EBT cards to become more secure

Published 3/10/22. Updated 6/15/22.

A change is coming that will make your EBT card more secure!

Due to a recent increase in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) theft, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will begin including Card Verification Value (CVV) as part of the electronic transaction validation process for food and cash EBT purchases. This change will improve card security for cardholders. 

The CVV number is an added layer of coding embedded in the magnetic strip and is not visible to cardholders. All cards printed since October 2018 already have CVV technology and are just awaiting CVV activation to be turned on. 

If your card was issued prior to October 2018, then the EBT vendor will automatically send you a replacement card in the mail, with instructions to start using the new card. Activate and start using the new card right away. Once you activate the new card, it will deactivate the old card. Your PIN and benefits from the old card will not change. 

Cards printed in our office, or issued by the EBT vendor after October 2018, will not be impacted. 

The activation of the CVV technology is currently planned for late April 2022. Once it is turned on, the old cards issued prior to October 2018 will no longer work. 

If you have any questions about the new cards, you can call EBT customer service at 1 (877) 328-9677, or call the Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services Access number, 1 (866) 404-4007, to reach your district office or the BSC.

REMINDER: Please be aware that when you make someone a Designated Alternate Cardholder (DAC) or Authorized Representative (AR), they will have access to ALL of your cash aid and/or CalFresh benefits. If you have ever requested a DAC or AR that you no longer wish to have access to your benefits but did not call to remove them, then they may also receive a new card. The county is not responsible for lost or stolen benefits by a DAC or AR. You can change who can access your cash aid or CalFresh by calling EBT customer service at 1 (877) 328-9677, or your worker at 1 (866) 404-4007. Remember: to keep your benefits secure, it is YOUR responsibility to call EBT customer service or your worker to have them terminate access to your EBT account for another household member, a DAC, or an AR.

Changes to CalFresh benefits

What is the change?
CalFresh households will receive an increased monthly benefit amount starting on October 1, 2021.

What to expect:
The average benefit increase will be $12-16 per person per month. The new monthly minimum is $20. No action is required. 

Why the change?
Benefits were increased by 15% due to the pandemic, but this increase ends on September 30, 2021. On October 1, 2021, benefit amounts will increase again by 21%.

Need to share the news?

See this printable flyer (2-sided, English & Spanish. Note: if printing, in the Print dialog box set the Scale setting to "Fit to Page.")

Eighteen Santa Barbara County Museums Announce Access Program for Low-Income Families

The Museums for All program offers free or greatly reduced price admission to some of the region’s most popular destinations and access to high-quality museum learning resources.

Eighteen museums across Santa Barbara County have joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. 

The program supports those receiving food assistance (CalFresh/SNAP) benefits by offering admission to these 18 Santa Barbara County museums for a minimal fee of $0-3 per person, up to four people, with the presentation of a CalFresh (SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer – EBT) card. 

Similar free and reduced price admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 700 museums across the country. Museums for All is part of these Santa Barbara County museums’ broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences. 

 Participating Santa Barbara County museums are:

– Art, Design & Architecture Museum, UC Santa Barbara 

– Casa del Herrero 

– Dunes Center 

– Elverhoj Museum 

– Goleta Valley Historical Society 

– Lompoc Museum 

– Ganna Walska Lotusland 

– MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation 

– Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara 

– Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences 

– Old Mission Santa Barbara 

– Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 

– Santa Barbara Historical Museum 

– Santa Barbara Maritime Museum 

– Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History & Sea Center 

– Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation 

 – Santa Barbara Zoo 

– Wildling Museum of Art & Nature 

Public Charge: what immigrants need to know.

Updated 3/16/21

UPDATE!

Important Change to Public Charge Rule

Immigrants and their loved ones across California can seek and accept medical care, food assistance and public housing without fear or confusion about public charge consequences, thanks to changes in federal policy. 

Important to know

The USCIS will not consider participation in Medi-Cal (except for long-term care), public housing, or CalFresh as part of the public charge determination.  You are also free to seek medical testing, treatment and preventive services for COVID-19, including vaccines: these are not considered for public charge purposes either.

Public Charge Guide 

See this flyer in English or Spanish.

Free legal services

If you have questions or need free legal advice about public charge, a list of nonprofit organizations qualified to provide assistance to individuals is available on the California Department of Social Services website. 

