CalFresh Food Assistance

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
 

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Publication 13 describes your rights and offers instructions on how to file a civil rights complaint.  The information in the PUB 13 pamphlet is for individuals applying for, receiving, and who have received public assistance and/or services.

Pub 13 English

PUB 13 (Large Print) English

PUB 13 (Translations):

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Your Rights Under California Public Benefits Programs (English Audio)

English Transcript
 

All CalFresh applications must be processed as quickly as possible, but no later than 30 days after the day you turned in your application.

If your CalFresh benefits are reduced or stopped and you think it’s a mistake, you have the right to appeal. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has information about how the appeal process works.

You can talk to your county worker about your case by calling (805) 781-1600. You can also ask for a review through BenefitsCal.

You may be able to get CalFresh even if you are in college. Even if you don’t qualify, other people in your household might. To learn more about applying for CalFresh as a student, visit the BenefitsCal Student Center.

CalFresh is for eligible individuals & families including older adults. People who live together and buy and cook food together are considered a "household." Spouses and their children under age 22 must be in the same household.

Create a BenefitsCal account if you don't already have one. After you create an account and link your CalFresh case, you can:

• See important notices
• Report changes
• Ask for help if your situation changes
• Track your case online

Creating an account now can help you stay up to date and avoid delays with your benefits.

Don’t risk losing benefits because a renewal notice went to an old address or you missed a deadline. Make sure the county has your current phone number, mailing address, and email.

 

A new federal rule for CalFresh started on June 1, 2026. Some adults may need to work, volunteer, or join an approved education or training program to keep getting CalFresh benefits.

To meet the rule, you must complete 20 hours each week (80 hours each month). You can combine different activities to get the hours you need.

Many people do not have to meet this rule. This includes people who are pregnant, have a disability, care for a young child or someone with a disability, or meet other exemption rules. If the rule applies to you, your worker will tell you and send you a notice with details.
 

The new work rule does NOT apply if you:

• Are younger than 18 or older than 64
• Live in a household with a child under age 14
• Are pregnant
• Have a physical or mental health condition that keeps you from working 20 hours a week
• Care for someone who is sick, injured, or disabled
• Are enrolled in school at least half-time (Cuesta College) (Cal Poly) (Alan Hancock)
• Receive or have applied for unemployment or disability benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran’s disabilities benefits, workers compensation, or State-issued temporary or permanent disability benefits
• Meet Welfare-to-Work rules
• Participate in an Office of Refugee Resettlement training program
• Are an Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian (a member or descendant of a federally recognized tribe)

If the work rule applies to you, your worker will explain what you need to do and will send you a notice with the details.

If you already get CalFresh, the new work rule will not start until your next renewal. If you are new to CalFresh and apply on or after June 1, 2026, the new rule may start sooner.

You can learn if these changes affect you by using the CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Rules: Pre-Screening Tool.
 

If the new work rule applies to you and you don’t participate in approved activities for at least 20 hours per week, you will only get CalFresh for up to 3 months in a 3‑year period.

If you are meeting the work rule or qualify for an exemption, the 3‑month limit does not apply to you. You can log in to BenefitsCal to see if the time limit applies to you and check your status.
 

If you have questions about your CalFresh benefits or want to know if the new work rule applies to you, contact the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services at any of the six office locations. Staff there can explain the rules and help you find programs that may help you meet the work requirement.
 

Contact the SLO Food Bank at (805) 238-4664 or go to their website to find local food resources near you.