck and the unexpected happens, you may find yourself wondering if you can get CalFresh benefits. Though this is largely based on your family size and income, here are a few considerations and steps you can take for your California SNAP application:

• You can use the BenefitsCal Ask Robin online virtual assistant before completing an actual application to estimate your eligibility.
• Once you apply, a County Eligibility Worker will decide if you qualify.
• If you need food right away, you may qualify for Expedited Services. If you qualify, you could receive CalFresh Food benefits within three days from the date you applied.

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