See this printable flyer (bilingual, 2-sided) or read on for more information!
“For the first time, people receiving SSI benefits can also receive CalFresh food benefits,” said Maria Gardner, deputy director of DSS, which administers the CalFresh program locally. “This much-needed change will help more seniors and disabled people in our County meet their basic needs.”
The Department and its community partners are ready to help older adults and people with disabilities who receive SSI apply for CalFresh food assistance. The historic expansion of CalFresh to this population is expected to result in an unprecedented volume of applicants this summer, and staff have been working hard to prepare.
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, allowing low-income individuals and families to afford the nutritious food—including more fruit, vegetables, and other healthy options—that they need for good health. CalFresh food benefits are delivered on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) debit card that can be used at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT. Food benefits for one person range from $15-$192 per month, with a national average of $105-$110 per month for older adults and people with disabilities.
CalFresh is a crucial tool to help alleviate hunger and poverty among our most vulnerable residents. Each month, it serves 38,000 people in 21,000 households in our County. Most CalFresh recipients are children, seniors, disabled, or working adults.
Should I apply, and how?
Households that already receive CalFresh, and currently have a household member that has been excluded because they receive SSI, do not need to re-apply or contact DSS. We will contact those households at their next report date.
There are three ways to connect with DSS to apply for CalFresh: click, call, or come in.
- Click: Visit GetCalFresh.org to apply online.
- Call: Call 1 (844) 289-4682 to apply by phone or request an application.
- Come in: Visit the DSS office nearest you in Santa Maria, Lompoc, or Santa Barbara. (You can enter your address at CalFreshFood.org to see the office nearest you.)
- Complete an application – by phone, on-line, or in person.
- Provide proof of income and expenses, if needed.
- Complete an interview – by phone or in person.
- DSS will determine your eligibility in 30 days or less. (If you have very little to no resources when you apply, eligibility determination can be expedited).
- You will receive an EBT debit card with monthly benefits to spend on food.
Additional state-funded nutrition benefits may be available to households currently participating in CalFresh who experience a drop in CalFresh benefits due to the state now counting SSI income in the CalFresh case. As always, clients can contact DSS at 1 (844) 289-4682 to ask questions or report changes at any time.
More information
Supplemental Security Income is a needs-based program that provides a monthly benefit to individuals who are blind, elderly, or have a disability. Prior to CalFresh Expansion, for disabled people who have never worked, or those who haven't worked enough in the recent years to qualify for Social Security disability insurance, Supplemental Security Income was the only program available to them. There are 8,388 SSI recipients in our County.
For more information about CalFresh SSI expansion, visit CalFreshFood.org. For more information about DSS, visit sbcDSS.org.
