Want To Volunteer At A Food Bank
Food banks, food pantries, and meal programs in the Feeding America network are continuing to do what they do best – provide meals to our communities. Volunteers are critical to providing food to everyone during this difficult time.
Pledge to volunteer with your local food bank and find a volunteer opportunity near you.
Return Any Additional Verification Documents
At the end of your telephone interview, your caseworker will inform you of any additional verifications needed to complete your case. The sooner you return the verifications, the sooner your case can be completed.
Return those verification documents to us with your name and case number or social security number on ALL documents.
Fax
Fax your documents to 946-1076
Deliver in person
Documents can be scanned at HCJFSs agency kiosk at HCJFSs main location:
222 East Central Parkway
New Standard Medical Deduction
Households with elderly participants or participants with a disability may receive one of the following deductions from their income:
- A Standard Medical Deduction of $160 minus a $35 disregard which equals $125 or,
- An actual monthly out-of-pocket medical expense deduction, minus a $35 disregard when expenses exceed the $160 SMD amount.
Participants are required to verify expenses over $35 to receive the SMD. All expenses must be verified when a participant chooses to claim actual out-of-pocket medical expenses above $160.
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Who Is Eligible For Snap
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SNAP is for everyone – families, seniors, people with disabilities, people who are unemployed or employed and veterans or active military. SNAP is here to help you whenever you may need it.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for SNAP. Every state has different requirements for eligibility. These requirements might include:
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Household income must be at or below a certain level
- Household resources or assets, such as savings and bank accounts, must be less than a certain amount
- At least one U.S. citizen or person with an eligible immigration status must live in the household
Check with your local SNAP office or your local food bank for help understanding if you are eligible. There is no risk to see if you are eligible for SNAP.
Common Immigration Questions Concerning Calfresh
Q: If I dont have immigration documentation can my children get CalFresh?
A: Yes. Even if you are not eligible your kids may be able to receive CalFresh. If your kids were born in the United States, qualify for special status, or are permanent residents you may apply for CalFresh for them.
Q: If my children get CalFresh will it affect my ability to get a green card or become a citizen?
A: No. CalFresh does not make anyone a public charge. Outside of fraudulently receiving benefits, the use of CalFresh does not affect whether someone can become a citizen, get a green card or denied entry into the country.
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Help For Adults And Seniors To Stay Safely In Their Homes
DHS has several programs that are designed to help adults with physical disabilities and seniors stay in their homes and communities rather than go to s skilled nursing facility. To apply for the programs below, please reach out to your local county office. If you would like to talk to a counselor about your options, call the Choices in Living Resource Center at 1-866-801-3435 or email .
ARChoices in Home Care provides attendant care, home-delivered meals, personal emergency response systems, adult day services, and respite care. Independent Choices is like ARChoices in Home Care, but the client is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising his or her in-home workers from Medicaid funds the client or his/her representative control.
Living Choices Assisted Living is a Medicaid program that pays for apartment-style housing for people who need extra care and supervision. Its for people who are at risk of being placed in a nursing home or who are in a nursing home and want more independence.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is for people age 55 and older who have been determined by the state, based on specific criteria, to need nursing home care. PACE allows them to live as independently as they can.
What Do I Need To Bring When I Apply For Calfresh
Here is the list of documents you may be asked to provide when you apply for CalFresh:
- Identification .
- Receipt for child care costs .
- Social Security Numbers only for eligible household members.
- Proof of Immigration Status only for eligible household members.
Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may get CalFresh.
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Food Stamp Program Makes Fresh Produce More Affordable
For example, applicants for CalFresh must be re-interviewed every year and update their information every six months. Medicaid, by contrast, does annual renewals without requiring interviews.
McCoy Wade says CalFresh eliminated some of the most burdensome requirements, including providing fingerprints, and itâs starting to make a difference. The state increased its participation rate from 67 percent in 2014 to 70 percent in 2015, according to the January report. That occurred as the economy improved and fewer needed the help. âWe are closing the gap,â she says.
Still, participation can be hampered by other challenges. Lack of transportation, long lines at county offices and lack of flexibility in setting appointment times may also contribute to low participation, county officials said.
