CalFresh will soon bring new SNAP payments to California. More people find it really difficult to buy healthy food after soaring prices and high inflation in the USA.
CalFresh has the aim to make up for this loss of food-buying power in California. Once you apply and get the approval, you will receive SNAP benefits through EBT cards.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Farmers markets and grocery stores take part in the CalFresh program. What is more, some eligible SNAP beneficiaries can buy prepared meals. For example, elderly people, people with a disability, or people experiencing homelessness.
CALFRESH (SNAP) PAYDAYS IN FEBRUARY
To get CalFresh benefits you must have a low income. Some applicants may qualify if they qualified for General Relief or CalWORKS. An SSI recipient may also qualify for SNAP. Legal residents and U.S. citizens are the ones who can apply. Some immigrants may be eligible too if they meet eligibility criteria.
The first day CalFresh benefits will be due next month is February 1, 2024. To get SNAP benefits on February 1, your case number must end in 1. If your case number ends in 2, you will get Food Stamps on February 2.
February 3 will be the day you collect your SNAP benefits in California if your case number ends in 3. Obviously, following the same pattern, February 5 will be your payday if your case number ends in 5.
To get benefits on February 6, your case number must end in 6. The last day to cash CalFresh benefits will be February 10. In this case, your case must end in 0. So, there will only be ten paydays in February.
CALFRESH AMOUNTS IN FEBRUARY
The exact amount of your monthly payment will depend on your financial situation and your family size. Bear in mind that if you are an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents, you will only get SNAP benefits for 3 months in three years, unless you work for 80 hours per month.
The largest SNAP benefit for a family of 4 is 973 dollars. It keeps increasing if the number of people living in the same household is bigger. For example, if you are 8, your CalFresh payment could be up to $1,751.
For your information, these maximum amounts are valid through September 30. After that, there will be a new COLA. In most cases, SNAP benefits tend to increase.
However, Hawaii had no increase in Food Stamps. Actually, they got a reduction. So, it is important not to take things for granted. Other possible maximum amounts are $291, $535, or $766 for 1, 2, or 3 people respectively. Average payments may be about $202 for a single person, so expect less money.
