Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 - California Food Stamps Help (2024)

Will California food stamps recipients receive extra CalFresh benefits for February? The extra food stamps for California for February 2023 are part of the Emergency Allotment (EA) Program. If you want to know how much extra CalFresh benefits you can expect in February and when you’ll receive them, continue reading below.

Alert: See below for when the $1,050 California Inflation Relief Checks will be mailed.

ANNOUNCEMENT: February 2023 will be the last month to receive extra Calfresh benefits. The program will no longer continue in March 2023. To learn more, continue reading below.

In this article, we will cover:

  • What are Emergency Allotment benefits?
  • Who qualifies for extra SNAP benefits?
  • How much in extra food stamps will I receive?
  • When you’ll receive your Extra Food Stamps in California
  • Extra Food Stamps for California – February 2023
  • Who is eligible for the $1,050 California Inflation Relief Checks?

Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 - California Food Stamps Help (1)

Table of Contents

  • Extra Food Stamp Benefits in California
  • Emergency Allotment Benefits Eligibility
  • Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023
  • CalFresh Emergency Allotment Payment Schedule for 2023
  • Inflation Relief Checks are coming for Millions of Californians - worth up to $1,050
  • Importance of CalFresh Benefits
  • New Summer EBT Program
  • Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 Summary

Extra Food Stamp Benefits in California

Since March 2020, California has been using temporary SNAP flexibility to provide emergency food benefits to households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These temporary flexibilities are also referred to as Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits.

What are Emergency Allotment benefits?

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized emergency SNAP benefits because of COVID-19.

In California, the emergency allotments will raise each household’s monthly allotment of CalFresh to the maximum allowable based on household size.

In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will approve requests for the additional benefits on a month-by-month basis.

We will update this post each month to reflect the extra food stamps that was approved for the month.

EA benefits are part of the Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also know as P-SNAP.

To find out what households qualify to receive Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits during the Coronavirus pandemic, continue reading below.

Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 - California Food Stamps Help (2)

Emergency Allotment Benefits Eligibility

If you are trying to find out if you are eligible to receive extra CalFresh benefits in California, we can help.

To find out who qualifies for extra food stamps benefits, continue reading below.

Who qualifies for extra CalFresh benefits?

Any household that is currently receiving CalFresh benefits qualifies for extra food stamp Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits.

There is no extra paperwork to turn in to get the extra CalFresh benefits.

It will simply be added to your EBT card, and you’ll be able to use it just like regular CalFresh.

In addition, any household that is approved for SNAP EBT in a month when EA benefits are issued, will also qualify to receive extra food stamp benefits.

To find out how much you can expect to receive in extra SNAP benefits, continue reading below.

How much in extra food stamps will I receive?

The amount of extra food stamp benefits you receive is determined by your household size.

Your Emergency Allotment benefits through P-SNAP is the difference between the amount of benefits you are currently receiving and the maximum benefit amount for your household size.

If you are already receiving the maximum monthly benefit amount for your household size, then you will not receive any additional or extra SNAP benefits.

However, if you are not receiving the maximum benefit allotment for your household size, then you will receive extra food stamp benefits.

This means that you will receive the Maximum Benefit Amount for your household size with EA benefits.

For help, check out our example on how to calculate your Emergency Allotment benefits below:

Emergency Allotment Benefits Calculator

The formula to calculate how much in extra CalFresh you will receive through Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits is provided below.

Maximum Monthly Benefit Allotment for Household Size – Current Monthly CalFresh Benefits = Total Extra Allotment CalFresh benefits

Example:

If you live in a household of 3 people and are currently receiving $400 in CalFresh benefits per month, then you will receive $135 in extra food stamp benefits.

That’s because the maximum allotment amount for a household of three is $535 per month.

To find out the maximum SNAP benefit allotment for your household size, check out the table below.

Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment by Household Size

Use the chart below to find the Maximum SNAP Allotment Amount for your household size.

The 2022/2023 maximum SNAP allotments for the District of Columbia and all states other than Alaska and Hawaii are as follows:

Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household SizeMaximum SNAP Benefit Allotment
1$281
2$516
3$740
4$939
5$1,116
6$1,339
7$1,480
8$1,691
Each Additional Household Member: Add$211

When you’ll receive Extra SNAP Benefits in California

All households with active CalFresh cases in the benefit month will receive the maximum amount of benefits for their household size.