Further explanation

Following a court ruling, the 2019 Public Charge rule will not be enforced, and authorities will revert to the previous policy in place since 1999. This means the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not consider participation in Medi-Cal (except for long-term care), public housing, or CalFresh as part of the public charge determination any longer. Additionally, a reminder: medical testing, treatment and preventative services for COVID-19, including vaccines, are not considered for public charge purposes.

Specifically, on November 2, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule nationwide. That decision was stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. On March 9, 2021, the Seventh Circuit lifted its stay, allowing the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois’ order vacating the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule to go into effect. As a result, the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule is vacated nationwide.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] has stated that it will return to using policies in place before the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule. You can check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) webpage on Public Charge for updates. California health and human services leaders issued a joint statement in response to the federal public charge changes.

Our original article, published 9/5/19 and updated 2/19/20, remains below in light gray text for context. However, it no longer applies. Again: as of March 2021 the 2019 Public Charge rule will not be enforced, and DSS programs will not be considered in the public charge determination.  

INTRODUCTION

You may have heard about a new Public Charge rule in U.S. immigration law. Below is a brief summary of what you need to know. Please note, this is for general information only; it is not comprehensive information and it is not legal advice. We cannot give legal advice.

WHAT IS PUBLIC CHARGE?

In immigration law, a Public Charge is a person likely to be dependent on public programs as their main source of support. Under longstanding policy, the Federal Government can deny an individual a visa to enter the United States, or deny an application for permanent residence (green card) through a relative, to a person determined likely to become a Public Charge. This is known as the Public Charge rule. Recently, the Public Charge rule has been updated.

WHO DOES PUBLIC CHARGE AFFECT?

Most immigrants are NOT subject to the Public Charge rule. The Public Charge rule ONLY applies to people applying for permanent residence (green card) through a relative, or for a visa to enter the United States. No other types of immigration cases are impacted.

WHAT DOES THE NEW PUBLIC CHARGE RULE SAY?

The Public Charge rule has been updated to set a stricter standard for people to show they will not depend on public benefits in the future.The old rule only considered cash assistance benefits in making a public charge determination (including CalWORKs/TANF, SSI, and GA/GR). The new rule considers a longer list of public benefits:

• CalWORKs (TANF)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• General Assistance / General Relief (GA/GR)
• CalFresh (SNAP)
• Non-emergency Medi-Cal or Medicaid (Adults >21 Only)
• In-Home Supportive Services (Adults >21 Only)
• Housing Assistance, which includes Section 8 Voucher Rental Assistance, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, and Public Housing

Under the new rule, if an immigrant receives one or more of these benefits for more than 12 months over a 36-month period, they may be considered a public charge. A public charge determination will take into account various other factors as well, including family income, receipt of certain public benefits, and how likely the applicant is to be employed.

WHEN WILL THE NEW PUBLIC CHARGE RULE TAKE EFFECT?

The new rule takes effect February 24, 2020. The Department of Homeland Security will NOT consider an immigrant's receipt of the newly listed benefits before February 24, 2020. (The new rule was originally scheduled to take effect on October 15, 2019. However, due to lawsuits, an injunction, or pause, was ordered. The injunction was lifted by the Supreme Court on January 27, 2020, allowing the rule to go forward. Other legal challenges still could impact the rule.)

DOES THE NEW RULE AFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS? 

No! The new public charge rule does not change eligibility for health and public benefits programs. If you qualify for public benefits, you are still eligible.

WHO IS NOT AFFECTED BY PUBLIC CHARGE?

Immigrants who do NOT have to worry about Public Charge include: 

• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who apply for citizenship
• Refugees and Asylees
• Special Immigrant Juveniles
• Trafficking victims
• Victims of qualifying criminal activity
• Certain domestic violence victims
• Immigrants with no legal status who are not eligible to status adjustment (undocumented population)
• U.S. Citizens

Remember, Public Charge does not apply to the majority of immigrants.

I WANT TO BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN. WILL IT HURT MY CASE IF I USE BENEFITS?

No! There is no public charge test for naturalization, which is the process to become a U.S. citizen. However, permanent residents that travel outside the United States for more than 180 days could be subject to public charge rules.

WHAT IF MY CHILDREN OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS RECEIVE BENEFITS? 

