CalFresh is a benefits assistance program that helps limited-income individuals and families buy the food they need in order to stay healthy. If you live in the County of Colusa, California, and need help with CalFresh, we can help. In this post, we will review everything you need to know about CalFresh Colusa County.
This includes CalFresh eligibility, how to apply for benefits, How to renew your benefits, BenefitsCal login help, and Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contact information.
Before we get into CalFresh eligibility guidelines, first, we will explain what CalFresh is about and who is eligible to apply.
Next, we will explain each of the eligibility guidelines in detail, including the income limit, which is the most important.
We will then walk you through the 3 ways you can apply for CalFresh in Colusa County.
Also, we will share details on how much you are likely to receive in CalFresh if you are approved.
Additionally, we will review the CalFresh renewal process in Colusa County and what you need to know to successfully complete SAR 7 or recertification.
Furthermore, we will explain the restaurant meals program in Colusa County and how you can use your EBT card to buy food at restaurants and fast food places if you are eligible.
Lastly, we will provide HHS contact information, including the phone number and hours of operation.
Table of Contents:
Applying for CalFresh in the Colusa County
- CalFresh In Colusa County
- Who is Eligible for CalFresh?
- CalFresh Eligibility Guidelines
- CalFresh Income Limits – 2023
- How Much in CalFresh will I Get?
- How do I apply for CalFresh Benefits in Colusa County?
Managing Your CalFresh Benefits
- Colusa County CalFresh Login (BenefitsCal Account Login)
- How to Renew CalFresh in Colusa County
- CalFresh Colusa County Phone Number
- Restaurants that take CalFresh in Colusa County
- What is CalFresh?
- CalFresh Colusa County
- Who is Eligible for CalFresh?
- What You Need to Apply for CalFresh
- CalFresh Income Limits - 2023
- How Much in CalFresh will I Get?
- How do I apply for CalFresh in Colusa County?
- Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services office locations
- BenefitsCal Login Help
- How to Renew CalFresh in Colusa County
- Colusa County CalFresh Renewal Timeline
- Colusa County CalFresh Renewal Process
- CalFresh Recertification Process
- CalFresh Colusa County Phone Number
- Frequently Asked Questions About CalFresh in Colusa County
- Colusa County Farmers Markets
- I need food Now. What Should I do?
- CalFresh Colusa County Summary
What is CalFresh?
The CalFresh Program is California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP and was 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.
Additionally, Seniors and certain students are eligible for CalFresh benefits.
Once approved monthly benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that works just like a bank debit card.
You can use your California EBT card to buy eligible food items at most grocery stores, markets (including some Farmers’ Markets), and online.
CalFresh Colusa County
In Colusa County, the CalFresh program is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
In addition to CalFresh benefits, the HHS also handles CalWORKs, General Relief, and MediCal applications and benefits.
Furthermore, BenefitsCal is the website for Colusa County Residents to apply for and to view their benefits online.
We will walk you through how to sign up for a BenefitsCal account or log in to your account if you already have done.
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
What You Need to Apply for CalFresh
Here’s what you need to apply for CalFresh benefits:
Proof of Identity
Applicants must provide proof of their identity to show that they are the person they claim to be.
Identity may be verified through a variety of documents, including but not limited to,
- Department of Motor Vehicles ID or driver’s license
- Work or school ID
- Voter registration card
- Birth certificate
Social Security Numbers
Individuals, including children, applying for CalFresh benefits, must either provide a Social Security number or proof they have applied for a Social Security Number.
Household members that are not eligible for CalFresh do not have to provide or apply for a Social Security Number.
Residency
The applicant must live in the state of California and must apply in their county of residence.
Persons without a permanent residence or a fixed mailing address can get CalFresh as long as they can prove residency in a county.
Work Rules
There are special rules for able-bodied adults without dependent children.
If you are an able-bodied adult without dependents and are between the ages of 18 and 50, here’s what you need to know:
You must register for work or be working at least 20 hours per week or an average of 80 hours per month to receive CalFresh benefits.
Citizenship Status
U. S. citizens and many non-citizens are eligible for CalFresh.
Furthermore, even if some members of the household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get CalFresh benefits.