Emergency Allotments are approved on a rolling basis and issued by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

The Emergency Allotment for a benefit month is issued in the middle of the next month.

For example, when you get the extra benefit in mid-March, it’s technically for the month of February.

If you do not receive your Emergency Allotment benefits, please contact your SNAP caseworker at your local CDSS office.

However, before you call your caseworker, make sure you have reviewed the payment schedule below to see all three issuance dates for extra benefit for the month you are missing.

To find the CDSS office near you, click here.

To find out when you can expect to receive your extra California SNAP benefits for this month, continue reading below.

Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 - California Food Stamps Help (3)

Extra Food Stamps for California – February 2023

To find out when you can expect to receive your Emergency Allotment EA benefits on your California SNAP EBT Card for February 2023, see below.

When will I receive my extra food stamp benefits for February 2023?

California has requested and been approved to issue CalFresh emergency allotments for the month of February 2023.

February Extra CalFresh benefits will be issued on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

For February 2023, CalSAWS and CalWIN will be issued on the same day.

I did not receive Extra Food Stamps in January. What Can I Do?

Extra food stamps benefits for January 2023 will be paid on Saturday, February 4, 2023, and Saturday, February 11, 2023.

However, if you did not receive your benefits in January, the next round of January payments will be issued on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

I still have not received my Extra Food Stamps for December. What Can I Do?

Extra food stamps benefits for December 2022 were paid on Saturday, January 7, 2023 and Friday, January 13, 2023.

However, if you did not receive your benefits on January 7th or January 13th, the next round of December payments will be issued on Saturday, February 4, 2023, and Saturday, February 11, 2023.

Also, if your December payment did not come on Saturday, February 4th or Saturday, February 11th, then the last opportunity to receive your payment for October is on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Is California issuing extra SNAP benefits in March 2023?

No, California will not be issuing extra food stamp benefits in March 2023.

February is the last month to receive extra food stamp benefits in California.

Earlier this month, the USDA announced that the Emergency Allotment (EA) Program that issues the extra good stamp benefits will end on March 1, 2023.

This means that February 2023 will be your last month to receive the extra EA benefits on your Calfresh EBT Card.

For March 2023, all SNAP households will return to their normal pre-pandemic benefit amount.

Not sure how much you will receive? Check out our Calfresh Food Stamps Calculator to find out.

In addition, households receiving both Social Security and SNAP may see a decrease in their SNAP benefits.

This is due to the increase in Social Security benefits that went into effect on January 1, 2023.

To learn more about all the changes happening to California food stamps and Calfresh benefits, check out this article.

Are new CaliforniaSNAP recipients eligible for extra food stamp benefits?

Yes, if your CalFresh application is approved during the month of February, P-SNAP benefits will be issued at the time of approval.

How do I check to see if I received my extra SNAP benefits?

To find out if you have received your extra SNAP EBT benefits for January or February, check your CalFresh EBT Card balance.

The Emergency Allotment benefits will be automatically deposited to your card EBT Card on your scheduled date.

Click here to find out how to check your CalFresh EBT Card balance.

CalFresh Emergency Allotment Payment Schedule for 2023

Here’s how to read the Emergency Allotment Payment Schedule Below:

As mentioned above, each eligible household will only receive one emergency allotment per benefit month that emergency allotments are approved.

However, California runs three issuances for each approved emergency allotment for a given month.

Therefore, if you did not get the benefit on the first issuance date for a particular month, it means it may be sent on the second issuance date.

Furthermore, if you did not get the benefit for a particular month on the first or second issuance date, it means you will receive that benefit on the third issuance date for that month.

It is therefore possible that your extra benefit for a particular month may be issued the following month, two months after, or three months after.

Here’s the CalFresh Emergency Allotment Issuance Schedule for 2022 and 2023.

Benefit MonthFirst IssuanceSecond IssuanceThird Issuance
2023
February 2023March 25TBATBA
January 2023February 4 & 11March 25TBA
2022
December 2022January 7 & 13February 4 & 11March 25
November 2022December 17January 7 & 13February 4 & 11
October 2022November 19 & 26December 17January 7 & 13
September 2022October 15November 19 & 26December 17
August 2022September 3 & 9October 15

November 19 & 26

July 2022August 14 & 21September 3 & 9October 15
June 2022July 16 & 23August 14 & 21

September 3 & 9

May 2022June 11 & 18July 16 & 23August 14 & 21
April 2022May 14 & 21June 11 & 18July 16 & 23
March 2022April 16May 14 & 21June 11 & 18
February 2022March 19 & 26April 16May 14 & 21
January 2022February 26March 19 & 26April 16

What is the New CalFresh Income Limit for 2023?

Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.

If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.

California SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household SizeMonthly Gross Income (200% of FPL)Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL)
1$2,265$1,133
2$3,052$1,526
3$3,839$1,920
4$4,625$2,313
5$5,412$2,706
6$6,199$3,100
7$6,985$3,493
8$7,772$3,886
Each Additional Household Member: Add$787$394

Inflation Relief Checks are coming for Millions of Californians – worth up to $1,050

According to CNBC, more than half of California’s residents may soon receive a stimulus check from the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has announced.

This is part of an inflation relief package worth $17 billion.

It is estimated that 23 million Californians will receive payments, totaling up to $1,050 for joint filers with at least one dependent.

Payments will be mailed this fall.

Who is Eligible for Inflation Relief Check?

Eligibility for the inflation relief check will depend on how much money each California resident earns, as well as how many dependents they have.

To be eligible, you must fall into one of the three income tiers for either single or joint tax filers.

Here are the income tiers for single and joint filers and how much each tier could receive.

Single tax filers will receive:

$350 if they earn less than $75,000 per year
$250 if they earn between $75,001 and $125,000 per year
$200 if they earn between $125,001 and $250,000 per year

Joint tax filers will receive:

$700 if they earn less than $150,000 per year
$500 if they earn between $150,001 and $250,000 per year
$400 if they earn between $250,001 and $500,000 per year

However, if either single or joint filers have at least one dependent, they will receive an additional amount of either $350, $250, or $200, based on their tier.

Importance of CalFresh Benefits

Here is data about CalFresh from The Public Policy Institute of California.

About 4.8 million Californians—one in eight—participate each month in CalFresh.

Additionally, about 6.5 million Californians are eligible for CalFresh, according to the California Department of Social Services 2022.

Also, roughly half of California’s young children participate in CalFresh by the time they turn six.

In California, families are eligible for CalFresh when their incomes fall under the federal poverty line ($27,750 in 2022 for a family of four).

Furthermore, as of January 2023, the average monthly benefit per participant was $262.

New Summer EBT Program

The omnibus spending legislation before Congresswould createa “Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer” (Summer EBT) debit card program for low-income families.

It will provide a monthly $40 per child grocery benefit that would be adjusted for inflation over time.

The roughly 30 million children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches would be automatically enrolled in the program.

This will help their families to afford food in the summer—when low-income households have been shown to struggle with food insecurity at higher rates than during the school year.

Extra Food Stamps for California – February 2023 Summary

Here’s the bottom line about Extra Food Stamps for California – February 2023:

Since March 2020, California has been using temporary SNAP flexibility to provide emergency food benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each eligible household will only receive one emergency allotment per benefit month that emergency allotments are approved.

Extra CalFresh benefits for February 2023 will be paid on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

However, California runs three issuances for each approved emergency allotment for a given month.

Therefore, it is possible that your extra benefit for February may be issued in March 2023 or April 2023.

Also, if you did not receive your January extra SNAP benefits in February, the next round of January payments will be issued on Saturday, March 25thas well.

Questions?

We hope this post on Extra Food Stamps for California – February 2023 was helpful.

If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including:

  • Are we getting Extra Food Stamps This Month?
  • $3,000 Child Tax Credit
  • California Inflation Relief Checks – Who is Eligible?
  • How long will Extra SNAP for California Last?
  • Can you buy Dog Food with SNAP EBT?
  • California Food Assistance for Undocumented Immigrants
Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 - California Food Stamps Help (2024)

FAQs

Extra Food Stamps for California - February 2023 - California Food Stamps Help? ›

California has requested and been approved to issue CalFresh

CalFresh
CalFresh benefits stretch food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including more fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on household size countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities.
https://www.cdss.ca.gov › inforesources › calfresh
Emergency Allotments (EA) for the month of February 2023. These benefits will be available on Sunday, March 26, 2023. This calendar will be updated each month that EA are approved.

Are we getting extra food stamps this month in California in 2023? ›

The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, ended nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. More details can be found below, on the FNS blog (also available in Spanish), and in the Recent Changes to SNAP Benefits infographic.

