You may apply for Food Stamps at your local Food Stamp office, Community and Faith-Based Organization, at various community outreach sites, and by mail through the Health and Nutrition Hotline 1(877) 597-4777. An Eligibility Worker will interview you and review you application.  S/he will then determine if you are eligible to Food Stamp benefits, and if so, to the amount you may be entitled each month.  The entire process must be completed in 30 days, but if you have an emergency situation, you can get Food Stamps in three days.  Be sure to tell your Eligibility Worker if you have an emergency and need your Food Stamps right away.

Food Stamp/Medi-Cal Outreach Eligibility Workers are now stationed at various non-traditional sites such as health clinics, food pantries, farmer’s markets, WIC sites, churches, and schools, where they accept and assist with Food Stamp and/or Medi-Cal applications.  Call the Health and Nutrition Hotline 1 (877) 597-4777 to find the non-traditional/outreach sites in your community.

The Department of Public Social Services has partnered with Community and Faith- Based Organizations (CBO/FBO), which assist Food Stamp applicants in completing the application, gathering all required documentation, and submitting the application and documents to the appropriate local Food Stamp office for eligibility determination. Click below for the listing of the CBO/FBO partners.

CBO/FBO Application Assistance Project Listing

Updated April 2008