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).

As of April 2020, CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT cards to purchase groceries online at Amazon.com.*

You can order food online that you would normally buy with your EBT card in the store. Availability of fresh items may be limited, however you may order non-perishable food. When you order, select Amazon home delivery (delivery may take longer than usual). CalFresh Food benefits cannot be used to cover the cost of delivery, though Amazon offers free delivery on orders over $35. EBT Card holders are eligible for a reduced cost Prime Membership, which eliminates the delivery fee on most items and grants access to other Prime benefits.

For more information, please visit EBT Online at www.cdss.ca.gov/ebt-online.

*Walmart online purchasing and delivery are unavailable in Sonoma County.

For Current Pandemic EBT Clients

Applications for the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefit are closed. If you applied before the deadline and need help with or have questions about the status of your case:

Call California’s EBT Service Center at (877) 328-9677 (for PIN set-up, address change, lost or stolen cards)
Inquire on your P-EBT case via online inquiry form: https://inquiry.pebt.dss.ca.gov/
Call the P-EBT Helpline: (833) 780-0353 (application status and eligibility questions)

If your child was not determined P-EBT eligible and you believe they should have been, you can complete an appeal. Appeals can be submitted online at https://inquiry.pebt.dss.ca.gov/appeal or by calling the P-EBT helpline at 833-780-0353 by August 10, 2020.

Economic Assistance Lobby Open to Public with Limited Hours, Services

Human Services Department lobbies are open to the public for restricted access and hours. Clients and staff must wear masks or face coverings, and maintain six-feet of social distancing.

Economic Assistance hours at both 2550 Paulin Drive, Santa Rosa, and South County Center, 5350 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 100, Petaluma: 8 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday.

Read the questions and answers about how public benefits are affected on the Human Services Department home page first. For additional information, please email info@schsd.org or call 707-565-5800. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together to keep our communities safe.

You can continue to access services by phone and online:

Online

MyBenefitsCalWIN.org

Report Changes
Apply for Benefits
Submit Reports & Documents

CoveredCA.com

Apply for Medi-Cal

GetCalFresh.org

Apply for CalFresh

Telephone/Fax

Service Center 1-877-699-6868

Report Changes
Request Replacement EBT Card
General Assistance Questions

Fax 707-565-2929

Report Changes
Apply for Benefits

Mail/Office Drop Box

Report Changes
Apply for Benefits
Submit Reports & Documents

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.
Residents who receive SSI or SSP.
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:

How do I check my CalFresh Card balance amount?

Using your card number, check online at mybenefitscalwin.org or call (877) 328-9677.

How do I replace a damaged, lost or stolen CalFresh Card?

Using your card number, check online at mybenefitscalwin.org or call (877) 328-9677.

Contact Information

Economic Assistance

Human Services Department

Business Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Addresses

Address

Santa Rosa

2550 Paulin Drive

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

38.465026, -122.721484

Google Maps™ Directions

Petaluma Office

5350 Old Redwood Highway

Suite 100

Petaluma, CA 94954

38.278495, -122.668033

Google Maps™ Directions

Drop off paperwork at any office or mail to:

Economic Assistance

P.O. Box 1539

Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Apply for CalFresh

Apply Online
In English and Spanish

Apply by Phone
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone

Apply in Person
Visit our the Economic Assistance office 8 AM - 5 PM

Healthy Eating Guides

SNAP: Eat Right

Learn about healthy food for every body

EatFresh.org

Senior Resource Guide

In English and Spanish

Find home meal delivery, meals at sites countywide and more helpful programs

Services for older adults 65+