CalFresh, California’s implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families to help them purchase nutritious food. Understanding the payment schedule and eligibility criteria is crucial for recipients. This article details who will receive their CalFresh benefits in the first week of July 2024 and provides an overview of the program.
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh is designed to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them with a means to meet their nutritional needs. Benefits are distributed through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card and can be used at participating grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
Eligibility for CalFresh
To qualify for CalFresh, applicants must meet certain criteria:
- Income Limits: Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For households with a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.
- Residency: Applicants must be residents of California.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens and certain legal non-citizens or resident aliens are eligible.
- Household Composition: A household can be one person, a group of people, a family, or any combination of people that buy and prepare food together.
CalFresh Payment schedule for July 2024
CalFresh benefits are distributed over the first ten days of each month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s case number. Here is the payment schedule for July 2024:
- July 1: Case numbers ending in 1
- July 2: Case numbers ending in 2
- July 3: Case numbers ending in 3
- July 4: Case numbers ending in 4
- July 5: Case numbers ending in 5
- July 6: Case numbers ending in 6
- July 7: Case numbers ending in 7
- July 8: Case numbers ending in 8
- July 9: Case numbers ending in 9
- July 10: Case numbers ending in 0
Who will receive payments this week?
For the first week of July 2024, recipients with case numbers ending in 1 through 7 will receive their CalFresh benefits. Specifically:
- July 1: Recipients with case numbers ending in 1
- July 2: Recipients with case numbers ending in 2
- July 3: Recipients with case numbers ending in 3
- July 4: Recipients with case numbers ending in 4
- July 5: Recipients with case numbers ending in 5
- July 6: Recipients with case numbers ending in 6
- July 7: Recipients with case numbers ending in 7
How to check your CalFresh Payment status
Recipients can check the status of their CalFresh payments through several methods:
- EBT Card Balance: Check the balance on your EBT card by calling the customer service number on the back of the card or by logging into your account online.
- County Social Services Office: Contact your local county social services office for assistance.
- CalFresh Info Line: Call the CalFresh Info Line at 1-877-847-3663 for information and assistance.
Difference between CalWORKs and CalFresh
CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) and CalFresh (California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are two separate programs administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Here’s a brief overview of each program:
CalWORKs:
- Provides cash assistance to eligible families with children
- Aimed at helping families achieve self-sufficiency through employment and training
- Benefits are based on family size, income, and expenses
- Recipients must meet certain requirements, such as participating in work activities and ensuring children meet school attendance requirements
CalFresh:
- Provides financial assistance to purchase food
- Helps low-income individuals and families access nutritious food
- Benefits are based on household size, income, and expenses
- Recipients can use their benefits to purchase food at participating stores and farmers’ markets
While both programs are designed to support low-income individuals and families, they have different goals and eligibility requirements. Some individuals and families may be eligible for both CalWORKs and CalFresh, while others may only be eligible for one program.
What to do if you don’t receive your payment
If you do not receive your CalFresh payment on the expected date, take the following steps:
- Verify your case number: Ensure that you are checking the correct date based on the last digit of your case number.
- Check your EBT Card balance: Confirm that the payment has not been deposited.
- Contact Your county office: Reach out to your local county social services office to report the issue and seek assistance.
