CA DSS - Department of Social Services

In California, eligibility for food benefits and/or cash aid assistance is determined at the local county office. This the local County office.

CAlfresh is the State of California Food Stamp Program, also know as SNAP. This is a county operated Federal program. Benefits are for food or food products for a healthy nutritional diet.

Electronic Benefit Cards, EBT, are used to purchase CAlfresh items.

Income requirement for CAlfresh:

CalFresh households, except those containing an aged (60 or older) or disabled member or where all members receive cash assistance, are subject to gross and net income determination tests.
Gross Income - all non-excludable income from any source including all earned income and all unearned income. The maximum gross allowed is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)[except for households who are sanctioned, households with certain convicted drug felons (until April 1, 2015) or households who have been convicted of an Intentional Program Violation]. If the household passes the gross income test, then the net income test is computed. Net income is computed by deducting the following, if applicable, from gross income. The resultant amount cannot exceed 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.


Office HoursMonday - Friday7:30am - 5:00pmCalWORKs Employment ServicesThe CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Program is a component of CalWORKs. The program assists CalWORKs recipients in seeking, obtaining and retaining employment that leads to self-sufficiency. Welfare-to-Work staff help and encourage participants in overcoming the barriers that prevent employment. Participants are eligible for a variety of supportive services to assist them in becoming and remaining employed; some of these services are provided through partner agencies.