HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY OFHUMAN SERVICES AGENCY OF SAN FRANCISCOSAN FRANCISCO

 

Federally known as SNAP Federally known as SNAP (food stamps)(food stamps)

1235 Mission St.(btwn 8th and 9th)

San Francisco, California 94103Phone: 415-558-1001

Toll– Free: 877-366-3076 Fax: 415-355-2300

E-mail: food@sfgov.orgwww.benefitscalwin.org

 

CalFresh YouthCalFresh Youth@calfreshyouth@calfreshyouth

www.calfreshyouth.wordpress.cowww.calfreshyouth.wordpress.comm

What is CalFresh?What is CalFresh? CalFresh is a federal nutrition program

that aims to “improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.”1

The amount of funding each individual or household is allotted is dependent upon the size of your household and income.

Interesting Statistics Interesting Statistics In 2011, one in seven Americans

received support from SNAP (food stamps). 2

More than half of all Americans will use food stamps at least once in their lifetime. 3

Research suggests that up to 50%of San Franciscans may be eligible for CalFresh but are not receiving it. 4

EBT CardEBT Card Your monthly lump sum is placed on your

“Golden State Advantage Card.” EBT cards can be used at chains, grocery

stores, and farmers markets, and restaurants.**

Cards are reloaded once a month on the day that you applied for CalFresh.

** The restaurant meal program only applies to homeless, 60+, or

the disabled.

Application ProcessApplication Process You can apply by completing the

application in-person, by mail, or via web.**

Before the application is approved a face-to- face or phone interview is needed.

Verification (ex. Income, identity) is required before eligibility is determined.

** www.benefitscalwin.org

What to have with you… What to have with you… Driver’s license, birth

certificate, or health card

Social Security Number

Legal Permanent Resident Card

Proof of any disability (doctor’s note)

Proof of all income received in the past several weeks

Proof of all expenses Proof of all medical

expenses (if over 60 or deemed disabled)

Attached to online application, bring to office, fax, or mail-in.

Application Processing Time Application Processing Time Regular Processing

30 calendar days (usually shorter)

Expedited Services Processed within 3 days after date of application

You can receive expedited services if: Gross monthly income is less that $150 & liquid

resources do not exceed $100 Household combined gross income & liquid

resources are less than rent & utilities

What’s a Household?What’s a Household? A household is defined by:

An individual living alone A group of persons living together who purchase &

prepare meals together Parents or step parents with natural or adopted

children 22 years old & younger that reside with them

Husband & wife A child 18 years & younger living under a Head of

Household All of the above must apply for CalFresh

together.

Not Included in the HouseholdNot Included in the Household Unborn children A person receiving SSI/SSP* is not an eligible

household member Intent to buy & cook food separately allows

each individual to apply for CalFresh independently

*SSI/SSP: Supplemental Security Income/ State Supplemental Payment

ResidencyResidency A household member must be living in the

county where they apply for benefits. ** Applicant or their household members cannot

be active in another county. There is no durational residency requirement. There is no requirement for permanent

dwelling or fixed mailing address.

**If you move to another county, your CalFresh benefits can be transferred. Just let us know.

Income Income Earned income:

Wages & salaries Training allowances Self- Employment

Excluded Income: EITC Lump Sum

Payment SSI Title IV Educational

Grants & Loans

Unearned income: Assistance grants

(GA, Calworks) Unemployment

Insurance Benefits Child Support

received Social Security

Income Veteran Payments Interest Earnings

from Bank Accounts

Deducted IncomeDeducted Income Housing Costs

Rent/ Mortgage Homeowners Insurance Property Taxes Homeless Shelter

Allowance Utility Expenses

Gas Electric Water Garbage/ Sewage Phone

Child Care Medical Expenses**

(out of pocket) Over- the counter meds Transportation costs to

& from doctor Medical supplies/

equipment

** 60+ or disabled only

So… How much can I get?So… How much can I get?Maximum allotment:

