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
H.R. 1 Cuts to CalFresh Exacerbate Hunger in Every Legislative District
key takeaway H.R. 1 includes the largest cuts in U.S. history to food assistance and health care programs, threatening billions in CalFresh funding and putting more than 3 million California households at risk of losing some or all of their food assistance. Access to health care and food assistance are critical for every Californian to …CalFreshSafety Net -
Fact Sheet
H.R. 1 Worsens Hunger Among Immigrant Families
key takeaway H.R. 1’s new eligibility restrictions will cause tens of thousands of Californians with humanitarian immigration statuses to lose or see significant reductions in CalFresh assistance, putting immigrant and mixed-status families at greater risk of hunger. CalFresh — California’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — is a proven anti-poverty intervention and …CalFreshSafety Net -
Commentary
“Work Requirements” Is Just Another Name for Cuts
California policymakers are considering following in the federal government’s footsteps and making it harder for vulnerable families to get food, health care, and housing. This spring, federal policy changes are set to strip millions of Californians of benefits they depend on. Under the 2025 Republican megabill, H.R. 1, an estimated 665,000 CalFresh recipients — 70% …CalFreshHealthMedi-Cal -
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
