Good news for lots of families in California! You might soon get some helpful money if you depend on CalFresh (California’s version of SNAP) or have kids in school who are eligible for free or low-cost food.
What is CalFresh, and how is it different?
You may know SNAP as the government program that helps people get food, but in California we call it CalFresh. It’s pretty much the same program, but it has a neighborhood feel to it. People all over the country can get the same benefits. For example, a single person can get up to $292 a month. However, California decides when to send funds.
When and who is getting paid?
These are the dates that your August CalFresh payments will be sent to you if you got them in July. The last number of your CalFresh case number tells you when to pay:
- Case number ends in 1: August 1 payment
- Case number ends in 2: August 2 payment
- Case number ends in 3: August 3 payment
- Case number ends in 4: August 4 payment
- Case number ends in 5: August 5 payment
You should get your payment between July 6 and July 10 if your case number ends in 6 through 0. You’ll be paid again next month.
What About Summer EBT Bucks (SUN Bucks)?
A lot of people in California will also be able to get SUN Bucks, which is also known as Summer EBT. Families can get help with the cost of food during the summer, when school is not in session and kids can’t eat school lunches or breakfasts.
Your kids will be signed up for SUN Bucks immediately if they are eligible for free or low-cost meals or if your family is already signed up for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWORKs. You don’t have to do anything.
How much are you going to get?
As a summer gift, each child who is qualified will get $120, which will be split up and given to them in June, July, and August. Each child will get a one-time payment to help with food while schools are closed.
When you get paid for SUN Bucks based on your last name
The state is giving out SUN Bucks in waves based on the last name of your child:
Early June A – CMid-June D – FLate June G – La- Early July: M – Q
- Mid-July: R – S
- Late July: T – Z
If your child’s last name starts with T through Z and you haven’t gotten your SUN Bucks yet, check your mailbox or EBT account in late July.
Why this is important
What we know is that food prices are rising, mostly in California. Kids are home for the summer, which means they eat more at home, so programs like CalFresh and SUN Bucks are there to help families stay alive.