And paperwork often gets mailed to residences, making it harder for homeless people or those who move frequently to stay enrolled. Thatâs what happened to 25-year-old Crystle Conant, who lives only part time at her fatherâs house in San Bernardino County.
âWhen I swipe my card at the store and it gets declined, then I know,â she said. âI havenât renewed in time.â
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
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How Do You Apply For Snap
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You may be able to apply for SNAP online, by mail, or by phone during the pandemic. Because each state has a different application form and process, we recommend connecting with a local SNAP application counselor for complete details.
Once you submit your SNAP application, it may take 30 days for your local SNAP office to process your application. You may need to complete an interview with your SNAP office during your application review.
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Renewal Requirements Are Being Reinstated
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service waiver to extend certification periods is ending. Nutrition Assistance and Cash Assistance recipients whose benefits are set to expire on or after May 31, 2021, will need to renew their benefits in order to continue receiving assistance, if they have already received a six-month extension since November 2020. Affected households will receive a notice with instructions on how to complete the renewal process.
You Have The Right To:
- Receive an application when you ask for it.
- Turn in your application the same day you receive it.
- Receive your CalFresh within 30 days after you turn in your application.
- Receive CalFresh within 3 days if you are eligible.
ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER CARD
If you qualify for CalFresh assistance, you will receive a plastic card called an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. You can use your EBT card like a bank debit card to access your CalFresh benefits to purchase food items at most grocery and convenience stores, as well and farmers markets.
- Request a replacement EBT Card by calling 1-877-328-9677
- To check the balance on your EBT account go to www.ebt.ca.gov
- Please be cautious as there are many EBT card scams that are occurring.
- Do not give out your EBT card number and PINs as the county, state, and federal government will NEVER ask you for your EBT card number and PIN by a text message, phone call, email, or on a website@
- Check your account balance find retailers and ATMS that accept your EBT card without charges at the California EBT Client website
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Electronic Benefit Transfer Card
If you qualify for CalFresh assistance, you will receive a plastic card called an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. You can use your EBT card like a bank debit card to access your CalFresh benefits to purchase food items at most grocery and convenience stores, as well and farmers markets.
- Request a replacement EBT Card by calling 1-877-328-9677
- Please be cautious as there are many EBT card scams that are occurring.
- Do not give out your EBT card number and PINs as the county, state, and federal government will NEVER ask you for your EBT card number and PIN by a text message, phone call, email, or on a website.
- You may visit California EBT Project Office to view current scams that have been reported.
- Check your account balance find retailers and ATMS that accept your EBT card without charges at the California EBT Client website
Help Paying For Nursing Home Care
Medicaid does cover nursing home care for individuals who Arkansans who meet both medical needs and financial criteria. This is called Long Term Services and Supports . You will need to fill out the application, which can be found on our website, and then submit it and any other needed documents to your local county office.
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How Can I Apply For Food Stamps
To apply for food stamp benefits, or for information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , contact your local SNAP office. You can find local offices and each State’s application on the USDA national map. Local offices are also listed in the State or local government pages of the telephone book. The office should be listed under “Food Stamps,” “Social Services,” “Human Services,” “Public Assistance,” or a similar title. You can also call your State’s SNAP hotline numbers. Most are toll-free numbers.
Each State has its own application form. If your States form is not on the web yet, you’ll need to contact your local SNAP office to request one. Please don’t call USDA or HHS headquarters as only your State accepts applications and determines eligibility.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is administered by the US Department of Agriculture , Food and Nutrition Service program.
Work Program Participation Is Suspended
Following federal guidance, work program participation for Nutrition and Cash Assistance recipients is temporarily suspended while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect employment opportunities. The DES website is not the main source of information for Tribal TANF work requirements. Tribal TANF work requirements have been suspended, please contact your Tribal TANF program for more information.
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Basic Information For Snap Applicants
You may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but you need to talk to an eligibility specialist about your eligibility.