Family members aren't considered. The rule only considers benefits received directly by the person applying for a change in status (i.e. permanent residence or visa) or if they are listed as a beneficiary. Benefits received by family members, like U.S. citizen children, will not count against you. Note: If you are ready to become a permanent resident, consult with an immigration expert, especially if you have to leave the United States for your green card interview, because the rules are different for people in that situation.

ARE ALL PUBLIC BENEFITS PART OF THE RULE?

No! Many public benefits are not considered under the new rule. Public benefits that are NOT considered in a public charge determination, even under the new rule, include:

• Nutrition benefits through Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• Free school breakfast or lunch
• Services provided to children under age 21 through Medi-Cal and/or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Services provided to pregnant persons or persons up to 60 days following their pregnancy on Medi-Cal
• Emergency medical services covered by Medi-Cal
• Covered California health care subsidies or Medicare coverage
• Non-cash benefits funded solely by the state or a local entity, like expanded Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented children and young adults, or the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
• Child care, Head Start, or public education

Eligible individuals and families  should continue to receive these important benefits! 

WHAT IF I FILED MY GREEN CARD APPLICATION ALREADY?

The new rule does NOT apply to cases filed before February 24, 2020. The old rule, which does not consider receipt of CalFresh, Medi-Cal, etc., is still in effect for cases filed before then.

WHAT IF THE RULE DOES APPLY TO ME?

There are many other factors considered when a public charge determination is made, like age, education, health, income level, and employment status – positive factors that can be weighed against negative factors in this forward-looking test.

WHAT IF I HEARD SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

Although the Public Charge rule does not apply to most immigrants, we know that rules like this can have a chilling effect on immigrants using public services because of confusion, misinformation, and fear. Individuals can be misinformed via resources they deem reliable such as word of mouth, non-traditional media and people who call themselves immigration attorneys or specialists but who don’t have training in these complex topics. This misinformation can result in families not signing up for benefits even when they are eligible, withdrawing from programs, or letting their benefits lapse. That is why it is critical that people ask a qualified legal resource before removing themselves or their families off public benefits that they qualify for and need to make ends meet.

I HAVE QUESTIONS…WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Consult an immigration expert to discuss your individual case before making important decisions about the well-being of your family. See this online list or this printable list of legal services providers in your area who can help with Public Charge questions. For tip sheets and other resources helpful for people who work with immigrant families, click here.

CalFresh student eligibility temporarily expanded

Effective immediately, students are encouraged to apply for CalFresh IF they are eligible for federal or state work study program, even if the student does not secure a work study job; OR if they have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0. 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily changes the CalFresh student eligibility rule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes are effective immediately and will remain in place until 30 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted. If a student meets one of the following criteria, they are encouraged to apply for CalFresh:

• The student is eligible for state or federally financed work study during the regular school year, as determined by the campus financial aid office, OR
• The student has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0, as determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Before the Act was passed, students had to be approved for work study (not just eligible) and anticipate working during the approved term(s). The Act temporarily expands the work study exemption to all eligible students. In other words, it is no longer required that a student be officially approved for work study or anticipate getting a work study job.

For more information, including a list of acceptable verifications, see this printable flyer and this printable FAQ sheet.

CalFresh benefits temporarily increasing

Due to increased need during the COVID public health crisis, all CalFresh benefits will be increased by 15% from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021. Additionally, the minimum allotment for households of one or two members will increase from $16 to $19. 

CalFresh households will receive supplements for January and February in early February 2021 as a result of the increase. For March forward, the increase will be included in the regular allotment.

The increases are a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

NOTE: CalFresh brochures are distributed with an income insert that lists the CalFresh maximum monthly allotment amount. Due to this temporary 15% increase, an updated version of that insert is available here  in English and Spanish. The updated insert is effective from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 only.

 

Route 1 Farmers Market joins Market Match program

Many Farmers Markets in our County accept the CalFresh EBT card—and offer the Market Match program that can double the value of CalFresh benefits spent there. (See this printable brochure for more information, including a list of participating markets.)

But until now, if you lived in the Lompoc area, you didn't have a market that participated in the program. That's changing now! Starting Sunday June 14 2020, the Route 1 Farmers Market in the Lompoc area is offering Market Match. Cash in $10 worth of CalFresh benefits, and you'll get $20 worth of tokens to buy fresh, healthy, locally grown food at the market!

