EBT Benefits SNAP 2025

CalFresh payments in December
2023-12-10

CalFresh payments will be made between December 1 and December 10, so unused November benefits will automatically carry over to the following month

California residents are about to receive their CalFresh benefits for the month of December. The last digit of each beneficiary's case number determines when benefits will be loaded onto EBT cards. Jennifer from BSEB MATRIC also explains how "household size, a number of income-related criteria, and other factors affect the amount sent."

When will Californians receive CalFresh in December

As previously stated, the last digit will dictate when the benefits will be transferred.

  • Last digit 1: payment on Dec 1st
  • Last digit 2: payment on Dec 2nd
  • Last digit 3: payment on Dec 3rd
  • Last digit 4: payment on Dec 4th
  • Last digit 5: payment on Dec 5th
  • Last digit 6: payment on Dec 6th
  • Last digit 7: payment on Dec 7th
  • Last digit 8: payment on Dec 8th
  • Last digit 9: payment on Dec 9th
  • Last digit 0: payment on Dec 10th

Differences between CalFresh & SNAP 

SNAP and CalFresh are very similar programs, both have the same goal to help low-income families afford nutritious foods. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the federally named and mandated program that operates in all states and is regulated by the USDA while CalFresh is state-supervised and is operated by the counties and was created to meet specific needs of Californians. 

  • While SNAP participants receive their benefits on a biweekly process; CalFresh issues their benefits on a monthly basis.
  • SNAP benefits may only be used to buy unprepared foods from farmers markets and grocery stores. CalFresh benefits may be used to buy prepared foods from chosen participating restaurants.
  • CalFresh recipients have the option to get additional benefits through the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP provides food benefits to legal non-citizens who do not qualify for SNAP because of their immigration status).

What can be purchased with CalFresh?

Identical to SNAP, CalFresh benefits may be put towards items such as: fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads & cereals, snack like foods, non-alcoholic beverages and seeds & plants to produce food for the household.

Both programs also have the same restricted items such as: beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, hot foods, foods that will be eaten in the store, and any nonfood items such as: pet foods, soaps, paper products and household supplies.

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