While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The California SNAP food assistance program is administered by the California Department of Social Services. Learn more about SNAP on the California Department of Social Services website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each additional household member | +211 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in California, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in California, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about California’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the California Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply here.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on California’s assistance portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest California Department of Social Services office location.
To apply for SNAP by phone, call 1 (877) 847-3663.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your local county social service agency. Click here for office contact information. You can also call the CalFresh Info Line at 1 (877) 847-3663.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you have submitted your application, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be in person or by telephone.
If documents are missing from your application or the Department of Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, your application will be delayed.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (877) 328-9677. You can also check you balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the California Department of Social Services, you can appeal your decision online, by phone, by mail or by fax.
To file an appeal online, click here.
To file a claim by phone, call 1 (800) 743-8525.
To file a claim by mail or by fax, you will need to complete the “Request for State Hearing” on the back of the determination notice or write a letter that includes the following information:
Then send the request by fax to 1 (833) 281-0905 or by mail to:
California Department of Social ServicesState Hearings DivisionP.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-37Sacramento, California 94244-2430
For more information on the appeal process, review the state’s webpage on State Hearing Requests here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (877) 328-9677. You can also check you balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the California Department of Social Services EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (877) 847-3663 for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call California’s EBT customer service number at 1 (877) 328-9677.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Social Services office in California.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the CalFresh Benefits Helpline at 1 (877) 847-3663. You can also email the California Department of Social Services at piar@dss.ca.gov.
You can also visit or call a local Department of Social Services office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 25, 2022
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the California Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply here.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on California’s assistance portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest California Department of Social Services office location.
To apply for SNAP by phone, call 1 (877) 847-3663.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your local county social service agency. Click here for office contact information. You can also call the CalFresh Info Line at 1 (877) 847-3663.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you have submitted your application, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be in person or by telephone.
If documents are missing from your application or the Department of Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, your application will be delayed.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (877) 328-9677. You can also check you balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the California Department of Social Services, you can appeal your decision online, by phone, by mail or by fax.
To file an appeal online, click here.
To file a claim by phone, call 1 (800) 743-8525.
To file a claim by mail or by fax, you will need to complete the “Request for State Hearing” on the back of the determination notice or write a letter that includes the following information:
Then send the request by fax to 1 (833) 281-0905 or by mail to:
California Department of Social ServicesState Hearings DivisionP.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-37Sacramento, California 94244-2430
For more information on the appeal process, review the state’s webpage on State Hearing Requests here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (877) 328-9677. You can also check you balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the California Department of Social Services EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (877) 847-3663 for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call California’s EBT customer service number at 1 (877) 328-9677.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Social Services office in California.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the CalFresh Benefits Helpline at 1 (877) 847-3663. You can also email the California Department of Social Services at piar@dss.ca.gov.
You can also visit or call a local Department of Social Services office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 25, 2022