Additional Funds Beyond CalFresh (SNAP) – $120 Checks Available

CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), plays a vital role in providing monthly financial assistance to eligible low-income residents. This program ensures that these individuals can purchase nutritious food, thereby promoting better health and well-being. As September approaches, CalFresh recipients are keen to know when their payments will be distributed, allowing them to effectively plan their grocery shopping for the entire month.

CalFresh Payments

CalFresh benefits are distributed through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions similarly to a debit card. Recipients can use these cards at participating grocery stores and farmers’ markets to purchase food. The timing of when these benefits are loaded onto the EBT card depends on the recipient’s case number, specifically the last digit.

CalFresh Payment Schedule

CalFresh benefits are distributed over the first ten days of each month, with the specific day determined by the last digit of the recipient’s case number. Here’s how the distribution schedule works:

• Case number ends in ‘1’ – Benefits loaded on the 1st
• Case number ends in ‘2’ – Benefits loaded on the 2nd
• Case number ends in ‘3’ – Benefits loaded on the 3rd
• And so on, up to the 10th day of the month.

This predictable schedule helps recipients plan their grocery shopping, ensuring that they have access to food throughout the month.

SUN Bucks

In addition to CalFresh, California has introduced a new initiative called SUN Bucks, aimed at addressing food insecurity among children during the summer months. This program is a direct result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which Congress passed in December 2022.

How SUN Bucks Works

The SUN Bucks program provides $120 per child, distributed as $40 per month over the summer, when schools are typically closed. This financial assistance is crucial for children who rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition during the academic year. SUN Bucks ensures that these children continue to receive the nourishment they need, even when they are not in school.

Eligibility and Enrollment

Enrollment in the SUN Bucks program is automatic for children who meet specific criteria, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are covered without additional bureaucratic hurdles. Children eligible for SUN Bucks include those who:

• Qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application.
• Have completed an alternative income form.
• Are enrolled in programs such as CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal.

By automatically enrolling eligible children, the program effectively reaches those in need, providing them with critical support during the summer months.

Governor Newsom’s Commitment

Governor Gavin Newsom has emphasized the importance of combating food insecurity, particularly among children in low-income families. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is spearheading the SUN Bucks initiative, reflecting a strong commitment to ensuring that no child goes hungry, especially during the summer when access to school meals is not available.

This initiative, along with the ongoing support provided by CalFresh, represents a comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity in California. By combining these programs, the state is making significant strides in ensuring that all residents, particularly children, have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.

As California continues to tackle food insecurity through programs like CalFresh and SUN Bucks, the importance of these initiatives cannot be overstated. CalFresh recipients can now plan their grocery shopping more effectively by knowing the payment schedule, while the introduction of SUN Bucks provides crucial summer support to children who rely on school meals. These efforts, backed by Governor Newsom and the CDSS, highlight a strong commitment to ensuring that every Californian has access to healthy, nutritious food.

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