CalFresh

Who is Eligible for CalFresh

• Fresno County residents and household with low or no income (including those experiencing homelessness)
• Students of higher education
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries
• CalWORKs or General Relief applicants can include CalFresh in their application process.
• Immigrants can qualify depending on their immigration status.
• Recipients of Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC)

Who must be included in the Application

• Anyone who purchase and prepares meals together
• Everyone living at the address, such as husband, wife, parent(s) and children under age 22

How Benefit amounts are determined

• Your benefit amount is based on your gross monthly income and household size minus monthly expenses such as:

• Child support payments
• Childcare expenses
• Medical expenses if your household has at least one member who is age 60 or older or has a disability
• Rent or mortgage
• Utility and phone expenses

Other Factors

• Resources exempt from your application requirements include investments, property ownership, and bank accounts.  But, income from those resources will count as part of your household's total gross income.
• Income limits depend on household size.  To qualify, a household's income must be below the limit (see CalFresh FAQ).  Note:  A household with an older or disabled person may have a higher gross monthly income limit. 

Minimum Requirements to Apply:

• Name
• Address
• Signature

Ways to Apply

• Apply online 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by going to BenefitsCal.com
• Mail applications to: PO Box 1912, Fresno, CA 93718-1912
• Fax your application to: (559) 600-7706
• Apply by visiting one of our locations

Printable CalFresh Applications (CF 285)

• CF 285 English
• CF 285 English Large Print
• CF 285 Spanish
• CF 285 Spanish Large Print

Printable CalFresh Elderly Simplified Application (CF 485)

Only use the following application if everyone in the household is:

• At least 60 or older and/or disabled
• Not getting any income from work
• Purchasing and preparing food together

• CF 485 English
• CF 485 English Large Print
• CF 485 Spanish
• CF 485 Spanish Large Print

Expedited (faster) food benefits

Food benefits may be available within three business days of submitting an application.  To qualify, a person must provide identification and meet all other CalFresh requirements.  Households must also: 

• Earn less than $150 a month and have less than $100 available now.

• Have a combined monthly income and available monthly that is less than your combined monthly rent and utility bills. 

• You are a migrant or seasonal worker with $100 or less in liquid resources.

All CalFresh applications are automatically screened for ES.

In the event of disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and severe storms, Fresno County may be authorized to provide Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh) to residents.

• Fresno County DSS CalFresh Disaster Plan(PDF, 524KB)