Food stamps: Direct California SNAP payment worth up to $1,691 to be sent in five days
September 26, 2023 02:07 PM
California is slated to send out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments for the month of October in five days, supporting qualifying low-income households with grocery purchases.
California residents who receive SNAP aid, or food stamps, can see benefits up to $1,691. The federal program, known under the name CalFresh in the Golden State, begins issuing payments on the first of the month and ends Oct. 10. Payments will be distributed depending on the recipient’s case number.
For example, if a case number ends in one, California recipients can expect to see their CalFresh benefits on Oct. 1. If a case number ends in two, CalFresh benefits will be available on Oct. 2. The payment dates continue until Oct. 10, when those with a case number ending in zero will receive their payment.
The amount of SNAP benefits households get depends on multiple factors, including household size, income limits, and additional assets. The average payment in California per eligible recipient is $196 a month. The maximum payment for a household of one each month is $281. The maximum SNAP amount for a household of four is $939, and the maximum amount for a household of eight is $1,691. For each household member past eight, the CalFresh program adds up to $211.
For most California households, monthly gross income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. For a family of one, there’s a monthly income limit of $1,473. A household of three’s limit is $2,495, and a household of six’s limit is $4,029.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Recipients can access their benefits through an electronic benefit transfer card, which works similarly to a debit card and can be used at grocery stores to purchase eligible food products such as fruits, vegetables, bread, meat and poultry, and drinks. SNAP benefits are barred from being used for products such as pet food, alcohol, and household items, such as paper and soap.
Around 13% of California’s population receives assistance from SNAP, amounting to nearly 5 million Californians each month, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.