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In this economic downturn, underutilization of the CalFresh Program means lost dollars and empty plates for local residents.

What is CalFresh?(formerly known as Food Stamps)

CalFresh Program is a Nutrition Assistance

Program that helps low-income individuals and

families buy the food they need for good health.

The Program is the cornerstone of the Federalfood assistance program and provides crucialsupport to needy households.

A person who is approved to receive CalFresh benefits is issued an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT ) card, just like an ATM card, to purchase food at various supermarkets, grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

CalFresh promotes better Health through Nutrition

• Low-income Californians are at greater risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

• CalFresh can help ensure access to healthy foods. This lowers the risk for serious health problems.

CalFresh increases the household’s food buying power

• CalFresh improves the nutrition of people in low-income households.  It does that by increasing their food-buying power, so they are able to purchase the amount of food their household needs. 

• For example, some Farmers’ Markets offer matching funds for produce purchases, so $5 in CalFresh benefits might provide an extra $5 to spend on fruits and vegetables at the market.

EBT Cards are accepted at some Farmers’ Markets

To find a Farmers’ Market in your area that accepts CalFresh:

www.ecologycenter.org/ebt/marketlist

CALFRESH PROGRAM BRINGS FEDERAL DOLLARS TO THE

COMMUNITY

• The CalFresh Program generates economic activity by bringing federal dollars into communities in the form of benefits which are redeemed by CalFresh participants at local stores.

• According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (USDA-FNS), it is estimated that every $5 in new CalFresh activity generates $9.20 in total community spending, or for every CalFresh dollar, an additional 84 cents is generated to the local economy.

CalFresh Underutilization

• Increasing CalFresh participation among eligible households continues to be a priority for DPSS. The department has been aggressively partnering with public and private agencies, exploring and implementing various outreach strategies.

• One our biggest challenges is convincing those who desperately need assistance to apply because of their fear of being stigmatized.

YOU CAN HELP!• Make CalFresh information part of your work;

• Promote CalFresh by educating clients, partners, collaboratives and stakeholders about CalFresh;

• If you are an advocate and would like an outreach worker at your site, please contact Rosueta Rodriguez at

(626) 312-6165; and

• Help your family members, friends, neighbors and clients fill out an application online.

(https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html)

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES• DPSS Outreach Eligibility Workers visit and perform outreach at:

• Community and Senior Services (CSS) Worksource Centers• Hospitals• Farmers’ Markets• Health Clinics• Schools• Soup Kitchens• Food Pantries• Community Events • Fairs• Various non-traditional settings

• DPSS has existing collaborations with many other County Departments, including CSS/Department of Children and Family Services.

• We also participate in the monthly meetings facilitated by the Public Social Services Commission, in which representatives from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Administration attend.

Who can get CalFresh benefits?

• Generally, you may be eligible for CalFresh if you:

• Have limited income or no income;• Have limited property;• Are a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident.

• Under a new CalFresh rule change, bank accounts and other resources are no longer counted in determining eligibility to the program.

What information will be requested of an individual and their family?

• You will be asked to provide the following:• Identification;• Social Security Number (SSN); and• Proof of income.

CalFresh Eligibility CriteriaCalFresh Eligibility Criteria• Eligibility is determined by the household

composition

• The CalFresh Program has several eligibility criteria

• Categorical Eligibility – If you receive CalWORKs benefits, you are automatically eligible to CalFresh

CalFresh Income LimitsCalFresh Income Limits

• Income Limits

– A two-step determination:

1. Gross Income Test

2. Net Income Test: Adjusted Net Income is all earned income minus allowable deductions

Gross and Net Income Limits

Household Size Gross Limits Net Limits

1 $ 1,180 $908

2 1,594 1,226

3 2,008 1,545

4 2,422 1,863

5 2,836 2,181

• United States Citizen

• Qualified Non-Citizens

• Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)

• Asylee

• Refugee

• Cuban or Haitian Entrant

• Sponsored Non-Citizens

CalFresh is for legal residents of California that meet the eligibility requirements.

Citizenship or Eligible Citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizen StatusNon-Citizen Status

Excluded CalFresh Household MembersExcluded CalFresh Household Members

• Certain persons cannot get CalFresh because they fail to meet one or more of the eligibility criteria, such as:

• Ineligible non-citizens• SSN Disqualified• Social Supplemental Income/State

Supplemental Payment Recipients• Ineligible Students• Convicted Drug Felons

How To ApplyHow To Apply• Online at: (https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html)

• At the nearest DPSS district office to your home

• Non-Traditional Sites

• Outreach Partners locations

OR

• You can apply today!

• The Health and Nutrition Mobile Unit onsite accepting CalFresh and Medi-Cal applications.