CalFresh, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the federal government, is a resource that offers food assistance each month via EBT Card to people and families who apply because they are low-income.
A vital program aimed at preventing hunger, provides a crucial safety net for individuals and families in need through the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
The Role of the EBT Card For CalFresh Beneficiaries
However, the nature of this system naturally gives rise to concerns regarding the availability and accessibility of food stamps, as well as the types of items that can be purchased using them.
Once the initial application procedure for food stamps is completed, eligible households are provided with the opportunity to participate in the SNAP program and other social services organizations as soon as possible.
Once approved, the next step is to issue the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which serves as the vehicle for delivering the food stamp benefits.
The timeline for when food stamps will be available on the EBT card can vary depending on factors such as the efficiency of the application processing system, the workload of the administering agency, and any additional verification processes that may be required.
However, the aim is to ensure that eligible households can access their food stamp benefits in a timely manner to help meet their nutritional needs and alleviate food insecurity.
According to the CalFresh Manual of Policies and Procedures, the Department of Social Services stipulates that food stamps must be made available no later than 30 calendar days after each phase is completed.
Read more: California EBT Cards: Restaurant Eligibility For CalFresh Benefits
Making Wise Choices with CalFresh Benefits
However, CalFresh also offers a quicker service in an emergency. A household can get food stamps through their EBT card no later than the third calendar day after submitting their application, although Saturday and Sunday are counted as one day.
Here is a list of the food items that can be bought with the EBT cards CalFresh benefits:
Bread
Cereals
Fruits
Vegetables
Meat
Fish
dairy goods
Seeds
Plants that are used as human food sources
Energy drinks with nutrition information
Liquor, cigarettes, pet food, soap, paper, vitamins, prescription medications, and energy drinks with supplement information are among the things that cannot be purchased using CalFresh benefits.
Read more: Denied CalFresh Benefits? Here’s What To Do!