You can buy fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, baked goods, meat, fish, poultry, milk, eggs, cheese, jams, jelly, honey, seeds and plants which produce food. (You cannot use the benefits to buy hot foods, soap, non-food items, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins or medicine.)

The Route 1 Farmers Market is located at 3745 Constellation Road in the Vandenberg Village neighborhood and is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the Route 1 market, click to enlarge the graphics below!

English:

Spanish:

CalFresh Food reminds you to... BE COUNTED, CALIFORNIA!

California Census 2020

• Communities in California have been under-counted in past Censuses. An under-count means California is not getting a fair share of funding and representation, since not everyone living in our state was counted.

• Your participation in the Census will help secure funding for California families. Funding goes toward schools, affordable housing,social assistance programs, hospitals, job opportunities,and much more.

• Information collected for the 2020 Census can't be shared or used against you in any way. It can't be given to immigration or law enforcement agencies, and it can't be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits.

#CALIFORNIAFORALL

• To learn more about the 2020 Census, visit californiacensus.org
• To learn more about CalFresh, visit CalFreshFood.org
• Click for a printable flyer with this same information in English or Spanish

P-EBT: Get help buying food while schools are closed.

With schools closed due to #COVID19, children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals can get $365 in food benefits, in addition to school-provided "to-go" meals, with new COVID-19 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits. Learn more about these P-EBT food benefits at: https://ca.p-ebt.org/info.

If your family DOES receive CalFresh, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal or other social services, you do NOT need to apply for P-EBT. You will receive it automatically. Look for your P-EBT card arriving in the mail between May 8-22.

If your family does NOT receive CalFresh, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal or other social services, but is eligible for free and reduced-eligible school meals, then you WILL need to apply at https://ca.p-ebt.org/ between May 22 and June 30, 2020.

Learn more about these P-EBT food benefits at: https://ca.p-ebt.org/info. Or see the printable flyer (in English or Spanish), or the printable FAQ sheet (English).

Questions about how to set up a PIN for a P-EBT card? Check out these how-to half-sheets in English and Spanish.

Use Your EBT Card Online

As of April 28, 2020 you can use your CalFresh EBT card to make purchases online.

Individuals and families can purchase groceries online using their CalFresh EBT card at Amazon and Walmart. If you receive CalWORKs, you may also be able to use your cash benefits to make purchases online at Wal-Mart.

• See these printable flyers in English and Spanish.
• See these printable fact sheets in English and Spanish.

California expedited implementation of EBT online purchasing in response to COVID-19. Allowing for EBT online purchases will support vulnerable populations in meeting their nutrition needs, especially while a statewide stay-at-home order remains in place. California is actively working to expand the number of stores that accept EBT online in the future.

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits that help individuals and families buy healthy, nutritious food! Even if temporary, individuals and families who have experienced a change in their circumstances and need additional help may apply for CalFresh. Californians can visit GetCalFresh.org to apply or call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) to be connected to their local county social services office.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 12:

Starting November 12, 2020, the option to use EBT online has expanded to include a number of  

Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons grocery store locations. They will accept EBT online when choosing pickup at participating "Drive Up and Go" stores.  

You can find updated EBT Online materials in English and Spanish on the CDSS website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/ebt-online. These materials include a list (in English and Spanish) of participating Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons grocery store locations. At this time, none of them are in Santa Barbara County, but the list will be updated if that changes.

More CalFresh on Your EBT Card in April & May 2020

If you get CalFresh, you may get extra CalFresh benefits on your EBT card to help buy food during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in April and May 2020. See these printable flyers in English or Spanish, or read on below for details.

Will I get extra CalFresh benefits? If you got CalFresh in March or will get it in April, and you are not already getting the maximum for your household size, then you will get extra benefits up to the maximum. For example, a 3-person household that normally gets $200 per month will get an extra benefit of $309, because $509 is the maximum benefit for a household of 3.

When can I use the extra CalFresh? If you got CalFresh for March, extra benefit will be ready to use on April 12. If you got CalFresh for April, extra benefits will be ready to use on May 10.

Will I need to turn in paperwork or apply to get the extra CalFresh? No. You don’t need to fill out extra paperwork. The extra CalFresh will be added to your EBT card and you’ll be able to use it just like regular CalFresh.

What other assistance is available during COVID-19? You can call your local 2-1-1 or the state hotline 833-544-2374 to get referrals to additional local resources, or visit this resource page online: https://bit.ly/covid-food-resources.

