February CalFresh benefits are being issued early.
February 2019 CalFresh benefits for most participants are being issued early, on January 15, 2019.
Why?
This is necessary due to the continuing partial federal government shutdown, and helps ensure that federal funds are available to pay these benefits.
Plan ahead.
If you receive your February CalFresh benefits early, please plan your food budget to make sure these benefits will last you through the end of February. These are not extra benefits: they are the regular benefits for February, just paid ahead of the usual schedule, and they will need to last you through the month of February.
Exceptions:
Not everyone will receive February benefits early. Households that completed their periodic report or recertification after January 14, or had their benefits restored after January 14, will be scheduled to receive their February benefits on or after February 1, 2019 as usual, assuming federal funds are available.
We will keep you informed.
We expect funds to be available for some time into February. We will provide updates as we receive more information.
Operations continue.
The EBT (electronic benefit transfer) system remains operational. New applications continue to be accepted and processed, and expedited services continue to be available.