Eligibility for Aged and Disabled Households
There are special rules for households with seniors and people who are disabled.
If you are age 60 or over, or you are receiving Social Security Disability or Medi-Cal due to a disability, or a full VA pension here’s what you need to know.
You may be eligible with income over the regular limits if you pay very high rent and utilities and/or have medical expenses over $35 per month.
However, this must be computed on a case-by-case basis.
Some Households are Subject to Resources (Asset) Limit
Some households are subject to resource limits when applying for CalFresh
Resources are counted as part of CalFresh eligibility only for those households that :
- Contain a member who has been disqualified from participating in CalFresh because of an Intentional Program Violation,
- Have a head of the household that does not comply with work requirements,
- Have any member of the household that has been convicted of certain categories of drug felonies
CalFresh Resource Limit
Households that fit one of the three descriptions above are subject to a resource limit of $2,500.
However, households with an elderly or disabled person must have assets of $3,750 or less.
Income and Deductions
To be eligible for CalFresh, your monthly gross income (before payroll deductions) must be the same or below the amount listed in the chart for your household size.
CalFresh counts most types of income to determine if a household is eligible.
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.
For CalFresh purposes, gross monthly income means a household’s total income before excluding allowable deductions.
Also, deductions are expenses that are subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income to arrive at the net monthly income.
CalFresh Income Limits – 2023
Here’s what you need to know about CalFresh income limits for 2023:
Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.
If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.
| 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 |
CalFresh Income Deductions
Deductions are allowable expenses that can be subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income to arrive at the net monthly income.
The net monthly income is used to determine eligibility and the amount of CalFresh benefits that will be received monthly.
CalFresh deductions include:
- 20% deduction from earned income,
- A standard deduction of $193 for households with 1-4 members,
- A standard deduction of $225 for a household with 5 members,
- Standard deduction of $258 for a household with 6 or more members,
- Cost of childcare when needed to work, seek work or attend training for work,
- Medical expenses exceeding $35 for elderly or disabled household members,
- Court-ordered child support payments paid to non-household members, and
- A portion of shelter (rent or mortgage) and utility costs
How Much in CalFresh will I Get?
If you are approved for food stamps in California, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- Total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
The table below shows the maximum CalFresh benefits for households with zero income.
As your income increases, your CalFresh benefit amount goes down.
| CalFresh Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size | |
| 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: | $211 |
How do I apply for CalFresh in Colusa County?
There are three ways you can apply for CalFresh benefits:
Option 1 – Online
The easier and quickest way to apply for CalFresh in Colusa County is online at BenefitsCal.com.
Option 2 – By Phone
You can call Colusa County HHS to apply by phone or have an application mailed to you.
Here is the number to call:
HHS Customer Service Center (CSC) (530) 458-0250 and request an application be mailed to you.
Fill out the application packet and mail it to:
Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services
251 E. Webster Street
Colusa, CA 95932
Option 3 – In Person
Lastly, you can apply In person at any of the Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offices.
To locate a Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services office near you, click here or see the list below.
After you submit an application, you will be contacted by an eligibility worker to complete the application process.
Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services office locations
Here’s the list of Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services office locations that handle CalFresh applications and benefits.
Colusa County Health and Human Services Office
251 E. Webster Street
Colusa, CA 95932
Phone: (530) 458-0250
Fax: (530) 458-0492
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
BenefitsCal Login Help
If you live in Colusa County, then you can use the BenefitsCal online portal to apply for and manage benefit assistance.
Follow the instructions below for help logging in BenefitsCal online account.
If you do not have an account, see our guide on how to create BenefitsCal Account.
Step 1 – Visit BenefitsCal Website
To start the login process for your BenefitsCal account, visit the BenefitsCal Account website at https://benefitscal.com/.
Once you are on the homepage you will need to locate the “Log In” button, which is usually located at the top of the site (see image below).
Click on the “Log In” button to proceed with the process.
Step 2 – Enter Email Address and Password
Next, you will be taken to a page where you will be required to enter your account email address and password, as shown below.
Once you enter the correct email address and password, click “Log In” to continue, as shown by the image below.
Step 3 – View your account
If you entered the correct email address and password, you will be automatically taken to your BenefitsCal account page, as shown below.
