Weekly Healthy Meal Ideas

The Best Foods for Eating Well on a Budget
Find out which are the best, healthiest foods to buy when you're on a budget. With so many factors to consider—health, environmental impact, cost, taste—choosing healthy foods can seem like a mission impossible. Enter the Good Food on a Tight Budget guide from the Environmental Working Group presented by Eating Well.

​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