Who Is Eligible For Calfresh
Here are the categories of people who live in the state of California that are eligible for CalFresh:
- Any California household or individual with low or no income
- Supplemental Security Income recipients
- CalWORKS or CAAP applicants can apply for CalFresh as part of their application process for those services
- Students of higher education who meet eligibility requirements
- Legal permanent residents and qualified immigrants
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Help Paying For Child Care
DHSs Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education helps eligible families with limited incomes cover the cost of high-quality child care. To be eligible, families must not exceed eligible income and must:
- work at least 30 hours a week
- attend school full time
- spend at least 30 hours a week in a job training program
Based on your income, you may get assistance to pay for all or some of your child care. To learn more and find out how to apply, visit our child care assistance page. To learn more about short-term Essential Worker Child Care Assistance, visit our FAQ page.
How Do Seniors Qualify For Food Stamps In California
In the past, Harry and Dara put a lot of attention into meals and nutrition for their kids and then their grandkids. But theyre finding it a lot harder to give that same kind of important attention to their own nutritional needsespecially as their doctors have been recommending additional dietary changes and restrictions for their aging bodies.
It has gotten even more challenging as the economic climate has left them feeling the need to tighten their budgets and reconsider their priority spending. It hadnt occurred to them that financial assistance might be an option until they heard about CalFresh. Since they applied and got involved, theyve been able to make their health and nutrition a priority without sacrificing in other areas of life.
American food stamps of old were officially printed to be used in stores and exchanged similar to paper money. Like many of our financial, economic, and technological systems, though, food stamps have changed, too. In fact, the program carries an entirely different name: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program really is a snap. Easy-to-use debit cards are refilled automatically for qualified applicants and can be used where credit cards are accepted.
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The County Of Fresno Department Of Social Services Response To Covid
The County of Fresno Department of Social Services is committed to assisting adults, children, and families to achieve health, safety and self-sufficiency through a diverse range of programs and partnerships.
DSS has planned, prepared and is responding by adhering to Federal/State/Local public health guidance to help protect you and prevent exposures to COVID-19 Coronavirus. We will continue business operations to meet our goals of providing excellent service delivery to the community. For your safety, we are strongly encouraging you to utilize the resources we have available as many of the services and benefits can be obtained without coming into the office. At this time, all Eligibility interviews will be conducted by telephone.
Fresno County Department of Social Services is promoting online, phone, mail, FAX and internet services. Below are the options you may utilize to access services.
Need to reschedule your appointment or missed your appointment? Call: 1-855-832-8082
Hours of operations: Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
24/7 Automated System: 1-877-600-1377
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Be Aware Of A Text Message Scam Targeting Snap Recipients
Be aware of a scam using texting to obtain your personal information. The text might say you were chosen to receive SNAP, CalFresh, or Food Stamp benefits. If you do not know if a request for information about CalFresh is real or not, contact the county office. Never share personal information with individuals or organizations that you do not know. Personal information includes your social security number, bank information, or CalFresh electronic benefits transfer card or PIN number.
If you think the text is a scam, do not reply at all. Just delete.
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What Is Snap And How To Apply
SNAP , formerly called food stamps, is a government program that helps people buy the food they need for healthy lives. Across the United States, 9.5 million families and children use SNAP to buy food. It is the largest program working to fight hunger in America. SNAP helps many people stretch their budgets because the money they would use on food can go towards other needs like medical bills, utilities, and rent.
How To Apply For Services
You may complete an online application by using the WashingtonConnection.org website, applying by phone at 877-501-2233 or going to your local Community Services Office.
On WashingtonConnection.org you can:
- Report a change, such as address, income or family situation.
- Submit an eligibility review for continuing benefits.
- Ask “Do I Qualify?” or “Am I Eligible?“
Learn more about what you can do on WashingtonConnection.org in these FAQs.
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Turn In Your Application
You may complete an online application , contacting the Customer Service Contact Center 877-501-2233 or going in to your local Community Services Office.
- In some cases, a signed application is required.
- You can fax your application to 888-338-7410 or
- Mail your application to:
DSHS – CSD Customer Service CenterPO Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
Do you need to print the application? A printable version of the application is available in English and several other languages.
Los Angeles 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 SNAP in the Los Angeles, California area.
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