The CalFresh program, the state’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is beginning to coordinate the delivery of deposits to more than 4.8 million beneficiaries who rely on these funds to put fresh, nutritious food on their families’ tables.
The CalFresh initiative provides food assistance to California residents who meet specific income and resource criteria. Due to the amount of people who receive these benefits, ranking the state with the highest participation nationwide. The program is administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
The full schedule of CalFresh benefits in June 2025
CalFresh benefits are distributed monthly for the first ten days. The specific deposit or loading date on the EBT card depends on the last digit of the beneficiary’s case number.
For June 2025, the distribution schedule establishes the following dates based on the final digit of the case number:
- Final digit 1: June 1
- Final digit 2: June 2
- Final digit 3: June 3
- Final digit 4: June 4
- Final digit 5: June 5
- Final digit 6: June 6
- Final digit 7: June 7
- Final digit 8: June 8
- Final digit 9: June 9
- Final digit 0: June 10
Some CalFresh recipients will receive up to $1,756 in June
The value of monthly CalFresh benefits varies depending on the size of the beneficiary household and their gross monthly income. The maximum amounts will be valid until September 30, 2025, when the USDA will evaluate the inflation rate accrued during that year using the Cost of Living Adjustment Index (COLA), which will indicate how much benefits will increase starting October 1.
For now, these are the income limits and maximum benefit allocations based on household size:
- For a one-person household, the maximum monthly gross income allowed is $2,510, with a maximum benefit of $292.
- Two-person households have an income limit of $3,408 and a maximum benefit of $536.
- Households of three people can receive up to $768 with a maximum income of $4,304.
- A household of four has a gross income limit of $5,200 and a maximum benefit of $975.
- For five people, the maximum income is $6,098 and the benefit $1,158.
- Six people living in a household can receive up to $1,390 with a maximum income of $6,994.
- Seven people have a limit of $7,890 and a benefit of $1,536.
- For households of eight people, the maximum gross income allowed is $8,788, with a maximum benefit of $1,756.
- For each additional household member beyond eight, $898 is added to the gross income limit and $220 is added to the maximum potential benefit amount.
Changes to the CalFresh program in 2025 that you need to know about
A significant change in 2025 is the implementation of new Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards with chip technology. This replacement began earlier this year to improve transaction security and reduce fraud, such as skimming. The issuance and distribution process for these cards has been gradual.
The CDSS indicated that the full card replacement would be completed between February and June 2025. To ensure receipt of the new chip-enabled EBT card, it is “critical that users update their address at BenefitsCal.com.” Beneficiaries who have not received their new card should contact their local office or the helpline.
SUN Bucks program renewal: buy twice as much food with the same money
The SUN Bucks Program, also known as Summer EBT at the federal level, has been renewed to operate through the summer of 2025. This initiative provides additional food benefits specifically for children during school vacation months. The goal is to mitigate food insecurity when free or reduced-price school meals are unavailable.
Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year are automatically eligible. Those who participate in programs such as CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal are also eligible. The benefit consists of $40 per month per eligible child, distributed in a lump sum of $120 covering June, July, and August.
SUN Bucks prepaid cards with a total amount of $120 will be mailed to eligible families starting in June 2025. Most children who already qualify under the above criteria do not need to apply separately. The program operates with federal and state funding.