Weekly Budget Meal Tips

Tips on How to Live and Eat Healthy on a Budget
How to live your healthiest life when you're broke AF (or just on a budget).  No one wants to have to choose between balanced meals, exercising and enough cash to pay the bills. Lucky for you, EatingWell has tips and tricks to help you save some coin, all while you're living your best life. Click here for the 411!

​CalFresh provides nutrition assistance to people with low income.  It can buy nutritious foods for a better diet.

CalFresh will stretch your food dollars.  You can buy more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods for the whole family.

You may apply:
  • In person here at RCMS or at a local county human services office. Call Harm at 707-882-2189 x 124 to make an appoinment at an RCMS facility
  • In the mail or by fax
  • Online at www.benefitscal.org
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Eating more fruits an vegetables each day can help you and your family stay healthy.
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The Golden State Advantage Card
If you qualify for CalFresh you will:
  • Get a plastic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and your Personal Identification Number (PIN).  Your CalFresh benefits will be added to your account each month. 
  • Shop at any grocery store or farmer’s market authorized to accept EBT cards. (Most Framer’s markets on the coast do not accept EBT cards).
  • Swipe you EBT card like an ATM card, in the ATM/debit/credit card machine at the checkout.
  • Enter your PIN.  The amount you spend will be taken from your CalFresh account.
  • Enjoy healthy nutritious food for you and your family, and better food for better living!

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What should I have when I apply?
  • Identification – You may bring a driver’s license and ID card, or a health card or other ID document.
  • Social Security Numbers – Be ready to give your number and a number for all those persons whom you are applying, if they have one.
  • For non-U.S. citizens – Bring a resident alien card or other proof of immigration status.
You may also need these:
  • Proof of income – Bring pay stubs, child support orders, and benefit statements.
  • Proof of expenses – Bring rent receipt or mortgage statement, utility bills (telephone, heat, gas, electricity, water, sewage, garbage), child care receipts, child support payments, and proof of other expenses.
How much money can I have and still get CalFresh?
You can:
  • Earn money from a job.
  • Get unemployment benefits.
  • Get general assistance/relief.
  • Get child support.
  • Be a part of CalWORKs.
  • Get disability benefits.
  • Have money in savings.
  • Own certain retirement accounts.
  • Have certain education savings accounts.
Refer to the income guideline at: www.calfresh.ca.gov/res/pdf/incomeguideline.pdf
​How much CalFresh will I receive each month?
  • The amount you get depends on your income, expenses, and family size.
  • Most households that receive CalFresh get more than $200 each month.
  • If you are disabled or an elderly person (over 60 years old) tell a county worker.  The income guideline table may not apply to you.  You can earn more money and be eligible. 
How long will it take to get CalFresh?
  • If eligible, you will get your CalFresh within 30 days.

What about things I own?
When you apply for CalFresh you may own a house, have cars, and still qualify.  Ask a county worker for more information.  
Immigration
If you get CalFresh it will not count against you when you apply to become a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.

I am an immigrant.  Can my children and I apply for CalFresh?
Yes!  All children born in the U.S. can get CalFresh if they qualify, no matter where their parents were born.  Parents may qualify if they have a valid social security number and meet certain guidelines.  Parents who do not qualify themselves should apply for their children born in the U.S.
*If you need help enrolling in CalFresh, or any other healthcare program, bi-lingual staff members are available at all clinic locations.

40 Year History of the Program