If you are trying to see if you are eligible to apply for Food stamps in California (SNAP) or need more information about California EBT, you’ve come to the right place. The California food stamps and EBT program, also called CalFresh, is a federal nutrition program that helps low-income individuals and families buy food.
Food Stamps benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets.
The program is run at the state level by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
If you apply and are approved for benefits, your monthly food stamps allocation will be given to you each month on a plastic card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card, which works like a debit card.
We have provided below everything you need to know to successfully apply for food stamps. We have also explained how EBT Card works and what you can expect with your card if you are approved for food stamps.
In this post, we will cover the following:
- Should I apply for California Food Stamps?
- Who is Eligible for California Food Stamps?
- 2019 California Food Stamps Income Limit
- How Much Will I Recieve in California Food Stamps?
- How to Apply for California Food Stamps
- How long to get Approved for California Food Stamps?
- What is California EBT Card?
- What can I buy with EBT in California?
- What time are Food Stamps EBT deposited in California?
- How to Check California EBT Card Balance?
- How Do I Get a California EBT Card Replacement?
- California EBT Discounts, Perks and Freebies
Should I apply for California Food Stamps?
If you’ve hit tough times and are struggling to afford food for yourself or your family, you should consider applying for food stamps.
The food stamps program is a federal entitlement program. This means anyone who is eligible will receive benefits. You will not be taking away benefits from someone else if you apply.
In addition, the food stamps program is a nutrition program and not a welfare cash assistance program (which is called TANF). You do not have to be receiving TANF to get food stamps.
Who is Eligible for California Food Stamps?
The food stamps program is SNAP focused on helping low-income individuals and families, predominantly serving households with children, elderly or disabled members.
Nearly half of all food stamps participants are children.
Eligibility for SNAP is limited to people with gross incomes up to 130% of the federal poverty line.
This means that a family of four can make no more than $2,790 a month to receive benefits.
Able-bodied adults without dependents can only receive three months of benefits during any three-year period if they’re not working a minimum of 20 hours per week or participating in a training program.
There are several requirements you have to meet to be approved for California food stamps and EBT, however, the most important is the income limit.
As stated above, to be eligible for food stamps, your gross income cannot exceed 130% of the federal poverty line.
In addition, after deductions are taken out, your net income cannot exceed 100% of the poverty level.
2019/2020 California Food Stamps Income Limit
Below is the 2019/2020 food stamps income limit. It is based on the number of people in your household. For example, if you are a family of 4, you cannot make more than a gross income of $2,790 to qualify for food stamps.
| Household Size | Gross monthly income (130 percent of poverty) |
Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,354 | $1,041 |
| 2 | $1,832 | $1,410 |
| 3 | $2,311 | $1,778 |
| 4 | $2,790 | $2,146 |
| 5 | $3,269 | $2,515 |
| 6 | $3,748 | $2,883 |
| 7 | $4,227 | $3,251 |
| 8 | $4,705 | $3,620 |
| Each additional member | +$479 | +$369 |
How Much Will I Recieve in California Food Stamps?
The amount of food stamps benefits a household gets depends on how many people are in the household and how much monthly net income remains after taking allowable deductions.
Because food stamps households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their own resources on food, the amount of food stamps you get is calculated by multiplying your household’s net monthly income by 0.3, and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $194 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $509 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $768 |
| 6 | $921 |
| 7 | $1,018 |
| 8 | $1,164 |
| Each additional person | +$146 |
How to Apply for California Food Stamps
There are 3 ways you can apply for food stamps in California.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the California getcalfresh.org account (as shown in the image below). If you have an account, you can login or create your getcalfresh.org account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at CDSS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) office near you. Click here to locate a CDSS office.
Option 3 – Download California Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it and mail it to your county CDSS office or submit it in person.
How long to get Approved for California Food Stamps?
Once you submit a complete application, your caseworker will schedule an interview with you to review your application information and ask any questions they may have about the information you submitted.
Generally, a decision will be made on your food stamps application within 30 days of the day you submitted a COMPLETE application.
What is a California EBT Card?
The California EBT Card, also called the Golden State Advantage card is used to administer your monthly benefits.
If you are approved for food stamps, your monthly food stamps allocation will be given to you each month on a California EBT Card, which works like a debit card.
What can I buy with EBT in California?
