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 Hours: Mondays through Fridays 8:30am to 5pm. Benefits ProvidedCalWORKsThis is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses.CALFreshFederally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores.Medi-Cal This is California's Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. Medi-Cal is financed equally by the State and federal government.