Federal authority provided temporary flexibilities for CalFresh in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This webpage gives information about the end of the CalFresh COVID-19 flexibilities.

EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS

Emergency Allotments have been provided to all eligible CalFresh households on a monthly basis since March 2020. CalFresh Emergency Allotments are ending because new federal law in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ends the issuance of CalFresh Emergency Allotments to households in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Make sure you’re getting all of the CalFresh benefits you are eligible for by ensuring the county has your most recent information such as:

• Household size
• Income
• Housing costs
• Medical expenses (only if you are age 60+ or have a disability)
• Dependent or childcare costs

Read more about getting all the CalFresh benefits you're eligible for (English) (Spanish). To update your information or circumstances, you may contact your local county social services office by calling 1-877-847-3663 or to visit your local county social services office in person, you can use our office locator map at www.CalFreshFood.org.

CALFRESH STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are two temporary changes to the CalFresh student eligibility rule to expand eligibility to students who are eligible for federal or state work study or who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero dollars. Due to the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declarations ending on May 11, 2023, California will no longer be able to exempt students using the temporary changes to the CalFresh student eligibility rule. Beginning June 10, 2023, these temporary exemptions will no longer apply to college students who are newly applying for CalFresh. Beginning July 1, 2023, college students who already get CalFresh benefits should not experience any changes until their next recertification, where their eligibility will be reassessed.

End of COVID Flexibilities Emergency Allotments Client Resources

End of CalFresh Emergency Allotments Flyer

(English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Cantonese) (Armenian)

End of CalFresh Emergency Allotment Frequently Asked Questions

(English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Cantonese) (Armenian)

End of CalFresh Emergency Allotment Social Media

(English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Cantonese) (Armenian) (Arabic) (Korean) (Tagalog) (Russian) (Farsi)

End of COVID Flexibilities Student Exemptions Client Resources

End of CalFresh Temporary Student Exemptions Flyer

(English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Cantonese) (Armenian)

End of CalFresh Student Exemptions Frequently Asked Questions

(English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Cantonese) (Armenian)

End of CalFresh Student Exemptions Social Media

(English) (Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Cantonese) (Armenian) (Arabic) (Korean) (Tagalog) (Russian) (Farsi)

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding the information on this page, contact your local county office by calling 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) or visit CalFreshFood.org to find an office near you.