Department of Social Services - Santa Maria

CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) is a federally mandated, state-supervised, and county-operated government entitlement program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels.
In general, these benefits are for any food or food product intended for human consumption and can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.
If you are finding it difficult to afford the nutritious food that you and your family needs, the CalFresh Program may be able to help you.
The amount of benefits you can receive is dependent on your family size, countable income, and monthly expenses such as housing, utilities, and so forth.
All u.s. citizens or Legal Permanent Resident children may qualify to receive CalFresh benefits, regardless of where the parents were born.
Parents may also qualify for benefits if all other program guidelines are met.
Individuals with no children also may qualify.
The program issues monthly benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores.These benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which looks like any other credit card. You do not have to be on welfare to get CalFresh benefits.
Eligibility for CalFresh assistance, as well as the benefit amount, is based on your households size and income level.
Benefits may not be used for items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, or paper products.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.
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Mondays through Fridays 8:30 am to 5 pm.