May SNAP benefits are on the way in California: When will yours arrive?

Although the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal food assistance program, it is administered by the states. In California, the program CalFresh distributes SNAP benefits to 3.1 million households, providing food assistance to over five million residents in the Golden State. Compared to January 2023 data, the number of households receiving benefits has increased by 3.6 percent.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, without CalFresh, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and school means, an additional 1.5 million people in the state would fall into poverty. This figure highlights the program’s importance in providing much-needed assistance to families, particularly those with children.

On Wednesday, 1 May, the first round of beneficiaries will see their Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards reloaded with their monthly payment. But who is included in this first batch? Let’s take a look.

When are SNAP benefits sent in California?

In California, the SNAP benefit payment schedule depends on one’s CalFresh case number. Those with a case number ending in 1 receive their payments on the first of each month. Over the next nine days, all other beneficiaries will see their cards reloaded.

How to apply for benefits

Those who are not yet receiving benefits but believe they may be eligible can find more information at GetCalFresh.com. Broadly, an individual or family must meet one of the following criteria:

There are also annual income restrictions that vary depending on the size of the household seeking to receive benefits.

The counties that make up the Golden State play a critical role in the application process and are a great resource for those seeking benefits. The contact information for each county can be found on the state’s website. An application can be submitted online or at the relevant county office.