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 Monterey, California, and need help with CalFresh, we can help. In this post, we will review everything you need to know about CalFresh Monterey County – including CalFresh eligibility, how to apply for benefits, How to renew your benefits, BenefitsCal login help, and DSS 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 Monterey County.
Also, we will walk you through how much you are likely to receive in CalFresh if you are approved.
Additionally, we will review the CalFresh renewal process in Monterey County and what you need to know to successfully complete SAR 7 or recertification.
Furthermore, we will explain the restaurant meals program in Monterey 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 DSS contact information, including the phone number and hours of operation.
Table of Contents:
Applying for CalFresh in the Monterey County
Managing Your CalFresh Benefits
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.
Once approved monthly benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that works just like a bank debit card to buy food at most grocery stores and markets (including some Farmers Markets).
In Monterey County, the CalFresh program is managed by the Department of Social Services (DSS).
In addition to CalFresh benefits, the DSS also handles CalWORKs, General Relief, and MediCal applications and benefits.
Furthermore, BenefitsCal is the website for Monterey 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.
Here are the categories of people who live in the state of California that are eligible for CalFresh:
Here’s what you need to apply for CalFresh:
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your household assets must fall below certain limits.
Households without a member who is elderly or has a disability must have assets of $2,250 or less.
However, households with an elderly or has a disabled person must have assets of $3,500 or less.
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.
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.
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 |
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:
If you are approved for food stamps in California, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
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.
| Maximum CalFresh 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 |
There are three ways you can apply for CalFresh benefits:
The easier and quickest way to apply for CalFresh in Monterey County is online at BenefitsCal.com.
You can call the Monterey Department of Social Services (DSS) to apply by phone or have an application mailed to you.
Here is the number to call:
DSS Customer Service Center (CSC) 1-866-361-0477.
You can complete the paper application and return it to the DSS office for processing.
Lastly, you can apply In person at any of the Department of Social Services (DSS) offices.
To locate a DSS 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.
Here’s the list of Monterey County DSS office locations that handle CalFresh applications and benefits.
1000 S. Main Street, Suite 216
Salinas CA 93901
Phone: 831-755-4650
Toll Free: 1-866-323-1953
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
1281 Broadway Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955
Phone: 831-899-8001
Toll Free: 1-866-323-1953
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
116 Broadway Street
King City, CA 93930
Phone 831-385-7400
Toll Free: 1-866-323-1953
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
If you live in Monterey 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.
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.
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.
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:
When you first log in to your BenefitsCal account, you will see the page below.
Accept the terms and conditions to proceed.
After you have accepted the terms and conditions, you will be taken to the page below, which is your BenefitsCal dashboard.
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.
In order to keep your CalFresh benefits in Monterey County, there are four requirements you have to meet each year.
They are:
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 |
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.
Here are the steps you need to take to complete the CalFresh recertification process.
Click here for the recertification application form.
Be sure to answer all questions on the recertification application.
Next, turn in the signed application to the County.
You can do so in person, by mail, by fax, or online. Here’s how:
Apply in person at your County DSS office. Click here to locate DSS Office near you.
You can mail the form to your County DSS office. Click here to locate an office near you.
You can fax the completed, signed application form to your County DSS office. Click here to locate an office near you.
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 in creating one.
The County CalFresh office will send you an interview appointment letter to discuss your recertification application.
Most interviews are done by phone.
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:
It is very important to keep your interview even if you do not have proof of the changes discussed above.
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.
Here’s how to contact the Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) regarding your CalFresh benefits:
The Customer Service Center is a “single point of contact” currently providing services for the following aid programs:
To find out about the status of your case or application, or to ask any other question about your case, you can call:
DSS’s Call Center:
1-866-361-0477.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about CalFresh in Monterey County.
To be eligible for CalFresh benefits you must:
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 DSS for new households to apply:
CALL: 1-866-361-0477 to apply by phone,
CLICK: BenefitsCal.com to apply online, or
IN PERSON: Locate your local county office at https://mc-choice.co.monterey.ca.us/contact-us/.
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.
If you have been convicted of any misdemeanor offense or convicted for any felony offense, including serious or violent offenses, your criminal record does not affect your eligibility for CalFresh.
Additionally, effective April 2015, drug-related felonies will no longer cause a person to be ineligible to CalFresh.
CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase:
Yes. CalFresh benefits cannot be used to purchase:
Depending on your household situation resources may be counted when determining eligibility for CalFresh.
Sample resources include:
Monterey County DSS has a Special Investigative Unit (SIU) which is responsible for investigating reports of suspected abuse of public assistance programs in their county.
You may report your concerns by doing one of the following:
You may contact the SIU in the County in which the alleged fraud occurred. Monterey County SIU can be reached at 831-755-3224.
If you prefer, you may call the California Department of Social Services Fraud Hotline at (800) 344-8477, and your information will be recorded and forwarded to the correct county.
You may also contact the CDSS Fraud Hotline by email at: FraudHotline@dss.ca.gov.
Many Farmer’s Markets across Monterey County allow users to use CalFresh.
Here are three reasons why it pays to use your CalFresh benefits at Farmers’ Market
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.
Additionally, see the list below for a farmers’ market in Monterey county that accepts SNAP EBT.
Season: Open year-round, rain or shine
Day and Hours: Open Saturdays, 8 am until 12 pm
Location: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Parking: Lots of free parking, easy access
Vendors: Aptos Farmers and Vendors List
Season: Open May — September, rain or shine
Day and Hours: Open Tuesdays, 9 am until 1 pm
Location: The Barnyard Shopping Village, 3690 The Barnyard, Carmel, CA 93923
Parking: Lots of free parking, easy access
Vendors: Carmel Farmers and Vendors List
Season: Open year-round, rain or shine
Day and Hours: Open Sunday, 8 am until 12 pm
Location: 1410 Del Monte Center Monterey, CA 93940
Parking: Lots of free parking, easy access
Sunday Vendors: Del Monte Farmers Market Sunday Vendor List
Season: Open year-round, rain or shine
Day and Hours: Open Fridays, 8 am until 12 pm
Location: 1410 Del Monte Center Monterey, CA 93940
Parking: Lots of free parking, easy access
Friday Vendors: Monterey Farmers Market Friday Vendor List
We hope this post on CalFresh Monterey County was helpful.
If you have further questions about CalFresh in Monterey 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:
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