When are CalFresh benefits paid out in June 2026? Complete California SNAP payment schedule

Every month, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues payments to around 5.5 million people in California, helping low-income families to buy food.

Although SNAP is a nationwide scheme that is federally financed through the United States’ Department of Agriculture (USDA), the distribution of funds is administered at state level. In California, payments are handled by the state’s Department of Social Services (CDSS), under the name CalFresh.

Beneficiaries of SNAP receive their benefits on the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, a special debit card that can be used at approved grocery stores and retailers.

When are SNAP benefits paid in California in June 2026?

In California, SNAP benefits are paid out between the first and tenth calendar day of the month. The exact date is decided by the final digit of a claimant’s county case number.

For example, if the last digit is a ‘1’, payment will be made on the first of the month. If it is a ‘2’, SNAP benefits will go out on the second of the month, and so on.

Maximum SNAP benefits by household size in California

The maximum SNAP benefit available to an eligible household depends on the number of people that live in it. The following amounts came into effect on October 1, 2025 and will be valid through September 2026:

• 1 member: $298
• 2 members: $546
• 3 members: $785
• 4 members: $994
• 5 members: $1,183
• 6 members: $1,421
• 7 members: $1,571
• 8 members: $1,789
• Each additional member: +$218

Note that on June 1, 2026, the U.S. federal government’s rules on CalFresh work and community engagement requirements are changing in California.

What can you buy with SNAP benefits?

Per the USDA, EBT cards can be used at any participating location to purchase household food items, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Bread and cereals
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household

SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase:

• Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, liquor)
• Tobacco products
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
• Live animals
• Hot foods sold at the point of sale
• Non-food items (e.g., cleaning supplies, pet food, paper products)

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