You are allowed to use your food stamps benefits card to buy foods that your household will prepare to eat at home, including the following
- breads and cereals
- fruits and vegetables
- meats, fish and poultry; and
- dairy products
- Seeds and plants to produce food for the household to eat
- Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream
- Seafood, steak, and bakery cakes
- Energy drinks that have a nutrition facts label
- Energy drinks that have a supplement facts label are classified by the FDA as supplements and are therefore not eligible
Now that you know what you can buy with your SNAP card, here is the list of things you CANNOT buy with the card:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
- Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, diapers, and household supplies
- Vitamins and medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
- Live animals
NOTE: In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals.
What time are food stamps EBT deposited in California?
Generally, your EBT payment is available at midnight on your payment date.
In the state of California, Food Stamps Benefits are deposited on EBT Cards over the first 10 days of every month. When your food stamps benefit is deposited on your EBT Card depends on the last digit of your case number. Here is the schedule of payment based on the last digit of your case number:
| If your Case Number ends in | Benefits are deposited on the |
| 1 | 1st of the month |
| 2 | 2nd of the month |
| 3 | 3rd of the month |
| 4 | 4th of the month |
| 5 | 5th of the month |
| 6 | 6th of the month |
| 7 | 7th of the month |
| 8 | 8th of the month |
| 9 | 9th of the month |
| 0 | 10th of the month |
How to Check California EBT Card Balance?
There are three ways to check your California EBT Card balance.
Option 1
Call 1-877-328-9677 to check the balance on your California EBT Card
Option 2
- You can check the balance online here.
Option 3
- You can also check the balance by locating your Last Receipt
How Do I Get a California EBT Card Replacement?
To report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail call the California EBT Customer Service number at – 1-877-328-9677.
If your EBT card is stolen and benefits are used these benefits cannot be replaced.
You can also call the number above for the following:
- To report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail.
- To know the date your benefits will be available in your account each month.
- To know if your benefits have been deposited into your account and get your account balance.
- To hear your last 10 transactions.
- To file a claim if you question a transaction in your account.
- If you want to select or change your PIN.
- If your card does not work.
- To find the nearest location where you can use your card.
- If you have other questions about or problems with your card.
California EBT Discounts
Your California EBT Card comes with some perks, discounts, and freebies.
Sign up for Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Holders
Amazon.com has announced that beneficiaries enrolled in some government assistance programs can now get Amazon Prime subscriptions for $5.99 a month. EBT Cardholders are included in this offer.
This means that if you are currently receiving benefits on an EBT card, like Food Stamps, you can sign up for Amazon Prime discount for EBT holders. To sign up, click here to be taken to their sign-up page.
The regular Amazon Prime membership is $12.99 a month. However, if you have an EBT Card, you can get Prime Membership for $5.99. That’s over 50% off the regular price.
Home Phone and Cell Phone Services
If you are currently on Food Stamps, and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for FREE or low-cost cell phone or home phone service for you or a member of your family through the Federal Lifeline Program, which serves nearly 13 million Americans.
This program provides discounts on cell phone service or home phone service for qualifying low-income consumers, including those on Food Stamps. Here are the companies that participate in the program in the state of California.
There are different companies providing cell phone and home phone service. Be sure to view the “Type of Service” column to make sure you are selecting the right company.
| Company Name | Phone | Type of Service |
| Consolidated Communications of California Company | 844-968-7224 | Home Phone |
| AT&T | 800-288-2747 | Home Phone |
| Blue Casa | 800-360-1902 | Home Phone |
| TDS Telecom/Hornitos Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 | Home Phone |
| TDS Telecom/Happy Valley Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 | Home Phone |
| Calaveras Telephone Company | 800-253-2511 | Home Phone |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 | Home Phone |
| Sebastian | 559-846-4868 | Home Phone |
| Sierra Telephone Company, Inc. | 877-658-4611 | Home Phone |
| Siskiyou Telephone | 866-467-6001 | Home Phone |
| TDS Telecom/Winter Haven Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 | Home Phone |
| ConnectTo communications | 800-804-4603 | Home Phone |
| Ducor Telephone Company | 888-539-5234 | Home Phone |
| CAL-ORE Telephone | 800-858-2399 | Home Phone |
| Pinnacles Telephone Co. | 831-389-4500 | Home Phone |
| Ponderosa Telephone | 800-682-1878 | Home Phone |
| Cox Communications | 866-961-0027 | Home Phone |
| Volcano Telephone Company | 888-886-5226 | Home Phone |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 | Mobile |
| Truconnect | 800-430-0443 | Mobile |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 | Mobile |
| Air Voice Wireless | 888-944-2355 | Mobile |
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 | Mobile |
| StandUP Wireless | 800-544-4441 | Mobile |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 | Mobile |
| Boomerang Wireless LLC | 866-488-8719 | Mobile |
| Safetynet Wireless | 888-224-3213 | Mobile |
Free things to do with EBT Card in California
The California Museums listed below all offer individual admission fees ranging from FREE to $3.00 to individuals and families who have an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID. The offer covers up to four individuals per EBT card
We advise that you call the museum first before you go to confirm their hours and the offer for California EBT Cardholders.
