CalFresh(food stamps): Myths & Facts

MYTH: CalFresh is welfare. FACT: CalFresh is a U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition program, not a welfare program. It is intended to help people buy nutritious food for good health. MYTH: My children will be drafted into the military in order to repay CalFresh. My children might be taken away from me. My children won’t be able to get financial aid for college. Fact: Neither you nor your children will have to repay your CalFresh. Your children will not be drafted into the military because of CalFresh or other benefits received. Your children will not be taken away from you if you apply for CalFresh. CalFresh will have no impact on whether your children can get financial aid for college. CalFresh can help ensure that your children get enough to eat. MYTH: Only those that are unemployed can get CalFresh. FACT: Anyone who meets the income limits may be eligible for CalFresh, regardless of whether they are working or not. MYTH: If I get CalFresh my kids will not be able to get free or reduced price lunch at school and I will not be able to get WIC if I get CalFresh. Fact: You can get WIC and free or reduced price lunch in addition to CalFresh, to help ensure that you and your family can be healthy and productive. MYTH: You can’t get CalFresh if you are receiving unemployment benefits. FACT: People who receive unemployment may still qualify for CalFresh benefits, if they meet the income guidelines. MYTH: We own vehicles and/or our home, so we won’t be eligible. FACT: It does not matter how many vehicles you own or what their value is. All vehicles are exempt, including cars, boats, RV’s, etc. In addition, if you own the home in which you live, its value is not counted toward eligibility determination.

MYTH: If you are an immigrant, you can’t get CalFresh. FACT: You must be a naturalized citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, or U.S. citizen in order to receive CalFresh. If parents are undocumented, but there are documented children in the household, the parents may safely apply for their documented children. No information is shared with ICE/FBI/Law Enforcement. Undocumented parents or household members must leave their Social Security Numbers blank. These numbers will be checked, and a false number can result in negative consequences. Only fill in a Social Security Number for children or household members who have valid numbers.

MYTH: “I have some money in a bank account, so I won’t be eligible.” FACT: You can have money in your bank account. Please check on current limits. Some households can have more in the bank than others. It is ok to have registered retirement accounts such as IRA’s, 401K’s, pensions, and education accounts like 529’s. MYTH: You can’t apply for Calfresh if you don’t speak English. FACT: Anyone can apply for CalFresh. Local CalFresh offices and www.c4yourself.com have applications in many languages. The Department of Health & Human Services also has a language line service available to translate for all applicants. In addition, interpreters may also be made available to clients on site, if needed. Call 1-877-410-8809. MYTH: You must have housing and a mailing address to get CalFresh. FACT: You do not have to have a mailing address or have housing to receive CalFresh. The CalFresh office cannot make someone who is homeless give a mailing address if they do not have one. Those that are homeless can receive benefits even if they have no fixed mailing address or home. MYTH: You need a photo ID to get CalFresh. FACT: You need proof of identity. A photo ID is one way to prove identity. You cannot be turned down for CalFresh benefits because you do not have photo ID. You can use another ID like a work or school badge, a health benefits card, an ID from another social service, a pay stub, a utility or rent receipt, a birth certificate, or a voter registration card.

For more information about CalFresh or to apply call Food for People @ (707) 445-3166

or the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services @1-877-410-8809.