Kern County, CA - Department of Human Services
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CalFresh
CalFresh, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps low-income individuals and families purchase groceries at many food stores. Participants receive CalFresh benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which looks like a regular credit card. The amount of benefits you receive depends on your family size, income, and monthly expenses.
Ways to Apply
- Apply Online: BenefitsCal.org, GetCalFresh.org or
- You may request an application in person, by phone, by fax, by mail, or at the California Department of Social Services - CalFresh Program website. Your application starts the day the county receives your signed application. You will receive an appointment by mail for an interview by phone or you may ask to complete your interview in person, or
- Apply in person at your local Human Services office, especially if you need CalFresh benefits right away, or call the CalFresh Application Line at (661) 631-6062. Leave your name and address and the application form will be mailed to you with a return envelope. Mail the completed at P.O. Box 511, Bakersfield, CA. 93302, signed application forms in the envelope. Your application starts the day the county receives your signed application. You will receive an appointment by mail for an interview by phone or you may ask to complete your interview in person, (Interview in English | Interview in Spanish). For households where everyone applying is: At least 60 or older and/or disabled, Not getting any income from work, and Purchasing and preparing food together. (Elderly form in English | Elderly form in Spanish). or
- You can fax the completed, signed application form to (661) 631-6573. Your application starts the day the county receives your signed application form.
- Or by calling the Customer Assistance TeleCenter at 1 (877) 410-8812
County Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
(Holiday hours varies)
Call Center Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Information
- Replacement or Disaster of CalFresh Supplement
Please contact your case worker to help you process this application. - Important Information Regarding Online Food Purchases: English
- Reporting Changes To Keep Your Benefits: English
- Online Food Purchase Location Information: English
- Important Information Regarding the Public Charge Rule Change: English
- Monthly Income Limits: English
- EBT Online Frequently Asked Questions: English
- FAQ CalFresh Brochure: English
- CalFresh Allotments & Income Reporting Threshold: English
CalFresh Updates
Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), Hot Food Waiver, is effective immediately and would essentially expand this program to all CalFresh households on temporary basis due to the wildfires in southern California through February 8, 2025. Find restaurants that are participating on the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program here: cdss.ca.gov/RMP
CalFresh recipients that have been impacted by Public Safety Power Shutoff or disaster: Beginning on January 8th, 2025, Public Safety Power Outage events occurred in and around the Lebec area of Kern County, affecting thousands of homes. As of January 16th, the majority of power outages in Kern County have been restored. The CalFresh replacement policy requires households to report a household misfortune and request a replacement within ten days from the date of food loss. For disaster-related incidents occurring on or after January 8th, 2025, including the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, this time has been extended through February 6th, 2025. Please call 1-877-410-8812.
Protect Your Benefits
- Protect your Benefits: Chinese
- Protect your Benefits: Vietnamese
- Protect your Benefits: Tagalog
- Protect your Benefits: Russian