Millions of Americans rely on food stamps, now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), to buy groceries every month.
But many people in California may not know there’s a way to double the value of these benefits – thanks to a special program that boosts the amount you can spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re living in California and getting SNAP benefits, you might be missing out on a great opportunity called Double Up Food Bucks.
Let’s break down how it works, who can get it, and how much more food it can bring to your home.
What Is CalFresh and How Does It Work?
In California, SNAP benefits are called CalFresh. It works the same way as food stamps in other states. The state gives money to low-income families each month to help them buy food. This ensures that everyone, especially children and older people, can have enough to eat.
CalFresh benefits are added to an EBT card (like a debit card) during the first 10 days of every month. The exact day depends on the last digit of your case number:
If your number ends in 1, you’ll receive benefits on May 1.
If it ends in 2, on May 2.
And so on, until those ending in 0 get theirs on May 10.
This system continues each month in the same order.
Who Can Qualify for CalFresh?
To get CalFresh benefits, you must meet some basic conditions:
You must live in California.
You need to be a US citizen or a legal resident (some non-citizens also qualify).
Your income must be within the federal poverty limits.
If you’re aged 18 to 52 and have no dependents, you might need to work or attend job training for at least 20 hours a week. But there are some exceptions to this rule until January 2027.
These benefits are mainly meant to help those who are struggling financially but still want to provide healthy food for their families.
What Is Double Up Food Bucks?
This is where things get interesting.
Double Up Food Bucks is a bonus program available in California. If you receive CalFresh benefits, this program allows you to double the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables you can buy — but only if the produce is grown in California and you shop at a participating market or grocery store.
Here’s how it works:
If you use your EBT card to buy $10 worth of local fruits or vegetables, you will get an extra $10 coupon to buy more fresh produce — all for free. That means you spend $10 and walk away with $20 worth of healthy food.
There’s no extra registration needed. Just use your EBT card at stores or farmers markets that participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program. To find locations near you, you can visit the official Double Up Food Bucks California website.
Monthly SNAP Benefit Amounts by Household Size
The amount of money you get from SNAP/CalFresh depends on how many people are in your household. Here’s the current monthly benefit chart:
1 person: $292
2 people: $536
3 people: $768
4 people: $975
5 people: $1,155
6 people: $1,386
7 people: $1,532
8 people: $1,756
These amounts can go further when combined with Double Up Food Bucks. So, even if your monthly SNAP payment is limited, you can still get more healthy food by using this special program.
Why This Program Matters Right Now
As the US continues to recover from years of high inflation, food prices remain a challenge for many families. With prices rising, even basic grocery shopping has become stressful. That’s why programs like Double Up Food Bucks are so important. They not only help stretch your SNAP dollars but also encourage healthier eating by supporting fresh, local produce.
Plus, when you shop local, you support farmers in your own state. It’s a win-win situation for families and communities alike.
