Come Spend Your Day With Us!
Volunteers are an integral part of our food distribution and help bring our mission to life! Whether you have a half day or a full day to spare, we could use and appreciate your help.
WHAT IS CALFRESH?
CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program to assist individuals and families who may be struggling to put food on the table. CalFresh benefits are issued on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, which is similar to an ATM card. EBT cards can be used at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets.
As of November 12, 2020, CalFresh recipients can use their EBT card to purchase groceries online at participating Albertsons, Safeway and Vons pick-up locations. CalFresh recipients can also use their EBT cards to purchase groceries online for home delivery at Amazon and Walmart. At this time, CalFresh Food benefits do not cover the cost of delivery.
May is CalFresh Awareness month. Read more HERE to find out more information on how FARSB participates in these awareness efforts.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
To qualify for CalFresh, applicants must fall into a specific income bracket. Their income bracket and the number of people living in their household determine the max amount of CalFresh funds they may receive.
Eligibility is normally determined based on all income received:
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Earned-income from a job (full-time, temporary, seasonal, or training)
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Unearned-income that is not from a job (ex: Social Security, child/spousal support, pension, unemployment, VA benefits, or worker's compensation)
Many immigrants can get CalFresh if at least one person in the household:
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Has citizenship
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Has a green card
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Has refugee status, asylum, or parolee status
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Has, or is applying for, a U-Visa or T-Visa
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Is an applicant for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) relief
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Is a Cuban or Haitian entrant
DOES CALFRESH ONLY HELP WITH GROCERIES?
No, your CalFresh benefits can do so much more!
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CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy): Customers who receive CalFresh benefits can apply for the CARE program and receive a 30-35% discount on their electric bill and/or a 20% discount on their natural gas bill.
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SHARE program: The SHARE program is available through Riverside Public Utilities to assist qualified, low-income residential electric customers with their utility bills and deposits.
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AT&T Access program: Under the Access program, Cal Fresh recipients could qualify for low-cost home internet ($10 or less per month).
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Amazon Prime: Amazon offers $5.99 per month Amazon Prime memberships for customers who receive either CalFresh or Medicaid benefits! Amazon Prime includes both FREE 2-day shopping and FREE streaming access to thousands of titles.
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California Lifeline Program: Eligible households could receive discounted home phone and cell phone services. Call a participating phone company and ask for the California LifeLine discounts to start the application process.
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Grow your own food: Buy seeds and produce-bearing plants with your EBT card! It’s a great way to get fresh produce right at home. All CalFresh retailers, including Farmers’ Markets, can sell seeds and plants to CalFresh participants.
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Discounted Museums Admission: Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (CalFresh benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 500 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card.
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Farmers Market EBT Market Match: Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program, which matches customers’ federal nutrition assistance benefits, like CalFresh and WIC, at farmers’ markets and other farm-direct sites. Swipe your EBT card for the amount of your choice, and you will receive CalFresh EBT tokens or paper vouchers to spend on any CalFresh-eligible food items at the market. Market Match is available at 300 sites, spanning 38 counties, which are run by over 50 community-based organizations and farmers’ market operators.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
FARSB's bilingual CalFresh team is ready to assist you in English or Spanish today! Register to request assistance and a member of our team will contact you shortly to discuss the details of your application, answer any questions, and get the application process started for you.
FARSB'S CALFRESH OUTREACH PROGRAM IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY
