CalFresh

Beneficiaries, who meet federal income eligibility rules, receive an electronic benefit that can be used to purchase foods at many markets and stores.

The program is advertised to "help improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs."

The CDSS holds onto a portion of the reimbursements in order to fund a statewide hotline, develop materials, conduct trainings, and enhance outreach programs.

[1] Originally the Food Stamp Program was established by Henry Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture, in 1939 under the Roosevelt administration.

[2] Later on 31 January 1964, President Johnson proposed to Congress to pass legislation that would make the food stamp programs permanent.

CalFresh was originally designed to act as a "safety net" against hunger for low income Americans in the state of California.

This will change soon after the passage of Assembly Bill 135 which will increase access to CFAP benefits for all California residents aged 55 years or older, regardless of immigration status.

As part of large-scale federal welfare reform in 1996, many documented non-citizen immigrants in California lost their eligibility for food stamps through the CalFresh program.

The passage of Assembly Bill 135 is set to increase access to CFAP benefits for all California residents aged 55 years or older, regardless of immigration status.

[20] Fifty percent of funding is given by the USDA to pay for salaries, CalFresh outreach office expenses, approved costs necessary to run the program, along with reimbursement towards contractors.