Is California still giving pandemic food stamps? ›

California issued the final iteration of P-EBT, P-EBT 4.0, in Fall of 2023 following the expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 on May 11, 2023.

How long will CalFresh emergency allotment last? ›

CalFresh Emergency Allotments are ending because new federal law in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ends the issuance of CalFresh Emergency Allotments to households in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is California getting extra food stamps in 2024? ›

Starting 2024, you can buy more food for your child with California SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT. SUN Bucks works just like CalFresh, but while school is out. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July and August 2024 ($120 total).

Is CalFresh still giving the extra 95 dollars? ›

This increase was at least $95 in CalFresh benefits per month. But starting in April, CalFresh users will notice a big drop in their food benefits. That's because those extra CalFresh pandemic funds were discontinued on Feb. 28, making March the last month the emergency allotments will appear in your CalFresh benefits.

Is CalWORKs giving extra money in 2023? ›

Is CalWORKs giving extra money in 2023? Starting October 1, 2023, the CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) will rise by 3.6 percent. Additionally, the 10 percent MAP increase scheduled to end on September 30, 2023, will continue. However, this 3.6 percent MAP increase might lead to a decrease in CalFresh benefits.

Is there going to be a PEBt 4.0 in California? ›

P-EBT 4.0 cards are automatically sent to eligible families and can be swiped at most supermarkets, farmers markets and online retailers like Amazon. Cash cannot be used on hot meals or at restaurants, according to the California Department of Social Services.

How much food stamps will I get for 1 person in California? ›

How many CalFresh benefits can you receive? Your CalFresh allotment depends on the size of your household. Starting October 1, 2023, the maximum allotment for one person is $291 per month. The maximum allotment for a four person family is $973.

What time do Snap benefits get deposited in California? ›

According to an article on SavingAdvice.com, SNAP benefits and cash benefits are typically deposited onto your EBT card between midnight and 8 a.m. on the designated deposit date.

Is CalFresh ending in California? ›

A final CalFresh Emergency Allotment will be issued in March 2023, and recipients will return to their original CalFresh benefit amount in April 2023.

How to get more money from CalFresh? ›

These documents are optional but can increase your benefit amount:
  1. Proof of housing expenses.
  2. Proof of child support that you pay.
  3. Proof of child/dependent care that you pay for.
  4. If you are 60+ or disabled, proof of medical expenses.

What is the minimum monthly allotment for CalFresh? ›

As of April 2023, the CalFresh minimum monthly benefit is $23 and the maximum benefit can be as high as $939 for a family of four. With any CalFresh benefit amount, you can buy fresh, healthy food at most stores and farmers markets.

Is California giving out extra food stamps? ›

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits because of COVID-19. In California, the emergency allotments will raise each household's monthly allotment of CalFresh to the maximum allowable based on household size.

Can you buy hot food with EBT in California? ›

California's Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows eligible homeless, elderly, and/or disabled EBT cardholders receiving CalFresh benefits to purchase hot prepared foods at participating restaurants using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

Do California SNAP benefits expire? ›

CalFresh benefits depend on the person's income and can be as short as a month or the maximum benefit period of three years. SNAP benefits expire after 9 months of non-use, meaning if you do not use your Electronic Benefits Transfer card during this time, the benefits will be removed from your account.

How much CalFresh will I get in 2023? ›

As of October 1, 2023, the maximum monthly allotment for a one-person household in California is $291, for a two-person household $536, for a three-person household is $766, for a four-person household is $973, for a five-person household is $1,155, for a six-person household is $1,386, for a seven-person household is ...

How much is the EBT 4.0 in California? ›

According to a letter obtained by The Sacramento Bee, eligible families will receive up to $147 each month of the 2022-23 school year. P-EBT 4.0 benefits will also go to young children (under 6) who are not enrolled in school but receive CalFresh benefits.

What is the highest income for food stamps in 2023? ›

SNAP Income Limits—Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024
Household SizeGross monthly income (130% of poverty)Net monthly income (100% of poverty)
1$1,580$1,215
2$2,137$1,644
3$2,694$2,072
4$3,250$2,500
1 more row
Jan 16, 2024

How much do you get for one person on SNAP? ›

SNAP Benefit Calculation for Individuals

Maximum Monthly Benefit: In the fiscal year 2024, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a single-person household is $291. This amount is the upper limit and is designed to meet the nutritional needs as defined by the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 5519

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.