Once there, you can perform a variety of tasks, including applying for:
- Federal Emergency Rental Assistance
- Food Stamps/SNAP
- Cash Assistance
- Medicaid
- Discounts on Subway Fares
Step 4 – First Time Login
When you first log in to your BenefitsCal account, you will see the page below.
Accept the terms and conditions to proceed.
Step 5 – BenefitsCal Dashboard
After you have accepted the terms and conditions, you will be taken to the page below, which is your BenefitsCal dashboard.
Forgot Password?
If you forgot your password, click on the “Forgot Your Password” link as shown in the image below.
Next, you will be required to enter your email address to reset your password, as shown in the image below.
Once you have entered your email address, click “Next” to reset your password.
The video below does a great job of walking you through how to reset your password.
If you still need further assistance in resetting your BenefitCal password, we suggest you watch the video below.
How to Renew CalFresh in Colusa County
In order to keep your CalFresh benefits in Colusa County, there are four requirements you have to meet each year.
They are:
- CalFresh Work Requirements
- Income Change Reporting
- Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7 form)
- Annual CalFresh Renewal and Recertification
Colusa County CalFresh Renewal Timeline
The table below provides a simple overview of the CalFresh renewal process.
It includes SAR 7 renewal and annual recertification timeline.
As you will see below, the table shows the specific date each renewal process has to be completed based on the date of your initial application for CalFresh.
| Initial CalFresh Application | SAR-7 Timeline | Recertification Timeline | |||
| 1 | January | June | 5th | December | 5th |
| 2 | February | July | 5th | January | 5th |
| 3 | March | August | 5th | February | 5th |
| 4 | April | September | 5th | March | 5th |
| 5 | May | October | 5th | April | 5th |
| 6 | June | November | 5th | May | 5th |
| 7 | July | December | 5th | June | 5th |
| 8 | August | January | 5th | July | 5th |
| 9 | September | February | 5th | August | 5th |
| 10 | October | March | 5th | September | 5th |
| 11 | November | April | 5th | October | 5th |
| 12 | December | May | 5th | November | 5th |
Colusa County CalFresh Renewal Process
You must turn in this recertification application and be interviewed before the end of your certification period to continue receiving CalFresh.
In many counties, you can complete this recertification application online.
We will first explain the recertification process, then we will explain how you can complete the process online.
CalFresh Recertification Process
Here are the steps you need to take to complete the CalFresh recertification process.
Step 1 – Complete the Recertification Application Form
Click here for the recertification application form.
Be sure to answer all questions on the recertification application.
Step 2 – Submit Your Recertification Application Form
Next, turn in the signed application to the County.
You can do so in person, by mail, by fax, or online. Here’s how:
In-Person
Submit your Renewal form in person at your County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office. Click here to locate an HHS Office near you or see the address above.
If you are submitting by mail or fax, contact your county CalFresh Office for their fax number or mailing address.
Online
You can complete the re-certification online using the BenefitsCal Portal.
Click here for help logging into your BenefitsCal account or see the instructions above.
If you do not have a BenefitsCal account, click here for help creating one.
Step 3 – CDSS Acknowledgment and Interview Appointment
The County CalFresh office will send you an interview appointment letter to discuss your recertification application.
Most interviews are done by phone.
Step 4 – Attend the Recertification Interview
The next step in the recertification process is to attend your interview on the appointed date.
During the interview, your caseworker will go over the information on the application and will ask questions to recertify you for CalFresh and determine your benefits.
Bring proof of changes in:
- Income
- Number of People in Your Household (People buying/eating together)
- Housing costs.
It is very important to keep your interview even if you do not have proof of the changes discussed above.
Step 5 – Recertification Application Decision
Next, your caseworker will make a decision regarding your recertification.
You will know by mail whether you will keep receiving CalFresh benefits, what your benefit amount will be, and if there are any other changes.
CalFresh Colusa County Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Colusa County HHS regarding your CalFresh benefits:
The Customer Service Center is a “single point of contact” currently providing services for the following aid programs:
- CalWORK
- CalFresh
- Medi-Cal
- General Relief
Phone numbers
To find out about the status of your case or application, or to ask any other questions about your case, you can call:
Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services Call Center:
(530) 458-0250
Frequently Asked Questions About CalFresh in Colusa County
Here are the most frequently asked questions about CalFresh in Colusa County.
