“CalFresh is making a huge impact, especially for families with school-aged children who usually get 1-2 meals from school and are now staying home all day,” said Adrian, 43, an eligibility worker and native of Mountain View who requested his last name remain confidential.

“These CalFresh benefits are their only lifeline.”

School nutrition programs have always played a crucial role in ensuring meals for low-income families that rely on school cafeterias to feed their kids.

When the shelter-in-place order was announced in Santa Clara County, parents suddenly found themselves at a crossroads, especially for families that qualify for free and reduced lunch.

So for the 3.8 million students that depend on free and reduced lunches in California, now was the time to think outside the box.

Now was the time for CalFresh Food.

CalFresh helps put food on the table with supplemental food benefits that is based on household income and expenses.

“Before the pandemic, the job of giving benefits to the most needy people in our community was already gratifying, the six-year social worker admitted.

“But now, I get an even deeper sense of satisfaction when processing a new application and issuing CalFresh benefits because of the moment we’re in.”

CalFresh Food, California’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), is an assistance program that supports low-income families, and even those temporarily impacted, with food benefits that can be used at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food outlets, and much more.

In California, food assistance allotments are now supplemented with maximum allotments for all CalFresh recipients after the Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized emergency SNAP benefits in response to COVID-19.

“Unemployment is the highest since the Great Depression and more people are struggling than ever before,” the Mountain View native explained.

Applicants that qualify will receive monthly allotments in the form of an Electronic Based Transfer (EBT) card, that can be used like a debit card.

“CalFresh benefits received in March and April were supplemented with the maximum allotment for all of the CalFresh recipients. A family of 4 that was only getting $200/month in CalFresh benefits saw their benefits increase to $646 per month for March and April.”

With demand for food assistance programs increasing every day, eligibility workers like Adrian are now championing their skills as veteran social workers to help families receive CalFresh Food benefits as quickly as possible—and applying has never been easier.

Interested individuals may apply over the phone, mail, fax, application drop box or online. Applicants start the process by completing and submitting a single signature application which consists of their name, address and signature, that’s it.

Once approved, food benefits from CalFresh Food are distributed on a monthly basis to ensure recipients can purchase the groceries they need for their families.

Applications are processed in a timely manner to ensure applicants receive food benefits quickly.

“CalFresh recipients receive their benefits on an EBT card that is directly deposited each month and the issuance day is determined by the last digit of the case number,” said Adrian.

“The application process is easier than ever as the initial interview is waived and most citizenship, identification and income can be electronically verified through the county, state and third-party systems.”

Families that qualify can receive up to $194 a month per household member.

And for social workers like Adrian, helping applicants receive maximum food assistance allotments could mean the difference in feeding our most vulnerable residents.

“It is rewarding knowing our efforts are helping the community to keep from going hungry,” said the 43-year-old social worker.

“It gives them a little bit more cushion to pay for essential expenses and provides them with nutritious food options for themselves and their families during these difficult times.”