CalFresh is California’s state version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides modest monthly assistance to Californians with low incomes to purchase food. Established in its modern form in 1977, CalFresh aims to fight hunger and keep Californians out of poverty, and it has expanded to provide food assistance to over 5 million people.
Who is eligible for CalFresh?
Eligible Californians must meet certain income and asset criteria to qualify for food assistance. CalFresh generally provides benefits to households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Benefits are disbursed monthly on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used at grocery stores or farmers’ markets that accept EBT cards. The benefits a household receives depend on household size, income, and monthly expenses, such as child care.
The California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) was established in 1997 to provide state-funded benefits to noncitizens who do not qualify for federally funded CalFresh benefits. CalFresh is available to certain groups of immigrants, but it is not currently available to undocumented immigrants.
What's New
-
Fact Sheet
Cronología de los Recortes de Financiamiento a Medi-Cal y CalFresh en California
Puntos clave Muchas disposiciones incluidas en el perjudicial megaproyecto de ley republicano, H.R. 1, y en el presupuesto estatal de California para 2025-2026 reducirán directamente el financiamiento federal y estatal destinado a Medi-Cal y CalFresh, poniendo a millones de californianos en riesgo de perder su cobertura de salud y asistencia alimentaria. Read this publication in …CalFreshFederal PolicyMedi-Cal -
Data Hit
Average Periods of Unemployment Last Twice As Long As New H.R. 1 SNAP Time Limits
CalFresh is California’s state version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides modest monthly assistance to Californians with low incomes to purchase food, but the program has been significantly eroded by federal leaders. In addition to the devastating funding cuts to food assistance and health care enacted by the 2025 Republican megabill, …CalFreshSafety Net -
5Facts
H.R. 1 Expands CalFresh Time Limits, Increasing Risk of Hunger
Recent federal actions introduced significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, via the 2025 Republican megabill, H.R. 1. One of the major changes was to the time limit provision, which expanded the groups of people subject to time limits and eliminated some key exemptions for participants already facing …CalFreshSafety Net -
Fact Sheet
Timeline of Funding Cuts to Medi-Cal and CalFresh in California
key takeaway Many provisions in the harmful Republican megabill, H.R. 1, and the 2025-26 California state budget will directly reduce federal and state funding for Medi‑Cal and CalFresh, putting millions of Californians at risk of losing health care coverage and food assistance. Lea esta publicación en español. The recently enacted Republican megabill, H.R. 1, includes the …CalFreshFederal PolicyHealthMedi-CalSafety Net -
Fact Sheet
H.R. 1’s SNAP Rules Will Harm Californians Experiencing Homelessness
key takeaway For most Californians experiencing homelessness, CalFresh (SNAP) is among the few safety net programs that consistently provide basic access to food. Under the Republican megabill H.R. 1, arbitrary time limits and work requirements threaten food assistance for unhoused adults ages 18–64 without a disabling condition or dependents. Many Californians experiencing homelessness rely on …CalFreshFederal PolicyHousing & Homelessness