How much can Seniors get in CalFresh benefits?
The amount of CalFresh Food benefits a household receives is based on household size, income, and monthly expenses, such as housing, utilities, and medical costs.
Benefits amounts range from $20 – $250 per month.
The best way to know exactly how much a Senior may receive in CalFresh is to apply.
To calculate the exact amount you are likely to get based on your household income, see our post on California SNAP Calculator.
What Income Changes do I have to Report to CalFresh?
CalFresh recipients are typically required to complete a yearly recertification and a semi-annual reporting process starting with a packet received by mail.
These processes may be completed by phone, online, by mail, fax, or in person.
Additionally, CalFresh beneficiaries are required to report certain changes within 10 days rather than waiting for the semi-annual or annual renewal process, such as:
- Income increases above a certain amount
- If you are an Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD), you must report when you work less than 20 hours a week or when your training hours drop to less than 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month.
If I am receiving SSI/SSP, can I also receive CalFresh benefits?
Starting June 1, 2019, the CalFresh food assistance program expanded to include eligible older adults and people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) benefits.
There are multiple ways to connect with HHS for new households to apply:
CALL: 1-(530) 458-0250 to apply by phone,
CLICK: BenefitsCal.com to apply online, or
IN PERSON: Locate your local county office at https://www.countyofcolusa.org/797/CalFresh.
What if I am Elderly or have a Disability?
If you are 60 years old or over, or have a verified disability, you are not required to look for work while receiving CalFresh.
Additionally, you may also be eligible to claim high medical bills that health insurance doesn’t cover as part of your CalFresh application.
What can CalFresh benefits be used to purchase?
CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase:
- Foods for human consumption.
- Seeds and plants to grow food for household use.
Are there items I cannot purchase with CalFresh benefits?
Yes. CalFresh benefits cannot be used to purchase:
- Any non-food items, including pet food, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, and cosmetics.
- Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
- Vitamins and medicines.
- Any food that will be eaten in the store.
- Any food marketed to be heated in the store.
Can I Use my California SNAP EBT on Instacart?
Yes. You can also use your California Food Stamps benefits with Instacart.
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service, to buy groceries at SNAP-participating retailers for delivery or pickup.
Instacart provides groceries through the following EBT SNAP retailers:
- ALDI
- FoodMaxx
- Lucky Supermarkets
- Save Mart
What Farmers Markets Accept CalFresh in Colusa County?
Many Farmer’s Markets across Colusa County allow users to use CalFresh.
Here are three reasons why it pays to use your CalFresh benefits at Farmers’ Market
- Produce may cost less at Farmers’ Market than at the grocery store!
- Farmers’ Market produce is grown locally and freshness is unbeatable!
- By using your CalFresh benefits at Farmers’ Market, you help support the local economy and small farms.
You can also get an extra $10 to spend on produce when you use your CalFresh EBT Card at select farmers’ markets under the Market Match program.
To find a Market Match farmers market near you, click here.
Colusa County Farmers Markets
Below is a list of farmers’ markets in Colusa county. Be sure to call each market to make sure they accept EBT.
You can also find out whether they offer Double EBT Match.
Colusa County Farmer’s Market
Veterans Memorial Park,
217 9th Street,
Colusa, 95932
(530) 458-3028
Open: Jun – Sep
Thursdays: 4 – 7pm
I need food Now. What Should I do?
If you need food now, you can contact Food Pantries and soup kitchens in Colusa County using the phone numbers below:
Food Pantries in Colusa County, CA
Williams Family Action Center (WFAC)
1404 E Street, Room 102
Williams, CA 95987
Phone: 530.473.4311
Website – https://www.wfackids.org/
Arbuckle Family Action Center (AFAC)
812 King St,
Arbuckle, CA 95912
Phone: (530) 668-0690
Website – https://www.afackids.org/
CalFresh Colusa County Summary
We hope this post on CalFresh Colusa County was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about CalFresh in Colusa County 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: