Information For People Who Already Get Calfresh
Online purchasing:
Great news! You can use your EBT card to purchase groceries online at Amazon and Walmart. Visit or Walmart to learn more about how it works. Unfortunately, you can’t use CalFresh to pay for delivery. California is working to expand access to more grocery stores check back for updates.
California Restaurant Meals Program Requirements
To use your CalFresh Golden State Advantage EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains in Alameda County, you must first meet certain requirements.
To be eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program, you must:
- Currently, be enrolled and receiving CalFresh benefits
- Have an active California EBT Card
- Be homeless, elderly , or disabled
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, you are not eligible to use your California EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains.
About The Oakland County Department Of Human Services Food Stamp Office
The Oakland County Department of Human Services Food Stamp Office, located in Pontiac, MI, administers the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Pontiac residents. Often called “food stamps,” SNAP benefits provide nutrition assistance for income-eligible households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the SNAP program, and SNAP Offices distribute benefits to Pontiac residents. The program reduces food insecurity and poverty by providing supplemental nutrition assistance for low-income households.
You may contact Food Stamp Offices for questions about:
- Pontiac food stamp eligibility
- Applying for food stamps and SNAP food benefit
- Calculating SNAP benefits
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How To Use The California Ebt Card
The California EBT card operates as the states digital alternative to providing program enrollees with the paper coupons that were once used to access food stamps benefits. EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer , and understanding how this card functions is critical for enrollees who want to claim their SNAP funds. When claimants submit their food stamps applications, they may wonder, How long does it take to get a California EBT card? This is because enrollees may not begin accessing their benefits until they have this tool. However, candidates must remember they will only receive their EBT cards once they have been accepted into the program.
By utilizing the CA EBT card, program participants can effectively manage their food stamps claims. These tools are particularly useful for enrollees who want to keep track of their funds. Since funds are deposited and spent electronically, program enrollees are able to easily check their EBT card balance and stay up-to-date on how much money they have in their accounts. They can do so by:
- Checking their balances online.
- Reviewing their remaining balances printed at the bottom of their receipts of purchases.
- Swiping their EBT cards at automated machines in customer service sections of stores.
- Alcohol, liquor or tobacco.
- Household items, like paper towels, soaps, makeup or pet food.
- Hot meals or food products that are designed to be eaten in the grocery store.
What Documents Should I Submit With My Application
The documents you need to submit depends on your situation. When you apply on GetCalFresh.org, you will be given a list of recommended documents to submit. These documents are usually required to get CalFresh:
- A copy of your ID
- Proof of any income
- Proof of immigration status
- Proof of student status
These documents are optional but can increase your benefit amount:
- Proof of housing expenses
- Proof of child support that you pay
- Proof of child/dependent care that you pay for
- If you are 60+ or disabled, proof of medical expenses.
If you cant get proof, the CalFresh office will generally accept a written statement explaining your situation – make sure it is signed and dated. Submitting all of your documents with the application can help you skip the interview and get approved more quickly.
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What Documents Will I Need To Provide To Apply For Calfresh
Here are the documents usually required to get CalFresh:
- A copy of your ID
- Proof of any income from the last 30 days
- Proof of student status
In addition, immigrants may also be asked to provide:
- A copy of your green card
- A copy of your most recent paperwork for a U Visa, T Visa, asylum, refugee or parolee status, or a Violence Against Women Act petition
- Naturalized U.S. citizens may be asked to provide a copy of their U.S. passport or naturalization documents.
However, if you are applying only for other people in your household, you do not have to provide proof of your immigration status.
Furthermore, your CalFresh benefit amount may be increased if you can provide proof of:
- Housing expenses
- Immigration relief through VAWA
- Temporary Protected Status
- Special Immigrant Juvenile status
Also, getting CalFresh while you have or are applying for one of the above immigration statuses will NOT count against you later if you apply for a green card.
How To Apply For Calfresh:
In Contra Costa County you can apply for CalFresh in several different ways:
- Complete an online application from any computer 24 hours 7 days a week.
*Minimum requirements to file a CalFresh application:
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How Quickly Will I Get Benefits
Your county has 30 days to approve or deny your case. Some people with very low income can get expedited services, and their cases should be processed in 3 days. Because of the pandemic, counties are receiving a higher volume of applications than normal. It may take longer than usual to hear back. If its been more than two weeks and you havent gotten any mail or phone calls from your county, or you want to contact your county office, you can find their phone number here.
How Long Can You Stay On Calfresh
CalFresh households must recertify their eligibility in order to keep continuously receiving CalFresh benefits.
To do this, they must complete a new application before the 15th of the month when their certification period will end.
In California, most households have a 12-month certification period.
Some households with elderly or disabled members have a 24 month certification period.
Households that only have elderly and/or disabled members and no earned income are certified for 36 months.
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If I Get Calfresh Am I Taking Benefits Away From Other People
No. CalFresh is an entitlement program.
Therefore, everyone who qualifies for CalFresh will get benefits.
In the state of California, there are about 4 million people who are eligible but not receiving CalFresh.
For every $5 of CalFresh spent in a community, another $9 of local economic activity is generated.
Therefore, CalFresh dollars help support jobs and businesses in your community.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Beginning in October 2021, recipients will see their allotments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as CalFresh in California and informally known as food stampsrise roughly 25%. It will be the largest increase in SNAP benefits in more than four decades.
To apply for Cal Fresh online go to:
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Restaurants That Accept Ebt In Alameda County Summary
Heres the bottom line:
The Alameda County Restaurant Meals program applies to those who are homeless, elderly , or disabled.
If you are one of the groups above and have an active California EBT Card, you can use your CalFresh benefits to buy food at select restaurants.
This includes hot food that can be eaten at the premises.
Currently, 15 counties in California participate in the program, including Alameda County.
What Do I Need To Know About Calfresh And Unemployment Benefits
You can get CalFresh and unemployment benefits at the same time, as long as the amount of money you get from unemployment isn’t over the CalFresh income limits. You can start a CalFresh application and we’ll help you figure out if you’re over the limit. Getting CalFresh won’t affect how much money you get from unemployment.
If you applied for unemployment but haven’t gotten money from unemployment yet, you don’t have to report it on your CalFresh application. If you get CalFresh right now and have started receiving unemployment or the amount you get has changed, we recommend reaching out to your county CalFresh office to let them know about your income changes. They will give you next steps based on your situation.
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Oakland Ca Food Stamp Office 8477 Enterprise Way
Oakland, CA Food Stamp Office 8477 Enterprise Way administrates your local Program under California State guidelines. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Food Stamp helps low-income families buy food. SNAP food stamps can be used to buy food items in supermarkets, convenience stores, and farmers markets.
Oakland, CA Food Stamp Office Address & Phone Number
| Alameda County |
A Better Way For Everyone
Residents get and keep CalFresh
The online application was completely awesome. It took literally six or seven minutes. It was fast, simple, easy. It was the first time I’ve applied online that didn’t take me a half hour to do.
– GetCalFresh Client
Community organizations reach those in need
In the time it takes me to fill out 2 paper applications, I can serve 10 people with GetCalFresh.
– Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
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How To Use Your Ebt Card At Restaurants In Alameda County
Using your EBT Card to purchase hot meals at restaurants and fast food locations is easy.
Heres what you do:
I Heard That The County Office Is Closed
You dont have to go in person to the CalFresh office to get benefits. After you apply online, all of your communication with the county can be over the phone or through the mail. You can even have your EBT card mailed to you.
Even though county offices are currently closed to the public, county workers are still working and the county call centers are still operating. If you need to call your county office, listen to the whole office closure message. You will be able to make selections from the automated system that will connect to a county worker. Because of high call volume, wait times might be longer than normal.
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California Restaurant Meals Program
The Restaurant Meals Program allows CalFresh recipients who are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase lower-cost prepared meals at approved participating restaurants in certain counties.
If you fit one of the groups described above, you can use your CalFresh California EBT card at select restaurants and fast-food chains throughout the state.
Currently, the restaurant meals program is active in the following counties:
- Alameda
- Ventura
Calfresh Office Locations Alphabetically By County
The CalFresh office locations below are listed by County, so you have to scroll down to find your county offices and the location near you.
Note that for some counties listed below, only the phone number for the CalFresh office location has been provided.
Therefore, you will have to call the phone number to get details about office locations near you.
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You Do Not Need To Apply To P
If a child meets the requirements above, a card will automatically be mailed to them. Each child will receive their own card. Card mailing for kids under 6 has been completed. Cards for school-age kids will start arriving mid-August through the end of November. P-EBT cards will be mailed through the end of 2021.
How Do I Report Changes To My Income
If your income has decreased or stopped, you can upload proof of income for the last 30 days through getcalfresh.org/docs. Your county will give you more information about when you have to report increases in income. If your income went up and you aren’t sure if you need to report changes, you can .
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Can I Buy Deli Food With Calfresh Ebt
You are not allowed to use CalFresh to buy food you can eat at the premises or hot food in general.
You are only allowed to buy food you are taking home to prepare.
Therefore, when it comes to Deli foods, you cannot buy hot food from the deli or prepared foods like mac n cheese, chicken or sandwiches, stuff from the salad bar.
However, you can buy deli meats and cheeses and cold uncooked items from the deli with your CalFresh EBT card as long as you are going to take them home to prepare.
Restaurants That Accept Ebt In Alameda County Ca
If you currently live in Alameda County, California, and receive CalFresh benefits we have great news! Your CalFresh EBT Card or Golden State Advantage card can be used at select restaurants and fast food places if you meet the eligibility criteria. In this post, we will explain in detail how the Restaurant Meals Program works in Alameda County and how you can qualify to use your EBT at these restaurants. In addition, we will provide you a complete list of food places and restaurants that Accept EBT in Alameda County, California.
First, we are going to explain what the California Restaurant Meals program is about and which counties are participating.
Second, we will explain the requirements for the RMP and how you can use your CalFresh EBT at these restaurants.
Finally, we will provide you a complete list of restaurants that Accept EBT in Alameda County, broken down by city for easy search.
You will see the names of participating restaurants with their addresses and phone numbers.
The list includes restaurants in the following Alameda County cities:
- Alameda
- Oakland
- Union City
All you need to do is scroll down and find the city where you live or a nearby city and you will see the list of restaurants that accept EBT there.
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San Diego Food Stamp Program
The California food stamp program, commonly referred to as SNAP, is more popularly known in the area as CalFresh. This program was created to ensure that low income families would be able to have access to affordable and healthy food. This allows for families that are struggling to make ends meet and working on a budget to have a chance to provide good health and nutrition to those within their households. The benefits of the program are transferred through an EBT card that can be used at various locations that accept SNAP. Although the program has only recently been renamed to CalFresh, it has been part of the SNAP plan since 1977. Individuals have the opportunity to apply in person at an agency or online. The applications for the program are also available in a variety of different languages.
The following information can be used to learn more about applying for Food Stamps in the San Diego, California area.