What if I’m not getting CalFresh? You can apply! Go to GetCalFresh.org to fill out an application, or call 1-877-847-3663 to get connected to your local county office.

Why the extra benefit? It is intended to provide a little extra help during the economic challenge of COVID-19, and was part of the “Families First Act” (H.R. 6201) passed by Congress and signed into law on March 18, 2020.

Some reports waived due to COVID-19

Attention CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients:

In response to COVID-19, your CalWORKs and CalFresh benefits will continue with no changes for March, April, May, and June 2020. This means that if your semiannual report form (SAR-7) or annual renewal was due in March, April, or May 2020, you do not have to turn it in or complete your interview. If you have turned in your March SAR-7 or renewal paperwork already, it will not be processed, and nothing will change. If your SAR-7 or renewal paperwork included information that would make your benefits go up, please call the county to report this information over the phone.

You must report if your gross monthly income goes over your family’s Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). Also, if you report that your income has gone down, your benefit amount may go up. Contact us to find out what your IRT is, to report if your income goes down, or if you have any questions about your case.

___

Si recibe los beneficios de CalWORKs o CalFresh:

En respuesta a COVID-19, sus beneficios de CalWORKs y CalFresh continuarán sin cambios para marzo, abril, mayo y junio de 2020. Esto significa que si su formulario de informe semestral (SAR-7) o la renovación anual vencen en marzo, abril o mayo de 2020, no tiene que entregarlo ni completar su entrevista. Si ya ha entregado su SAR-7 de marzo o la documentación de renovación, no se procesará y nada cambiará. Si su documentación SAR-7 o de renovación incluía información que aumentaría sus beneficios, llame al condado para informar esta información por teléfono.

Debe informar si su ingreso mensual bruto supera el umbral de Income Reporting Threshold (informe de ingresos, IRT) de su familia. Además, si informa que sus ingresos se han reducido, la cantidad de su beneficio puede aumentar. Comuníquese con nosotros para averiguar cuál es su IRT, para informar si sus ingresos disminuyen o si tiene alguna pregunta sobre su caso.

FAQs: Power Outages & Replacement CalFresh

Q: What if food I bought with CalFresh spoils due to a power outage, or is destroyed in a disaster? Can you help me replace that food, and how?

Yes, you can request a replacement of CalFresh benefits for food that is spoiled or destroyed due to a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), a natural disaster (such as wildfire, flood, mudslide, or earthquake), or a household misfortune (such as a house fire).

To request replacement of CalFresh food benefits, contact your local Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services (DSS) office. You will need to complete, sign, and turn in Form CF 303 (Replacement or Disaster Supplement Affadavit) to request a replacement. Include your contact information and a short description of how your food was lost. Include the time and date of the power outage. You can return the form in person, by mail, by fax, or online via OCTOPUS.

If the power is shut off, call your local DSS office before visiting in person to make sure they are open.

Q: How soon do I have to report the food loss? What happens after I report it?

You have 10 days to report the food loss to your local DSS office. (In some cases the deadline is extended to 20 or 30 days after a large disaster, but assume 10 days unless DSS tells you otherwise.)

The office may need to verify what happened. This may involve calling the utility company, the Red Cross, the fire department, or someone else who knows what happened; or visiting the home.

DSS can replace the actual value of the food destroyed, for a person already on CalFresh benefits, up to a maximum of one month's allotment for the household. If the EBT card was lost or destroyed in the incident, DSS can replace the card as well.

Q: What exactly is a "public safety power shutoff" (PSPS)? How can I be prepared for one?

To prevent fires and protect public safety, it is sometimes necessary for the utility company to turn off electricity when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk, are forecasted. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS. These shutoffs can last up to a week.

To learn more about being prepared for a PSPS, click here. If and when a potential PSPS event is scheduled for parts of Santa Barbara County, you will find a map and the latest information at readysbc.org/.

New mid-county Farmers Market accepts CalFresh & WIC

Looking for fresh local produce in the Lompoc Valley area? The new weekly Route One Farmers Market now accepts CalFresh EBT benefits.

The Route One Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Vandenberg Village Community Services District parking lot at 3745 Constellation Road. It offers fresh local produce, breads, juices, crafts, and more. Officially launched with a June 2 grand opening, it replaces the Village Farmers Market that closed a year ago.

