Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in California. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Food
CalFresh (SNAP) for seniors in California
CalFresh is California's name for SNAP: a monthly amount on an EBT card to help buy groceries, run by each county's social services office.
Households with older adults renew every two years, or up to every 36 months if no one in the household works. If everyone in your home is 60 or older, disabled or homeless, you may also use CalFresh at participating restaurants.
How to apply in California
- Online
- benefitscal.com
- By phone
- 1-877-847-3663
- In person
- Go to your county social services office. The CalFresh website has an office locator.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in California
| Savings limit, household with someone 60+ or disabled, gross income at or under 200% of poverty | No limit Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (source 4) |
|---|---|
| Savings limit if gross income is over 200% of poverty (Oct. 2026 to Sept. 2027) | $4,750 |
| Gross income limit for the no-savings-test rule (broad-based categorical eligibility) | 200% of the poverty level |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| How long approval lasts, households with older adults | 2 years, or up to 36 months if all members are older adults or disabled and no one has earned income (ESAP) |
|---|
How California is different
Where California's rules differ from the federal rules for SNAP for seniors.
- Households of older adults or people with disabilities with no earned income may be approved for up to 36 months, with fewer reports along the way (Elderly Simplified Application Project)
- Restaurant Meals Program: if everyone in your household is 60 or older, disabled or homeless, you may buy prepared meals at participating restaurants
- State-funded food benefits (California Food Assistance Program, CFAP) for some lawfully present immigrants who can't get CalFresh only because of their immigration status, such as green card holders who haven't met the five-year wait. You apply with the same CalFresh application.
Sources: California Department of Social Services (source 3), USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (source 10)
Good to know
- Since June 1, 2026, CalFresh work rules apply to adults 18 to 64 who don't have a disability and don't live with a household member under 14, unless they are excused.
- California plans to open CFAP to income-eligible people 55 and older regardless of immigration status on October 1, 2027. It is not available yet.
Free help
Free help with this in California
California Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in California
SNAP food benefits in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- California Department of Social Services, CalFresh (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Social Services, CalFresh: California's Food Assistance Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Social Services, Fact Sheet on CalFresh Eligibility: Initial Requirements and Ongoing Reporting (updated 2/10/26) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, CalFresh ePolicy: Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Social Services, California Food Assistance Program (CFAP): Who is Eligible (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Social Services, California Food Assistance Program (CFAP): CFAP Expansion (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Social Services, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility chart (June 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information: FY 2027 standards (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, Restaurant Meals Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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