GetCalFresh.org is a website you can use to apply for California Food Stamps, also known as CalFresh or SNAP online. The GetCalFresh portal makes it easy to submit an application for benefits, upload documents and even submit your SAR 7 Report for many counties in California. In this post, we will focus on how to apply for CalFresh online with GetCalFresh.org.
Before we get into CalFresh application online with GetCalFresh.org, we will first explain what CalFresh is about.
Next, we will walk you through who is eligible for CalFresh and the 2023 income limits.
Also, we will list the three ways to apply for CalFresh, including online with GetCalFresh.org
We will then walk you through the step-by-step process of how to apply for CalFresh online with GetCalFresh.org.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked question from our readers about CalFresh.
Table of Content:
- What is CalFresh?
- Who is Eligible for CalFresh?
- CalFresh Income Limits – 2023
- How much will I get in CalFresh?
- How do I apply for CalFresh Benefits?
- Apply for CalFresh online with GetCalFresh.org
- CalFresh FAQs
What is CalFresh?
The CalFresh Program is California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP and formerly known as Food Stamps.
CalFresh assists low-income individuals and households to purchase nutritional food.
Eligibility for CalFresh, as well as the benefit amount, is based on your household’s size and income level.
A household can be one person, a group of people, a family, or any combination of people that buy and prepare food together.
Children living with their parents are considered part of the same household until age 22.
Furthermore, many legal non-citizens are eligible for CalFresh benefits.
Also, even if you can’t get CalFresh benefits for yourself, other members of your household may be eligible.
Who is Eligible for CalFresh?
Here are the categories of people who live in the state of California that are eligible for CalFresh:
- Any California household or individual (including the homeless) with low or no income
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
- CalWORKS or CAAP applicants can apply for CalFresh as part of their application process for those services
- Students of higher education who meet eligibility requirements
- Legal permanent residents and qualified immigrants
CalFresh Income Limits – 2023
Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.
| California SNAP (CalFresh) Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2,266 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $3,052 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $3,839 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $4,625 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $5,412 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $6,199 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $6,985 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $7,772 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $787 | $394 |
How much will I get in CalFresh?
Use the chart below to find the Maximum SNAP Allotment Amount for your household size.
Note: If you already get the maximum SNAP benefit, you will get 15% more than the maximum allotment for your household size through September 2023.
The 2023 maximum SNAP allotments for the District of Columbia and all states other than Alaska and Hawaii are as follows:
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
How do I apply for CalFresh Benefits?
There are three ways you can apply for CalFresh benefits:
Option 1 – Online
You can apply online at www.GetCalFresh.org. See the step by steps instructions below on how to apply for CalFresh online.
Option 2 – By Mail or Phone
You can call your county Department of Social Services (CDSS) Office to apply by phone or have an application mailed to you.
To locate a CDSS office near you, click here.
You can complete the paper application and return it to your county CDSS office for processing.
Option 3 – In Person
Apply at your county Department of Social Services (CDSS) office.
To locate a CDSS office near you, click here.
After you submit an application, you will be contacted by an eligibility worker to complete the application process.
Apply for CalFresh online with GetCalFresh.org
Step 1
To get started with applying for CalFresh through GetCalFresh.org click here.
This should take about 10 minutes.
Once on the page, click “Continue”.
The first step in the process begins with a request for basic information.
See below.
First, you will have to enter your Zip code.
This helps identity your county of residence.
You can also skip the zip code section and click on the “Select my county instead”.
If you choose this option, then you will have to select your county of residence from the drop-down menu as shown below.
Next, you will have to provide the following personal information:
Your First and Last Name (as they appear on your legal ID)
After that, you will be asked to provide information about anyone else in your household that you purchase and prepare food with.
This is being asked to make sure everyone in your household who needs CalFresh is identified.
If there is no other person as part of your household, click “Just Me” to continue.
If you have applied for CalFresh within the last year, answer “Yes” to the question below, otherwise, answer “No” to continue.
Next, you will begin the application for CalFresh.
Continue reading.
Step 2
In Step 2 of the process, you will answer questions about whether you fall under one of the following:
- SSI recipients
- Elderly Applications
- Disabled Applicants
If you do, there is additional information that has to be collected to make sure you get the maximum benefit you are eligible for.
If you are an SSI recipient, check “Yes”, otherwise, check “No”.
Also, if you are age 60 or older, or if you are getting disability benefits, check “Yes”, otherwise, check “No”.
