Managing your budget effectively while receiving SNAP benefits in California requires knowing when your EBT card will be loaded with food stamps money. Since you’re waiting for your cash to arrive, here’s all you need to know about payment dates and a couple new things to know regarding the program.
In California, where the program is known as CalFresh, the landscape of SNAP benefits is extensive, with a staggering 3,020,493 households currently benefiting from this program. Furthermore, the United States Department of Agriculture (SDA) data indicates that as of June 2023, approximately 5,265,551 Californians were receiving these essential benefits.
California Food Stamps Payment Schedule for October 2023
The issuance of CalFresh benefits, or SNAP benefits, follows a regular monthly schedule, but the specific payment date can vary depending on the recipient’s case number. Here’s how the payment dates are typically determined:
- Ending in 1 on Sunday, October 1
- ending in 2 on Monday, October 2
- ending in 3 on Tuesday, October 3
- ending in 4 on Wednesday, October 4
- ending in 5 on Thursday, October 5
- ending in 6 on Friday, October 6
- ending in 7 on Saturday, October 7
- ending in 8 on Sunday, October 8
- ending in 9 on Monday, October 9
- and ending in 0 on Tuesday, October 10.
Maximum CalFresh Payments You Could Claim from October 2023
As you may know, the SNAP and CalFresh benefits increased from October 1, 2023, and the values payable to beneficiaries will remain in force until September 30, 2024, when the USDA and other federal agencies will make a new assessment of the cost of living and inflation, to increase the payments once again.
| Your SNAP/CalFresh payments from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $219 |
Will the Government Shutdown Cut My CalFresh Payments?
A government shutdown is a situation in which the federal government of the United States temporarily stops its operations due to a lack of funding. This typically occurs when Congress fails to pass a budget or a continuing resolution to fund government agencies and programs.
During a government shutdown, federal employees may be furloughed or asked to work without pay, and many government services and programs may be disrupted or put on hold. In the event of a government shutdown, some essential services, such as nutrition assistance programs like CalFresh, continue to operate smoothly.
To address this, the USDA has taken proactive steps in preparation for a potential government shutdown in October 2023, The USDA has made a commitment to disburse CalFresh benefits for that month in advance, during September 2023. This means that eligible individuals and families who rely on CalFresh can rest assured that their benefits for October 2023 will be distributed on time, despite the government shutdown.