Notice for CalFresh Recipients: Renew Your Benefits On Time in March 2025

If you live in California and get help buying food through CalFresh—California's version of the national food aid program called SNAP—it's time to pay attention to the rules about keeping your benefits coming without a break.

CalFresh is managed by the California Department of Social Services. They send money for food onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that you can use like a debit card at lots of grocery stores and farmers' markets.

To keep getting your CalFresh benefits, there's something you've got to do every now and then: recertify. That means you have to fill out some forms and do an interview to show you're still eligible, especially if your financial situation has changed.

If you don't recertify by the deadline, you might stop getting this important help to buy your food.
 

So when is the deadline in March 2025?

You're supposed to recertify by the fifth day of the last month before your current benefits period ends. Let's say your benefits are good through April 10, 2025. In that case, you need to recertify by March 10, 2025, so that there's no gap in your food assistance.

How often you need to recertify depends on your household. Most people need to do it every year, but if a house has older people or someone with a disability, they might have more time—up to two or three years between recertifications.

It's easier now to keep getting your benefits without interruption, thanks to some recent policy changes. For example, they got rid of some old rules that used to limit how long you could get help. These new rules also match changes at the federal level to ensure the people who need help can get it.

But remember, you've got to recertify with correct and recent details about you and your household. You can do this in person, by mail, or online, and some places in California even let you send your information digitally, which is faster.
 

What if you're late or forget to recertify?

It's simple: recertify before your current benefits run out. If you miss the deadline, you might see a stop in your benefits. And if you're more than 30 days late, you'll be starting from scratch—you'll need to apply all over again.

Read more: Food Stamp Renewal Deadline in March 2025

-

Subscribe to secure your food stamps and learn more about this government benefit