The Route One Farmers Market is accepting the CalFresh EBT card starting July 7, 2019; and will be accepting WIC benefits starting August 4, 2019.

By using their EBT card at the market, CalFresh participants get healthy, delicious, local fruits and vegetables -- and, they strengthen the market's application to join the Market Match program in the future. (Market Match makes CalFresh dollars go further at participating Farmers Markets.)

Creation of the market has been a joint effort between the Healthy Lompoc Coalition, Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO), HEAL Advisory Cabinet, Public Health Department’s Nutrition Obesity Prevention Program, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and key Lompoc advocates and supporters.

“This market was founded with the intent to serve the entire community by providing access to fresh local food, as well as the opportunity for community outreach and education through local nonprofits and organizations,” said Ashley Costa, executive director of LVCHO.

Facebook users can follow the market at https://www.facebook.com/routeonefarmersmarket.

Free fresh food for eligible seniors

The Area Agency on Aging is distributing Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons to eligible senior citizens. The coupon books can be used to purchase up to $20 in fresh fruits and vegetables at WIC-authorized Certified Farmers’ Markets countywide. Seniors over the age of 60 and on a limited income are eligible to receive the FREE coupon book. For example, a single-person household can be eligible with an income up to $1926.00 a month. Quantities are limited. Available only while supply lasts. See these printable flyers with coupon distribution information for North County and South County, or phone 805-925-9554 for more information.

Free summer lunches for kids

Children ages 1-18 can get a free lunch on weekdays while schools are closed for summer! See this printable flyer (2-sided, bilingual) for dates, times and locations throughout the county. Or text SUMMERFOOD to 877-877 for a location near you. 

For more information about why this program is so important, read on.

CalFresh Eligibility Expanded to SSI Recipients

The Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services (DSS) is pleased to announce the expansion of the CalFresh food assistance program to serve people who receive Supplemental Security Income / Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) benefits, beginning June 1, 2019. There will be no change or reduction to their SSI/SSP benefit amount.

See this printable flyer (bilingual, 2-sided) or read on for more information!

May is CalFresh Awareness Month

The CalFresh program helps reduce hunger and poverty and improve health by providing food aid to millions of low-income households statewide. May is CalFresh Awareness Month, so let's take this opportunity to look at the impact of CalFresh in our County, and the changes coming to the program.

March CalFresh benefits to be issued on a single day

CalFresh benefits for March will be issued on a single day — Friday, March 1, 2019 — rather than the normal staggered issuance cycle of the first through the tenth of the month. This change will mitigate the effects of the early issuance of February benefits and the resulting gap in food assistance. All other CalFresh operations will continue as usual.

Background

The Federal government shutdown that began December 22, 2018, raised concerns that households might not receive February benefits if there was a lapse in federal appropriations for the program. To prevent this problem from occurring, February CalFresh benefits were issued early, between January 15, 2019 and January 16, 2019. (The shutdown ended on January 19, 2019.)

Although the total amount issued was the same, this raised concerns that the long gap between February and March issuances could make it harder for households to manage their benefits and make them last. Therefore, March benefits are being issued on Friday, March 1, 2019, rather than the normal staggered issuance cycle of the first through the tenth of each month. With March benefits issued on March 1, 2019, the longest gap in benefits will be 45 days, whereas if the normal staggered issuance cycle were followed, the longest gap in benefits would be 54 days (January 15, 2019 to March 10, 2019).

We appreciate the efforts of advocates, retailers, and stakeholders to minimize any client and retailer confusion.

Going forward 

At this time, the plan from April forward is to issue April benefits per the usual staggered issuance cycle of the first through the tenth of the month. If that changes, we will inform clients again.

Rumor control

We have become aware of a rumor that retailers will not accept CalFresh (SNAP) benefits beyond February 1, 2019. This is false. The truth is that stores will continue to accept benefits year 'round, the same as always. If a a retailer tells you otherwise, please let your worker know the specific retailer information (name and address) so we can clarify this for them.

The confusion may be due to the early issuance of benefits for February. For technical reasons related to the partial federal government shutdown which recently ended, February benefits for most CalFresh recipients in our County were issued early, on January 15, 2019. Please keep in mind that despite being issued early, those benefits still need to last you through the end of February as they normally would.

Remember, CalFresh benefits do not expire at the end of the month. You can roll over a balance from month to month for up to a year.