Community Services Agency

The CalFresh program is a nutrition program that supplements a qualified family’s food budget to add healthy and nutritious food to the table. CalFresh benefits can be used to buy almost all foods, as well as seeds and plants to grow food for household use. The CalFresh program issues monthly benefits electronically on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

The Food and Nutrition Service renamed Food Stamps to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), but in California it is called CalFresh.

In order to receive CalFresh from Stanislaus County, here are some of the general requirements you must meet in order to be eligible.

• A resident of Stanislaus County
• Citizen or Lawful immigration status (such as Legal Permanent Resident (LPR), Alien Registration Card, visa) or certain noncitizens
• Income eligible household
• Provide or apply for Social Security Numbers for all household members
• Willingness to provide all requested verifications

You may apply:

• Online at BenefitsCal.com
• Online at GetCalFresh.org
• Faxing/Mailing the completed application to the County:
  • You may print out an application (SAWS 2 Plus) from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS)’s website here: English, Spanish, Other Languages.
  • An application can be mailed out to you by calling the Community Services Agency (CSA) office at 1-877-652-0734
  • Fax number to submit application is (209)558-2189
  • Mailing address to submit application is:
    Stanislaus County CSA
    P.O. Box 42
    Modesto, CA 95353-0042
• In person at any Community Services Agency (CSA) office (Please refer to the office locations in FAQ question 5.)
• Over the phone with the use of Electronic Signature (eSignature)

You may be required to complete an interview before benefits can be approved. If you are required to complete an interview, you will receive an appointment letter.

Note: Households that include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) only members may apply and be certified for CalFresh under the CalFresh Application "Joint Processing" by Social Security Administration (SSA) and the County. This means that if SSA submits an application on behalf of an SSI Customer, and all members in that household are in receipt of SSI, the Case Manager will waive the CalFresh interview.

Community Services Agency (CSA)
251 E. Hackett Road
Modesto, CA 95358
1-877-652-0734

Community Services Agency Housing & Homeless Access Center (Homeless Customers only)
912 D St.
Modesto, CA
1-877-652-0734

South County Community Center
1310 W. Main St
Turlock, CA 95380
1-877-652-0734

East County Service Center
1405 West F St, Suite I
Oakdale, CA 95361
1-877-652-0734

West County Service Center
101 W. Las Palmas Ave
Patterson, CA 95363
1-877-652-0734

The Community Services Agency offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Your name, address and signature are required to apply for CalFresh benefits. If you are homeless, only your name and signature are required.

You may apply without proof, but you will have to give certain information before your CalFresh benefits can be approved. Your worker will tell you what proof is needed. If you cannot get the proof yourself ask your worker to help you. Here is a list of some of items that are required:

• Proof of identity for the applicant
• Social Security number(s)
• Naturalization document(s)
• Alien registration card(s)
• Income verification

No. Adults without dependents may apply for and be eligible for CalFresh benefits.

No, however, at least one member of your household must be an eligible non-citizen and have a legal right to stay in the US permanently or temporarily. If you are not eligible, you may apply on behalf of others in your household who may be eligible.

You must be low-income to qualify for CalFresh. Below are the income standards effective 10/01/2023. If your Household (HH) income falls below the income standard, you may be eligible for CalFresh benefits.

There are no property limits for most CalFresh households as long as the household is under the 200% income limit. Property information is still required to be reported to the case manager, but due to Modified Categorical Eligibility most CalFresh household will have no property limit. The household must still meet other eligibility criteria.

Property will affect some excluded households that contain members with the following conditions:

• Disqualified for an Intentional Program Violation (IPV)
• Any Head of household that does not comply with work requirements

The excluded CalFresh household’s property limit is $2,750 and if the excluded CalFresh household has an elderly or disabled member the property limit is $4,250.

If you have little or no food, you may be eligible for Expedited CalFresh benefits. Expedited CalFresh benefits may be available to you within three days if you and your household are eligible for the CalFresh program and have 1) Rent or mortgage and utility costs that are more than your liquid resources and this month's income before deductions, OR 2) No more than $100 in liquid resources and less than $150 income for the month before deductions, OR 3) No more than $100 in liquid resources and at least one member who is a migrant or seasonal farm worker. Before you can get CalFresh benefits, the identity of the primary applicant must be verified, and you may need to be interviewed.

Note: Households that include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) only members may apply and be certified for CalFresh under the CalFresh Application "Joint Processing" by Social Security Administration (SSA) and the County. This means that if SSA submits an application on behalf of an SSI Customer, and all members in that household are in receipt of SSI, the Case Manager will waive the CalFresh interview.

Yes, you may be eligible to benefits. There are a few special rules for households that contain an elderly or disabled member. Elderly/Disabled households are entitled to special deductions for excess shelter costs, excess medical expenses, and determination of income eligibility based on adjusted net income only. Elderly/Disabled households are not subject to the Gross Income test for CalFresh eligibility.

Yes. You will be asked to provide a contact address/phone number so we can reach you if necessary. If you do not have an alternate mailing address we will provide a local address for you to use so you can pick up your mail.

Yes, you can apply, however your parents must be included in your application.

Effective June 1, 2019 individuals who receive SSI/SSP may be eligible to CalFresh benefit.

Effective April 1, 2015 individuals who have a drug felony may be eligible to benefits.

CalFresh benefits are accessed through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card works much like an ATM or debit card and can be used to buy groceries. If you have never received CalFresh and/or CalWORKs benefits in Stanislaus county, a new EBT card will be mailed to you. If you have received either CalFresh and/or CalWORKs benefits from Stanislaus county, your previous card will be reactivated. Please see FAQ question #20 if you need a replacement EBT card.

EBT cards do not work for various reasons, such as the card may not be active, or there are no remaining benefits. You may call the EBT Customer Service Automated Response Unit (ARU) at 1-877-328-9677 or your case manager at 1-877-652-0734.

Call the EBT Customer Service Automated Response Unit (ARU) at 1-877-328-9677 to report your card lost or stolen immediately. At this time you may also request a new card be mailed to you. If you need a new card right away contact your case manager or go into your local Community Services Agency office.

Yes, you may apply for CalFresh benefits at any time.

You may:

• Go online to BenefitsCal.com
• Go online to the California EBT Client Website www.ebt.ca.gov
• Call EBT Customer Service Automated Response Unit (ARU) 1-877-328-9677
• Call our automated system at 1-877-652-0734 for benefit information or to speak to a Customer Service Representative.

You may contact:

• Online: BenefitsCal.com
• Call our automated system at 1-877-652-0734 to speak to a Customer Service Representative, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.