Every month, families are dealing with the food insecurities that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought. Each month, many families are already benefiting from the support that CalFresh Food provides.

After all, every new month brings a new allotment of food assistance benefits when you're a CalFresh Food recipient.

CalFresh Food, California’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), supports low-income families, individuals and even those temporarily impacted with monthly food benefits that can be used to purchase food.

“CalFresh is a supplemental program that helps put food on the table,” said Ana Guitron, 29, an eligibility worker from San José helping residents apply for food assistance benefits with CalFresh Food.

CalFresh Food benefits are distributed monthly and can be used to purchase groceries for applicants who qualify. Photo by Marianne Tang from Pexels.

“During these times many are not working. Programs like CalFresh help ensure families in need don’t get left behind.”

Though the winter months are weeks ahead, it is important to speak with a county eligibility worker to see if you qualify for CalFresh Food benefits, especially for residents who may already be eligible.

Families who have students that qualify for free and reduced lunch are already eligible to receive CalFresh food benefits. And with online resources like the See if I’m Eligible tool, determining eligibility has never been easier.  

“CalFresh is helping the entire community,” said Guitron. “Clients use these benefits at local grocery stores, which in return, helps those local stores.”

Eligibility workers support applicants by answering questions, clarifying questions, and making sure those applicants who qualify receive their benefits quickly.

Many grocery stores and farmers’ markets accept CalFresh Food benefits in Santa Clara County through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program. Photo by Mehrad Vosoughi from Pexels.

According to data released by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), nearly 99% of applications for CalFresh Food benefits were approved within 30 days in Santa Clara County.  

Not only are eligibility workers like Guitron helping residents access food benefits at a time where food banks are being challenged with all-time high demand– they’re helping residents access a proven effective program to alleviate food insecurity for our most vulnerable.

“My experience the last few months has been an eye opener as to how many families we serve in Santa Clara County,” the three-year eligibility worker admitted.

Additional data from CDSS shows over 100,000 individuals accessed CalFresh Food benefits in Santa Clara County during the month of July alone, a number that has increased with the end of Summer meal programs. 

However, programs like CalFresh Food are helping to alleviate food banks in the South Bay by putting buying power back into the hands of residents.

CalFresh Food Benefits are distributed monthly into an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be used just like a debit card at participating stores. Photo by Norma Mortenson from Pexels

And it all begins with a simple applying process.

Applicants sign up for CalFresh by completing and submitting a single signature application which consists of their name, address and signature.

Once an eligibility worker approves an application, CalFresh Food benefits are deposited monthly into an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be used to purchase food and groceries.

“I have never experienced a pandemic before, but as an eligibility worker you realize you are essential,” said Guitron. “We help people when they are in need.”

Visit GetCalFresh.org to request or call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) to connect with your County Social Services Officer. You can also go to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley shfb.org/getfood or call 1-800-984-3663 and one of their Food Connection Specialists can help you find out if you qualify.