CalFresh Frequently Asked Questions

Your CalFresh allotment depends on the size of your household. The maximum allotment for one person is $204 per month. The maximum allotment for a four person family is $680. In California, the average amount of benefits per person is approximately $150 per month, and the average amount of benefits per household is $330.

The chart below is effective 10/1/2020 for the Thrifty Food Plan maximum allotment amounts based on household size.

Household Size	Thrifty Food Plan	Temporary 15% increase 1/1/21-06/30/21
1	$204	$234
2	$374	$430
3	$535	$616
4	$680	$782
5	$807	$929
6	$969	$1114
7	$1,071	$1232
8	$1,224	$1408
Each additional member	+$153	+$176

As of February 1, 2011 your resources (bank accounts, cash on hand, etc.) are not considered in the eligibility determination. The resources of a household are only looked at when screening for emergency appointments and /or when a household exceeds the gross income limit for their household size. Resource limits are $2,250 or $3,500 if the household has an elderly and/or disabled member.

Household gross monthly income (prior to deductions) cannot exceed 200 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. For a household of three, this is $3620. A household’s net monthly income cannot exceed 100 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. For a household of three, this is $1,810.

CalFresh can be used to buy any food or food product that is produced for human consumption. The exception to this is hot foods or lunch counter items prepared or heated in the store. CalFresh benefits cannot be used to buy non-food items like soap, toilet paper or shampoo. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, vitamins or medicines, and pet food are also excluded. You can, however, use your CalFresh benefits to purchase seeds and plants for use in home gardens to produce food.

Yes. Being married and/or having children are not requirements.

Yes. In California, 60 percent of the CalFresh households also receive cash aid from other public assistance programs. There is a restriction that a household cannot participate simultaneously in the CalFresh Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

As of June 1^st, 2019, SSI/SSP recipients may be eligible to receive CalFresh in addition to receiving a monthly SSP benefit.

Yes. A person must reside in the county in which an application is filed. Residence in a permanent dwelling or a fixed mailing address is not required.

In Contra Costa County you can apply for CalFresh in several different ways:

• Complete an online application from any computer 24 hours 7 days a week.
• Fax a completed application to (925) 228-0310
• Mail a completed application to any district office listed below.
  Download a CalFresh Application: ENG | ESP
• Visit any of our 5 district office locations:

East County	Central County	West County
4545 Delta Fair Boulevard Antioch	400 Ellinwood Way Pleasant Hill	151 Linus Pauling Drive Hercules
151 Sand Creek Road Brentwood		1305 Macdonald Avenue Richmond
All office hours:	8:00AM – 5:00PM	Monday – Friday

*Minimum requirements to file a CalFresh application:

1. Applicant’s name and
2. Household’s address (unless homeless), and
3. Signature of head of household, any adult household member or an authorized representative, or responsible minor.

For questions and assistance, please call the 24 hour toll free automated information line:
(877) 505-4630.