The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is about to arrive at the EBT cards of millions of low-income households in the United States. As we enter August 2023, beneficiaries may wonder if there are any additional benefits or surprises in store for them this month. In the Golden State, the SNAP system is referred to as CalFresh.
With the assistance it provides, eligible recipients can access nutritious food, enhance their dietary choices, and improve their overall well-being. SNAP operates in conjunction with state governments, and each state is responsible for managing the distribution of SNAP allowances. If you reside in the state of California, these are your payment days for August 2023.
The food stamps schedule in California for August 2023: Discover when you’ll get your money
The payment of SNAP benefits on EBT cards throughout the state of California, no matter which county you are in, is made according to the last digit of the case number. This way, you guarantee that you will always have the benefits on your card the same day, no matter what.
The deposits are reflected on your EBT card between the 1st and the 10th of each month, and are distributed in this way (last digit of the case number and payment date, respectively):
- 1: August 1
- 2 – August 2
- 3 – August 3
- 4 – August 4
- 5 – August 5
- 6 – August 6
- 7 – August 7
- 8 – August 8
- 9 – August 9
- 0 – August 10
The eligibility criteria for the SNAP CalFresh program in 2023
The CalFresh program is divided into several categories, depending on the needs and characteristics of the applying individual or household. If you’re already applying for CalWORKS or CAAP services, you can also apply for CalFresh as part of the same application process.
To determine eligibility for CalFresh, your gross monthly income (income before payroll deductions) must be equal to or below the amount specified in the eligibility table for your household size. Most types of income are considered when assessing a household’s eligibility. Generally, households must have a total gross monthly income that’s 200% or less of the federal poverty level to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.
For CalFresh purposes, gross monthly income refers to the total income of a household before allowable deductions are taken into account. Deductions are expenses subtracted from the gross monthly income to arrive at the net monthly income.
Even college students (aged 18 to 49) can qualify for CalFresh if they are enrolled at least half-time and meet certain conditions during the CalFresh interview:
- Working an average of 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.
- Approved for state or federal-funded work-study programs for the current period, or enrolled in programs like WIOA, EOPS, or other employability-enhancing initiatives.
- Enrolled full-time and a single parent responsible for a dependent child under 12 years old.
Take a quick trip to the official website, icaliforniafoodstamps.com, and discover if you qualify now.
The SNAP maximum amounts your household could claim this month
The maximum amounts that you can request per month at food stamps depend on the number of people that make up the household. The SNAP system has established this list of maximum amounts to be collected:
- 1 person: $281
- 2 people: $516
- 3 people: $740
- 4 people: $939
- 5 people: $1,116
- 6 people: $1,339
- 7 people: $1,480
- 8 people: $1,691
- Additional members: add +$211 for each one
These amounts apply to the 48 contiguous states and Washington DC, because for Hawaii and Alaska the values are different, which have been established according to the costs of living there.
These are the amounts that the SNAP system pays in Alaska, for an example family of four people:
- For urban households in Alaska with four members, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit amount stands at $1,172. This assistance is crucial in helping families put nutritious food on their tables, ensuring they have access to a balanced diet.
- In rural areas of Alaska, the situation differs slightly. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit increases to $1,819 for a family of four. This higher cap recognizes the additional challenges and higher costs associated with living in remote regions.