ImagineU Children’s Museum
210 N. Tipton
Visalia, California 93277
559-733-5975
Website
Directions
The Children’s Museum at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse
623 13th Street
Paso Robles, California 93446
805-238-7432
Website
Directions
Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum)
425 Washington Street
Monterey, California 93940
831-649-6444
Website
Directions
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
180 Woz Way
San Jose, California 95110
408-298-5437
Website
Directions
San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market St.
California 95113
408-271-6840
San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum
1010 Nipomo St.
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
805-544-5437
CuriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Drive
San Mateo, California 94401
(650) 342-7755
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd.
Oakland, California 94619
510-336-7300
Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 R Street
Bakersfield, California 93301
661-323-7219
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, California 94607
510-318-8400
Lawrence Hall of Science
1 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, California 94720
510-642-5132
Habitot Children’s Museum
2065 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, California 94704
510-647-1111
Museum of Craft and Design
2569 Third Street
San Francisco, California 94107
415-773-0303
Children’s Creativity Museum
221 Fourth St.
San Francisco, California 94103
415-820-3320
Exploratorium
Pier 15
San Francisco, California 94111
415-528-4444
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, California 94118
415-379-8000
Richmond Museum of History
400 Nevin Avenue
Richmond, California 94802
510-235-7387
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Rd, Fort Baker
Sausalito, California 94965
415-339-3900
Vacaville’s Imagine That!
848-B Alamo Dr.
Vacaville, California 95688
707-474-5317
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
1835 West Steele Lane
Santa Rosa, California 95403
707-546-4069
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center
5250 Aero Dr.
Santa Rosa, California 95403
707-579-3004
Zimmer Children’s Museum by ShareWell
6505 Wilshire Blvd., #100
Los Angeles, California 90048 United States
(323) 761-8984
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036
213-763-3499
Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, California 91103
626-449-9144
Southern California Children’s Museum
459 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, California 91101
626-657-0357
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
213-763-3466
Victor Valley Museum
11873 Apple Valley Road
Apple Valley, California 92308
760-240-2111
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
7621 Granite Hill Drive
Jurupa Valley, California 92509
951-685-5818
Riverside Art Museum
3425 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, California 92501
951-684-7111
San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, California 92374
909-798-8608
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, California 92618
949-428-3900
Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
71-701 Gerald Ford Dr.
Rancho Mirage, California 97720
760-321-0602
Museum of Making Music
5790 Armada Dr.
Carlsbad, California 92008
760-438-5996
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola Ave.
Palm Desert, California 92260
760-346-5694
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
340 N. Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, California 92025
760-839-4138
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
320 North Broadway
Escondido, California 92025
760-233-7755
San Diego Archaeological Center
16666 San Pasqual Valley Rd
Escondido, California 92027
760-291-0370
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, California 92037 United States
(858) 534 3474
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
700 Prospect St.
San Diego, California 92037
858-454-3541
San Diego Art Institute
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, California 92101
619-236-0011
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, California 92101
619-232-3821
San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado Suite #3
San Diego, California 92101
619-232-6203
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Downtown
1100 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, California 92101
858-454-3541
The New Children’s Museum
200 West Island Ave
San Diego, California 92101
619-233-8792
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W Street
Eureka, California 95503
707-441-4263
Morris Graves Museum of Art
636 F St.
Eureka, California 95501
707-442-0278
Clarke Historical Museum
240 E Street
Eureka, California 95501
707-443-1947
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