Household SizeHousehold Size11

22

33

44

55

66

77

88

Amount ($)Amount ($)200200

367367

526526

668668

793793

952952

1,0521,052

1,2021,202

Student EligibilityStudent Eligibility

Student Eligibility- TerminologyStudent Eligibility- Terminology Institute of a Higher Education:

Business, trade or vocational school at the post-high school level that normally requires a high school diploma or GED for enrollment; or

Junior, community, two-year or four-year college or university or graduate school regardless of whether a high school diploma or GED is required.*

*However, if a college normally requires a high school diploma or GED but does not require either of these

for a particular course or program, enrollment in such does not constitute enrollment in an institution of

higher education.

Student Eligibility- TerminologyStudent Eligibility- Terminology Enrollment

Begins on the first day of the first school term for which the student is enrolled, and continues through the school term and through vacation/ summer/breaks until the student graduates, is suspended, expelled, or drops out.

Eligibility Criteria Applies on the date of interview for all applicants who

are students.

Exempt From Student EligibilityExempt From Student Eligibility Age 17 and under Age 50 and over Unfit for

Employment Doing On-the-Job

Training

Not at an Institution of Higher Education

Enrolled less than Half Time

Attending High School

Student Eligibility Applies if YouStudent Eligibility Applies if You Ages 18 through 49 Fit for Employment Enrolled at least half time in an

institution of Higher Education Half-time is defined by the school

attended. If you are receiving less than 50% of

your food from a school meal program

RequirementsRequirementsMeet one of the following to get CalFresh: Working (an average of) 20 hours per week in paid employment.**

Approved for, and expecting to participate in, State/Federal Work Study.

Primary Caregiver to child under 6.

Exerting parental control over a child over 6 but under 12 AND no adequate child care exists.

Receiving CalWORKs.

Placed in school by WIA, FSET, JOBS, EDD or government Employment & Training program for low income individuals.

Single Parent, enrolled Full Time with a child under 12.

** And still need CalFresh Aid

Income & DeductionsIncome & DeductionsIncludes but is not limited to: University Grants & Loans Veterans Educational Benefits Extended Opportunity Program and Services GI Bill Social Security Assistance Scholarships

Tuition and FeesBooks and SuppliesMiscellaneous PersonalTransportationDependent Care

Exempt Financial AidExempt Financial Aid Programs funded under Title IV of the Higher

Education Act.

Bureau of Indian Affairs student assistance programs.

Title XIII, Indian Higher Education Programs, Tribal Development Student Assistance Revolving Loan Program.

Educational Assistance used for, or intended to be used for allowable educational expenses.

Note…Note… If you are awarded financial aid, at the time

you apply for food stamps, the financial aid you are allotted is divided by the number of months left in your education, for that school year.

Works CitedWorks Cited1. "CalFresh Program." CA.gov. California Health and Human

Services Agency CHHS, 2007. Web. 07 June 2012. <http://www.calfresh.ca.gov/>.

2. Andrews, Margaret, and David Smallwood. "What's Behind the Rise in SNAP Participation?" Amber Waves. Economic Research Service, Mar. 2012. Web. 07 June 2012. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/March12/Features/

SNAPRise.htm>. 3. "Applying for SNAP (food Stamps)." Partners for a Hunger

Free Oregon. Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, 2012. Web. 07 June 2012. <http://oregonhunger.org/applying-for-snap>.

4. Dam, Jeannie. "CalFresh 101." San Francisco Health Plan. CalFresh, 16 Dec. 2011. Web. 7 June 2012.

<http://www.sfhp.org/files/Community/CalFresh_101_12.16.11.pdf>.

How to Apply…How to Apply… In Person:

1235 Mission St.(btwn 8th and 9th) San Francisco, California 94103

 On the Phone: 415-558-1001Toll– Free: 877-366-3076

Online:www.benefitscalwin.orgFax: 415-355-2300