CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program

No, an application is not required. If you are eligible to participate, the Social Services Agency can activate your current EBT card for this service. When we activate your card, we will send you a notice with a list of restaurants providing this service.

You will need to let the restaurant know that you will be using CalFresh benefits to purchase your meal. This lets the restaurant know that they should not charge you any sales or meal taxes, and that gratuities or alcohol cannot be added to the cost of your meal.

Yes, with the exception of alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic beverages, such as milk and juice can be purchased with CalFresh benefits.  Alcoholic beverages may not be purchased with CalFresh benefits.

Yes, your sales receipt will show the cost of your meal and your CalFresh benefit balance.

If you do not have enough benefit balance on your card to purchase a full meal, you can pay the difference of payment. You must inform the cashier that you will be making a mixed transaction purchase (EBT CalFresh and/or EBT cash with another form of payment).

It's recommended that you check your benefit balance before you buy a meal. Check your last receipt or call the toll-free EBT Customer Service number (1-877-328-9677 or the TTY at 1-800-735-2929) to get this information.

You may call to speak to an eligibility worker about your CalFresh case at (510) 263-2420 or 1-888-999-4772 or call the EBT Customer Service Center number (1-877-328-9677 or the TTY at 1-800-735-2929) to check your EBT card balance.