When are CalFresh benefits sent out in August 2026? The complete California SNAP payment schedule

In the U.S., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues payments to around five million Californians, helping low-income families to purchase groceries.

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

SNAP beneficiaries have their benefits loaded onto the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, a special debit card that can be used at approved grocery stores and retailers.

When will SNAP benefits be paid in California in August 2026?

In California, SNAP benefits are issued between the first and tenth day of the month. The exact date depends on 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.

How much are SNAP benefits?

The maximum SNAP benefit available to an eligible household depends on how many people reside 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

Please note that on June 1, 2026, the U.S. federal government’s rules on CalFresh work and community engagement requirements changed in California.

What can you buy with SNAP benefits?

According to the USDA, EBT cards can be used at any participating location to buy 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 may not be used to buy:

• 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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