CalFresh

Assistance for individuals and families to purchase nutritious food

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Agency Updates

APR 21

Online Services

If you are applying for assistance, submitting verifications, reporting a loss of income, or have questions, we encourage you to use remote access options found HERE.

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Agency Updates

APR 21

ABAWD Work Requirement Waived

Effective April 1, 2020, California has received a waiver to suspend the work requirement for all Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). As a result, CalFresh ABAWDs may continue to receive CalFresh benefits without having to meet the work requirement so long as they comply with CalFresh reporting requirements. This waiver is anticipated to expire October 31, 2025.

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Agency Updates

APR 21

Transitional Nutrition Benefits (TNB) Program Recertifications

Beginning November 2023, Transitional Nutrition Benefits (TNB) Program recertifications will resume. The Form TNB 4 Notice of Recertification for the TNB Program will be sent to TNB households in the month prior to the household’s TNB recertification month, starting October 2023. TNB households must complete and submit the Form TNB 4 to continue receiving TNB benefits. If eligible, TNB households can be recertified for an additional 12-month period. For ways to submit the Form TNB 4, click here.  For more information on the TNB Program, click here.

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What is CalFresh?

CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly assistance for low or no income individuals and families to purchase nutritious food. The CalFresh program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, similar to an ATM card, to purchase food at retail stores and farmers markets that accept EBT cards.

All CalFresh applications and recertifications must be processed as soon as possible. CalFresh applications must be processed no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the date the application is received by the County. The County must notify the applicant in writing, if the case is approved or denied, no later than 30 calendar days from the date the County receives the CalFresh application. If you qualify based on an emergency situation, you may be eligible to receive CalFresh Expedited Service benefits within three (3) calendar days from the date the application is received by the County. If you are having problems with your CalFresh application, please email clientconcern@acgov.org.

Reasonable Accommodations

Do you have any physical, mental, developmental, or emotional conditions that make it hard for you to apply for benefits or meet program requirements? We can give you extra help. We call this type of help a reasonable accommodation.

To request a reasonable accommodation for CalFresh, you may:

  1. Ask any Alameda County Social Services Agency employee helping you with your CalFresh case, or
  2. Call the Customer Service Call Center at 510-263-2420 or 1-888-999-4772, Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. People with a speech or hearing impairment may use TTY at (877) 735-2929 (California Relay), or
  3. Request an accommodation in writing and upload it to the BenefitsCal or mail it to P.O. Box 12941, Oakland, CA 94604.

The law protects people with physical, mental, emotional, and developmental disabilities as well as others with serious health problems (42 U.S.C. § 12132). For more information please review the PUB 13 and USDA Nondiscrimination Statement