Next, you will be asked about the citizenship status of all applicants.
Select the number of people that apply below.
Additionally, you will have to answer whether there are any college students in your household.
If there are, there are special requirements college students have to meet in order to be eligible for SNAP or CalFresh.
Step 3
In step 3 of the process, you will be asked to enter information about the income of your household.
The CalFresh income limit is the most important requirement your household has to meet in order to be eligible for benefits.
First, you have to enter your employment information.
This includes whether you work for yourself, are a contractor, or a freelancer.
If you have lost your job in the last 30 days, click the appropriate box below.
You will also have to provide information about the number of jobs you currently have.
This helps determine the the proof of income information you will have to provide.
Next, you will be asked to provide your wage details.
Provide information here on how often you get paid.
Based on the information you provide, your wage will be calculated.
Review to make sure the information is correct.
If you are receiving unemployment benefits, click the box that applies.
You can still receive CalFresh even if you are unemployed. 
Next, you will be asked if you are currently receiving any other form of income.
Also, if you pay child support, click the box that applies.
Now, you have to provide information about how much cash you have on hand – including your check or savings accounts.
Based on the information you have provided about your income, a summary will be provided to you for your review, as shown below.
If everything looks good, click “This looks correct” to continue.
Based on the information you have provided, the system will then tell you if you are likely to be approved for CalFresh.
If you are eligible, click on the “Continue” link to finish your application, as shown below.
Expenses and deductions
Step 4
Step 4 of the process will collect information regarding your household expenses.
It starts with information about your housing payment.
Next, you will be required to provide information about utilities.
Check all that applies to your household.
Additionally, you will be asked to provide childcare costs.
Once you have provided the expense information requested, you will be provided with a summary, as shown below.
Review the information and make sure it is correct.
If everything looks good, click the “This looks correct” link to proceed.
To finish the application, click “Continue”, as shown below.
Step 5
You are almost done. The final step of the process involves the collection of additional personal information.
Enter your day and year of birth, your sex, and your Social Security number and hit Continue as shown below.
Follow the instructions to complete your application.
CalFresh FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about CalFresh benefits from our readers:
Is GetCalFresh Legit or a Scam?
GetCalFresh is a legitimate organization that helps California residents apply for and keep CalFresh benefits.
The GetCalFresh.org website is a service delivered by Code for America on behalf of the people of California.
The organization believes every Californian who qualifies for help paying for groceries should be able to reliably get and keep CalFresh benefits with ease, efficiency, and dignity.
GetCalFresh works with and is in close partnership with state agencies, county offices, and community organizations in California to close the SNAP participation gap in California.
The website makes it easier to apply for CalFresh/California food stamps by simplifying the process.
Does GetCalFresh work in every county in California?
Yes, get GetCalFresh works in every county in California, including:
- Alameda
- Fresno
- Los Angeles
- Orange
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Ventura
How do I know if I got approved for CalFresh?
To see if your CalFresh application has been approved, contact the caseworker or call the information hotline and ask about the status of your application.
Click here to locate the phone number to the CalFresh office near you.
Additionally, you may visit your local Social Services office to check on the status of your CalFresh application.
Click the link above to find an office location near you.
Can CalFresh look at your bank account?
Some readers have asked whether CalFresh can look directly into your bank accounts to verify the information you submitted on your application.
The answer is NO.
However, the California Department of Social Service (CDSS) may double-check your records by looking for bank accounts that you have not attested to having.
Also, they may contact your employers or other individuals to verify that your monthly income is indeed what you say that it is.
Additionally, they may also require certain other banking documents to ensure that the documentation you provide is truthful and authentic.
How long does it take to get CalFreshfood after the interview?
Generally, if your interview was successful and you have been found eligible for CalFresh, you will receive your benefits within 30 days after the date of your first application.
However, some people can receive their benefits sooner if they qualify for expedited benefits.
Your food stamps benefits will be deposited each month on a California EBT Card, which you can use to purchase eligible foods.
How long can you receive CalFresh benefits?
CalFresh households must “recertify” their eligibility in order to keep continuously receiving CalFresh benefits
In California, most households have a 12-month certification period.
However, some households with elderly or disabled members have a 24-month certification period.
Also, households that only have elderly and/or disabled members and no earned income are certified for 36 months.
How to Apply for CalFresh online with GetCalFresh.org Summary
We hope this post on how to apply for CalFresh online with GetCalFresh.org was helpful.
If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:
