CalFresh
CalFresh, also known as SNAP/EBT, is a long-term food assistance program for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.
CalFresh funds are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card each month and can be used to purchase groceries at most grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets, Amazon.com, Walmart, and Instacart.
Eligibility pre-screen
Complete our pre-screen form to see if you might qualify for CalFresh and to get connected to the NVC CalFresh team!
Eligibility Criteria
The application collects information about your current situation including household size, income, eligibiltiy to work/hours, school enrollment status, and residency status:
Household Information
Your household size is defined as the people you normally purchase and prepare food with.
2024-2025 CalFresh Income Criteria
LPIEs (Local Programs that Increase Employability)
If you are enrolled in an LPIE program, you can qualify for an exemption to the work requirement. This list shows all eligible LPIE majors and certificates at NVC.
Residency Status
Your household must include at least one US citizen or a Permanent Resident Noncitizens (Legal Permanent Residents [LPR’s]) to meet this criteria.
make an appointment to apply
Book an appointment hereto meet with a CalFresh Outreach team member for support completing your application.
Apply on your own
Click here to completethe application for CalFresh if you prefer to apply on your own.
upload supporting documents
You are not required to upload documents when you submit your application but you may be asked for verification documents later. A county worker will notify you know which documentation is required to verify your eligibility. It may be helpful to prepare requested documents, including:
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- Proof of identity (Driver’s License, State ID card, Student ID)
- Proof of income (like recent pay stubs, or unemployment benefits)
- Proof of expenses (like medical costs, or child care)
30-day application period
The 30-day application period begins once the County receives your application. Look out for a phone call or mail from the county office with the date and time of your interview. Let the NVC CalFresh Outreach Team know if you have not heard from the county within the first 7 days.
Within the 30-day application period the county may request that you submit any missing verification documents. You can upload documnets through your BenefitsCal portal. Examples of verification documentation include: Copy of ID, Proof of address, Utility Bill, Pay stubs, Financial aid award letter and schedule.
Sar-7 report
6 months after the county approves your application, you will need to verify your eligibility by completing the SAR-7 Eligibility Report.
The County will contact you by phone or email letting you know when your SAR-7 is due and the time/date of your interview.
snap retail locator
The SNAP Retailer Locator makes it easy to find stores near you that accept CalFresh/EBT. Just type in your address, city, or zip code, and the map will show nearby locations with directions.
SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks are summer groceries for kids. SUN Bucks provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child when school is out for summer. Children can receive SUN Bucks on top of other benefits like SNAP and WIC.
Market match
Market Match is a program that helps CalFresh recipients stretch their food dollars at participating farmers’ markets. When you use your CalFresh/EBT card to buy fruits and vegetables, Market Match provides extra funds—often dollar-for-dollar up to a set amount—to spend on more fresh produce. This means you can take home more healthy, locally grown food for the same cost.