C alFresh is California's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and benefits families who have sufficiently low incomes and meet other eligibility factors.

Food benefits may be available within three business days after an application is submitted. To qualify, you must provide identification and meet all other CalFresh requirements.

If I lost my job, does it affect my application for CalFresh?

If you have just lost your job, you can definitely apply for CalFresh . If you stopped receiving your salary or payment for your work, the county where you reside will count the final payments you received during the last 30 days to calculate the amount of CalFresh you will receive during the first month.

If you still have some income, the benefits you will continue to receive will be based on that amount you receive, not on the income you are no longer receiving. It is best to keep some proof of any income you have received in the last 30 days.

While it is not necessary to provide proof that you stopped receiving your salary, this document can facilitate the process of applying for CalFresh . This proof can be a letter, or screenshot of a text, or an email from your employer explaining the suspension of work or payments. You can also submit a letter explaining that you are no longer working, including the date of the last day you worked, your signature, and the date you submitted it.

If you still have a job but have not been given working hours or are not being paid , in your application you should answer "yes" about your employment status and explain in the case detail that your income is currently $0.

Can I receive CalFresh support and unemployment benefits at the same time?

For the question 'Can I receive CalFresh and unemployment benefits at the same time?', the answer is yes, as long as the amount of money you receive as unemployment insurance does not exceed the maximum limits set by CalFresh . In fact, when applying for CalFresh enrollment, they can help you calculate if the amounts exceed the limits.

Conversely, if you receive CalFresh support and apply for unemployment insurance, it does not affect the amount of money you receive for unemployment.

Finally, if you have an unemployment insurance claim in progress, but have not received your first payment, you do not need to report it on your CalFresh application. Whereas, if you are already receiving CalFresh now and have started receiving unemployment insurance or if the amount has changed, the recommendation is to contact your county offices to inform them about this change and receive advice on the next steps to follow.