The passing of H.R. 1, the federal budget reconciliation bill, expanded the definition of time limits for a population called “ABAWD” (able-bodied adults without dependents). People who fall into this category will be subject to a limit of three months of CalFresh benefits in a three-year period, unless they meet specific conditions such as working a minimum number of hours or qualifying for an exemption.

Not everyone will be classified as ABAWD, and there are layers of eligibility the county will look at to determine if people qualify for an exemption.

More info here

What is public charge?

It is part of federal immigration law to identify who might depend on the government as their main source of support in the future. If someone is considered a public charge, then the government can deny that person's application for admission into the U.S. or an application for lawful permanent resident status (LPR or "green card").

CalFresh and Medi-Cal are NOT public charge programs.

Though there was a short period of time when the definition of public charge changed, please note that the definition has returned back to what was outlined going back to 1999, making it safe for many non-citizens to access CalFresh.

Since March 9, 2021 public charge affects only some programs and some immigrants. It never impacts U.S. citizens, so it is safe to apply for the U.S.-born children of immigrants. It also does not affect MOST people with a green card, or asylees, refugees, people with U visas, T visas, VAWA, and many others.

Learn more about Public Charge and who it affects here

There are specific rules used to determine whether a college student (age 18 through 49) is eligible for CalFresh.

If you or a member of your household are currently attending college or university half time or more (as defined by your school’s degree/transfer requirements, often 7.5 units), you MAY be eligible to participate in the CalFresh Program if you meet any one of the criteria listed on our Student Eligibility page.

BenefitsCal is an online portal where Californians can get and manage benefits online. This includes food assistance (CalFresh), cash aid (CalWORKs, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), and affordable health insurance (Medi-Cal).

Many CalFresh recipients will need to complete semi-annual reports in order to continue to receive benefits. In addition, most households will need to complete a recertification form at the end of one year of benefits (or 3 years for some seniors and people with disabilities).

Learn more details and download the forms here

CDSS info about maintaining benefits

Unfortunately, a new third-party app (Ebt edge - food stamps) has been released for smartphones that imitates the official FIS ebtEDGE Mobile app and charges users a $4.99 weekly fee or $60 for lifetime access.

Do NOT download or use this app. California will never charge EBT cardholders to use the official EBT app: FIS ebtEDGE. To protect customer benefits, please only use the official, state-supported app (with the image of a fried egg).

Click here for more info.

The State has completed sending out new replacement chip/tap EBT cards. The new card has updated security features to help reduce instances of fraud and stolen benefits.

Did you or someone you know NOT receive a new chip/tap card…and the old card stopped working?

Learn more about next steps, security features, and how to use the chip/tap card.

EBT theft by skimming and scamming is on the rise!

Customers can download the ebtEDGE app to a smartphone to protect their benefits:

*With real-time tracking

*Freeze/unfreeze your card

*Stop online and out of state transactions

*Reset your PIN

*View the last 365 days of transactions

*Order EBT card replacements

*and more!

The ebtEDGE app is specifically for controlling and monitoring EBT cards.

BenefitsCal is different, is NOT an app, and is just focused on your CalFresh case itself.

Visit the EBT theft page for more info.

CalFresh income guidelines typically update annually on October 1st, which is the start the federal fiscal year. This is a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

Visit our CalFresh Outreach page for current CalFresh income guidelines.

• Applicants previously denied CalFresh because they were over income should consider reapplying if their income falls within the new limits.

• Inform customers about the verifications they will need to take deductions and maximize their benefit amounts (e.g., pay stubs, medical expense receipts, etc.). Make sure the county has the household’s most recent expenses.

• Make sure households are deducting their dependent care expenses and households with members who are age 60+ or disabled are deducting out-of-pocket medical expenses and full shelter costs.

California implements “Categorical Eligibility,” which means that most households can have gross monthly incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and their resources are not counted. These households must still meet the net monthly income standards in order to qualify for CalFresh. Visit our Categorical Eligibility page for more details.

Access forms and more information at the CalFresh Application Assistance and Training page here

This includes:

• Download a CalFresh application in English or Spanish

• Info & Downloads for SAR 7 (Semi-Annual Report) form; SAR 3 (Mid-Period Status Report); or a Recertification form

• Verification Documents Checklist

• Release of Information (ROI) form in English and Spanish

• Ways to talk about CalFresh

• Legal Services of Northern CA Guide to CalFresh Benefits

• CalFresh Outreach tools & trainings

• Informational fact sheets on Humboldt County DHHS programs

• Webinar trainings on specific CalFresh Outreach topics

• Reducing "churn" (falling off the program)

• Benefit Over-issuances

• Inter-County Transfer of CalFresh Benefits

Summer EBT, known as SUN Bucks, is a program that helps families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a card with $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. Families must use SUN Bucks within 122 days of funds being loaded to their card. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs.

Some children are automatically enrolled, and some are not and would need to fill out a form to submit to the school.

Learn more about Sun Bucks and where to find the form here

Disaster CalFresh

Disaster CalFresh is a program that provides immediate food assistance for victims of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or fires. You could get up to a month’s benefits, or $250 per person in your household. You can get Disaster CalFresh even if you don't have immigration documentation, because it isn't considered a public benefit.

If you have moved to another county in California due to fires, you can apply for Disaster CalFresh at the local County DHHS office where you are. People who are not usually eligible for CalFresh can qualify for Disaster CalFresh if they meet the criteria. If you already get CalFresh, then you are not eligible for Disaster CalFresh. Check with your county for supplemental disaster benefits and replacement benefits.

Replacement of Benefits

If food that you bought with CalFresh was damaged or lost in an emergency, you may be able to get extra benefits to replace it. Request the replacement up to 10 days after one of these things happened: Damaged in a fire, flood, or other natural disaster; Power outage; Refrigerator or freezer stopped working; Went bad after utilities got shut off; Or food bought with CalFresh was lost in another way.

After completing a form, a county DHHS worker will figure out what percentage of your benefits can be replaced. It will depend on what happened, and when. Some people can get a full month's replacement, others might only get part of the month.

Learn more about Disaster CalFresh & How to Get Benefits Replacement here

Food for People produces a series of Garden Growing Cards that explain how to grow many common vegetables and fruits in a Humboldt County garden, from seed or seedling. The back of each card includes information about CalFresh, how and where to apply in Humboldt County. Cards are accessible at farmers' markets and at Food for People distribution sites.

Plant starts and seeds that produce food can be purchased with CalFresh, and when you do so at a farmers' market, you receive Match bonus dollars to spend at the market!

Download Garden Growing Cards and learn more about using EBT at farmers’ markets here

Learn more about CalFresh eligibility requirements for specific households that contain:

• People who are mixed-status / immigrants

• Students

• People with a felony

• People experiencing homelessness

• and other specific populations

Households with people who are age 60+, or have disabilities, or are experiencing homelessness are eligible to use CalFresh/EBT at businesses participating in the Restaurant Meals Program.

More info here

Looking for flyers on this topic?

Client-facing flyer

Client-facing flyer in Spanish

RMP Info Sheet

RMP Info Sheet in Spanish

Current flyers and materials available from Humboldt County DHHS can be found on this list.