Food & Nutrition Benefits

CalFresh stretches your food budget

CalFresh gives you monthly benefits on an ATM-style plastic card, called an Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT card, that you can use to purchase food.

calfresh ebt card The CalFresh card can be used instead of money for food at grocery stores and many local farmers markets. The benefits help you afford to buy the groceries you need to be healthy.

Known as CalFresh in California, this food and nutrition program is part of a federal government program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

May CalFresh Benefits to Arrive May 1; April Benefits Added March 22

Eligible CalFresh beneficiaries will receive May EBT funds on a single day, Monday, May 1.

The State of California Department of Social Servicesnormally issues benefits on EBT cards on the 1st through the 10th of each month.

However, April benefits were issued to Sonoma County CalFresh recipients early, on March 22. To shorten the period between monthly benefits being added to EBT cards, the State is issuing May benefits early.

CalFresh recipients may want to budget these early benefits so they stretch until May benefits arrive. We encourage clients to seek help at local food banks if needed.

Who May Be Eligible?

All U.S. citizens who are residents of Sonoma County who meet the guidelines.
Children born in the United States, regardless of where the parents were born.
Immigrants who are legal permanent residents, victims of trafficking, U-visa applicants and holders and others may be eligible.
Seniors, students and people who meet the other CalFresh guidelines (in English and Spanish).

For details about eligibility and income rules in English and Español, you may want to visit the California Department of Social Services website.

Current CalFresh Clients

Even if you've had CalFresh for a while, benefits and rules can change. It's important that you keep in touch with us, and check this site for new information.

Visit Renew Your Benefits to learn how to keep your CalFresh benefits ongoing or make changes to your home address or income.
Visit Use Your Benefits for a list of what you can buy with CalFresh, and how and where to use your benefits.
Check CalFresh Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers about your benefits. Here are two FAQs that many clients ask: