California will start sending out SNAP payouts next week, with a long-awaited change. Residents of the state will start getting benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or CalFresh, in October. These benefits will go up because of the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
Every year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) puts out this update to help families keep their buying power as the prices of basic goods, especially food, rise. With the 2025 COLA, SNAP payouts will go up by a small but noticeable amount.
New SNAP payments in California with the 2025 COLA
People on their own will get an extra $1 a month, and families with up to eight people will get up to $5 more. This small rise may not seem like much, but it shows that the government is still trying to help families in need during these tough times.
In California, SNAP funds are given out based on the case number of each recipient. This method makes sure that the release is organized and spread out over the first 10 days of every month. In October, the following is how the payment plan will work:
- Case numbers ending in 1 will receive their payment on October 1.
- Those ending in 2 will get their payment on October 2, and so on, until October 10, when case numbers ending in 0 will receive their benefits.
The state makes sure there are no delays or jams in the system by spreading out the payments in this way. This way, everyone gets their money on time. The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is the main way that these funds are deposited. The funds can be spent right away at CalFresh stores that accept them.
New SNAP amounts in California with the 2025 COLA
Families in California will get more money starting October 1, 2024, because of the COLA raise. Here is a list of the new monthly benefit amounts for different types of households:
- One person: $292 per month
- Two people: $536 per month
- Three people: $768 per month
- Four people: $975 per month
- Five people: $1,158 per month
- Six people: $1,390 per month
- Seven people: $1,536 per month
- Eight people: $1,756 per month
Because of the rising cost of food and other basic needs, these changes have been made. The price hikes may not seem like much, but for many families, they’re a big deal that helps them make ends meet every month.
What is COLA and why is it important for SNAP?
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is based on the Consumer Price Index, which tracks how much the prices of basic goods and services have gone up over time. The federal government makes this change to programs like SNAP every year to make sure that people who depend on them don’t lose their buying power when prices go up.
The 2025 COLA is not one of the biggest raises in the history of the program, but it is still an important way to help families who need it the most. As food costs keep going up, this change is very important to make sure that low-income families can still buy healthy foods and meet their basic needs.
How to use CalFresh benefits
People in California who get SNAP benefits mostly use their EBT cards to get their CalFresh benefits. This card is a lot like a debit card and can be used at many grocery shops across the state that accept it. Fresh fruits and veggies, meats, dairy products, and other necessary food items can be bought with an EBT card.
But it’s important to remember that CalFresh doesn’t cover everything. Products like booze, tobacco, and ready-to-eat meals that are meant to be eaten on-site are not allowed. Still, many local farmers’ markets take EBT cards, so people with them can buy fresh food straight from local growers.
Who can apply for SNAP in California?
People and families who meet certain income and financial standards can get SNAP, which is called CalFresh in California. People from low-income families who are having a hard time meeting their basic needs, like food, can ask for these benefits.
Also, families who are already registered in the program don’t have to do anything extra to get the COLA adjustment; it will be made automatically starting October 1.
If you are not already a recipient, you can apply online at the site for the California government or in person at your local CalFresh office. After you fill out an application, your family situation, income, and costs will be looked at by the government to decide how much help you can get.
The application process is meant to be easy, but to avoid delays, it’s important to give correct and up-to-date information. If you are approved, you will get your benefits through an EBT card. The amount you get will change every year as long as you are qualified.
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