The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits, known in the past as “food stamps”) program operates in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands, and distributes billions of dollars per year to more than 41,697,500 people, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture.
But there is one state in particular where SNAP benefits recipients can double the amount of food they buy, and the data suggests that many of them are unaware of its existence, or have not accessed it for some reason. This is California, where the program is called CalFresh: it is just a nomenclature change, because the program works exactly the same.
What is CalFresh and how to access Double Up Food Bucks
The CalFresh program allocates money to low-income families so they can put food on their tables every month, so that no one goes hungry in one of the richest states in the USA. CalFresh benefits (food) are sent during the first 10 days of each month, based on the last digit of your case number.
If your case number ends in:
- 1: Benefits are available on May 1, 2025.
- 2: Benefits are available on May 2, 2025.
- 3: Benefits are available on May 3, 2025.
- 4: Benefits are available on May 4, 2025.
- 5: Benefits are available on May 5, 2025.
- 6: Benefits are available on May 6, 2025.
- 7: Benefits are available on May 7, 2025.
- 8: Benefits are available on May 8, 2025.
- 9: Benefits are available on May 9, 2025.
- 0: Benefits are available on May 10, 2025.
To qualify for CalFresh, you must:
- To be California resident.
- Have income within federal poverty level (net income and certain deductible expenses such as rent are considered).
- Be a US citizen or a qualified non-citizen (e.g. legal permanent resident).
- Some adults without dependents (18-52 years old) must comply job requirements (20 hours per week or job training), although there are exemptions in certain areas until January 2027.
Now, those receiving SNAP benefits can access the Double Up Food Bucks program, which allows families to double their purchases of California-grown fruits and vegetables, up to $10 per visit, at participating stores and markets.
For example, if you spend $10 on local produce with your EBT card, you receive a $10 coupon to use on more fresh fruits or vegetables. You do not need additional registration; only use your EBT at a participating location. This encourages healthy eating and supports local farmers. Find locations on the Double Up Food Bucks California website.
Maximum monthly SNAP benefit amounts vary depending on household size:
- 1 person: $292
- 2 people: $536
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $975
- 5 people: $1,155
- 6 people: $1,386
- 7 people: $1,532
- 8 people: $1,756
With the support of Double Up Food Bucks, you can increase that amount and bring much more food to your home, especially at a time when America is recovering from several years of high inflation, but whose projections anticipate a closing of the year with high increases in products and services, due to the policies of the Federal Government.
