FAQ’s
CalFresh (aka SNAP, EBT, Food Stamps)
- What is the latest status of CalFresh/SNAP benefits? Will I receive my November benefits?
- EBT issuances for CalFresh households scheduled for Days 1–7 have been successfully loaded onto your EBT cards. Issuances for Days 8–10 will be distributed to you as regularly scheduled. For newly approved and enrolled CalFresh households, 100% of your benefits will continue to be issued until further notice. Several court actions pending may still impact CalFresh, however, the County of San Diego will continue to closely monitor developments and share new information as it becomes available.
- Will I receive my CalFresh benefits for October 2025?
- Yes. Your CalFresh benefits for October 2025 and prior months are not impacted. You should have received your benefits as scheduled.
- Will I be able to use the CalFresh benefits on my EBT card in November 2025?
- As of now, you will be able to use your EBT card with your existing benefits as usual through the federal government shutdown.
- What if I am due to complete my SAR 7 or renew my CalFresh benefits in November and I haven’t sent in my completed forms yet?
- Please continue to submit all required forms and your recertification as normal. However, there may be processing delays due to the continued federal government shutdown.
- My application was submitted for processing. Do I need to re-apply?
- No action is required from you at this time.
- Continue using your existing EBT card and your current balance as normal.
- You can check your balance using the ebtEDGE app or by calling the number on the back of your EBT card.
- Continue to follow all program rules, including submitting recertifications or verifications as required. Eligibility rules have NOT changed.
- Can I request a state hearing if my CalFresh benefits are delayed due to the federal government shutdown?
- Judges are unable to start or restart November benefits at this time because the federal government shutdown has delayed funding. Therefore, requesting a hearing will not restart CalFresh benefits.
- I just applied. Will I get my November benefits with my October benefits?
- No. Normally, new applicants in the second half of October get a combined benefit for both October and November. However, due to the federal directive, your November benefits will be held (delayed) even if your application is approved. You will receive your prorated October benefits first.
- How will I be updated on the status of my benefits?
- The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is sending direct updates to ongoing CalFresh households via text and email (if an email address is on file). These messages began on October 20th. The County of San Diego is also providing updates.
- If my CalFresh is delayed, where can I find food for my family?
- Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained specialist, 24/7, who can connect you with local food pantries, meal programs, and other essential services. 2-1-1 is available in multiple languages.
- Visit these webpages to review resources using our online database:
- All Resources (search the 211 San Diego Resource Database for anything you need)
- How are CalFresh Benefits funded?
- CalFresh benefits are 100 percent federally funded, and CalFresh administrative costs are split between the federal government and states.
- Is the County still processing applications?
- Yes. To ensure service continues when funding is restored, all County offices are still processing new applications and recertifications, including expedited service, according to normal timelines. Eligibility rules and requirements for verification have NOT changed.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- What is the WIC Program?
- WIC provides free, healthy foods and personalized nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other services.
- Will my WIC food benefits stop during the government shutdown?
- No. Continue to use your food benefits at WIC authorized stores as you normally would unless your local WIC office tells you otherwise.
- Use the free California WIC App to check your food balance.
- If you have questions about your WIC foods, you can:
- Will benefits be impacted in November or future months?
- While reports from major news outlets state that WIC benefits will remain available through the end of November 2025, no official memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has provided yet.
- Should I take any action?
- Continue to use your WIC benefits. Use your WIC food benefits at WIC-authorized stores as usual. Your WIC food benefits can help you stretch your food dollars.
- Keep attending your WIC appointments. Families should continue attending their scheduled WIC appointments. WIC will continue to help you get healthy foods, nutrition tips, breastfeeding support, and referrals.
- Stay in contact with your WIC office. Your local WIC office can offer you support and guidance.
FREE Student Breakfast and Lunch
- What is the free school breakfast and lunch program?
- Every public and charter school in California must offer one free breakfast and one free lunch to any student who asks for it. This is a rule from a California state law called the Universal Meals Program (also called “School Meals for All”). Meals must be consumed on campus and cannot be taken to go. The funding for this program is safe and is not impacted by delays in federal funding.
- Who is eligible for free meals?
- ALL students—from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade—who attend a public school or charter school in California are eligible. Your income does not matter.
- If my CalFresh is delayed, will my child still get free school meals?
- YES. Even if there are delays or interruptions with federal programs like CalFresh, the state law makes sure your child will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch every day they are at school.
- Do I need CalFresh benefits to get the free meals?
- NO. Free meals are available to every student in public schools, no matter the income your family earns, your CalFresh status, or what is happening with federal funding.
- Can my child take their meal to go?
- No. Meals must be consumed on campus and cannot be taken to go.
- Does my child have to sign up or use a special code to eat for free?
- Your child just goes to the cafeteria or meal service line and asks for a meal. They do not need to show an ID, sign up, or pay for anything to eat.
- Tip for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers: Even though no sign-up is needed, it helps the school prepare the correct number of meals if you let the school office or your child’s charter school know as soon as possible that your child will be eating free breakfast and/or lunch.
- Should I still fill out the meal application form?
- YES, absolutely! This is one of the most important actions you can take for your family and your school.
- Filling out the form helps because:
- It helps your family. If you qualify, your family will automatically get the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) food card for summer break, and you may qualify for discounts on things like utility bills and Internet service.
- It saves more funding for the school. The number of qualifying applications helps the district get the maximum money for classrooms, teachers, and other programs.
- How do I submit a form for my child to receive a free breakfast and/or lunch at school?
- The best way to apply is to visit your school district’s official website and search for the Meal Application or Household Income Form.
- If you can’t find it online, call or visit your school’s office and ask them for the application.
- Do I need to submit an application for each of my children?
- You only need to submit one application for your whole household. List all the children who live with you and attend schools within that district on that one application. This information will always be confidential and protected.
Other Food Programs
- Are other food benefits impacted?
- California Food Assistance Program (CFAP): The state-funded California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) benefits for November 2025 will be delayed because the system used to issue them is tied to the federal CalFresh system.
- State-funded benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) and Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB) are not impacted and will be processed normally.
Want to Help? Donate Today!
Donate Funds
Donate today to support our partners in purchasing essential food items and expand their programs addressing our community’s growing needs.
Donate Food Items
You can donate food items during hours of operation at specific donation drop-off sites. Our partners encourage you to donate items like canned chicken & tuna, dry & canned beans, cereal, rice, nuts & seeds, peanut butter, canned soup, canned & dried fruit, canned vegetables, powdered milk, and infant formula. Unfortunately, our partners cannot accept glass jars or homemade food products. Check out our partners’ webpages to learn more!
Host a Food Drive
Organizing a food drive is a great way to fight hunger and raise awareness. Each partner has their own process for hosting food drives. Check out their webpages to learn more!
Volunteer
If you have time to donate, you can dedicate your valuable time and energy to supporting food distribution across our region. Learn more about our partners’ volunteer opportunities by clicking below!
