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Your county handles applications, interviews, and benefit decisions. Use this tool to find your local county office.
- This information is current as of December 31, 2025.
A CalFresh guide for immigrants
We created this guide with trusted nonprofit and government partners to answer common questions immigrants may have before applying for CalFresh.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. If you have any questions about your specific situation, contact legal aid.
You can’t apply on this website. When you’re ready, visit BenefitsCal to apply.
- Free, anonymous immigration tool
- For more information about immigration and public benefits, visit keepyourbenefits.org.
- You’ll be able to use the free immigration screening tool from the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.
- You’ll answer a few general questions and get personalized information.
- The tool will not ask you for personal information.
Most people want to know
Who can get CalFresh?
Effective April 1, 2026, certain immigrants can get CalFresh. People can qualify if they fall within one of the following categories:
- U.S. citizens
- Noncitizen U.S. nationals
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
- Cuban or Haitian Entrants (CHEs)
- Citizens of Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau, also known as Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens
A person does not qualify for CalFresh if they fall within one of the following categories:
- Asylees
- Refugees
- Parolees (unless they are CHEs)
- Individuals with deportation or removal withheld
- Conditional entrants
- Survivors of human trafficking
- Battered noncitizens
- Certain Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023
- Certain Ukrainian Nationals granted parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024
- Student, work, or tourist visas
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
- People who do not have a current and eligible immigration status
If you don’t see your immigration status listed above, talk to a local expert on public benefits and immigration.
What if some people in my household qualify and others don't?
Many households have some people who qualify and some who don’t.
Even if you can’t get benefits, you can still apply for people in your household who can, like eligible noncitizens and U.S.-born children. You can still apply for CalFresh even if someone in your family doesn’t have an eligible immigration status.
If you are not sure whether you or someone in your household qualifies, contact your local CalFresh office.
Here are a few helpful things to know:
- Parents without an eligible immigration status often apply for their eligible children.
- When you apply for CalFresh, answer all questions truthfully, including information about your immigration situation.
- You do not have to provide proof of immigration status for anyone who is not applying for benefits.
- You must include all household members, including those who don’t qualify for CalFresh, and their income and resources on the application. This helps your county worker determine your benefit eligibility.
Am I eligible for benefits if I don’t have a current, eligible immigration status?
No, people cannot get CalFresh if they don’t have a current, valid immigration status. But if someone in your household does have an eligible immigration status, you can apply for them.
For example, some people apply for their U.S.-born children.
You can also contact your local food bank to find food help near you.
Does getting CalFresh affect my ability to get citizenship or a green card?
Public charge rules can change.
Right now, for many people, getting CalFresh does not affect their ability to change immigration status. But every situation is different.
If you have questions, talk to an immigration lawyer or a trusted legal aid group. Learn more about public charge rules.
Am I eligible for benefits if I just got my green card?
You may be immediately eligible for CalFresh if all of the following apply:
- You have a green card
- You are exempt from the 5-year waiting period
- You meet all other CalFresh eligibility requirements
You may qualify for a 5-year waiting period exemption if you had one of the following statuses when you received your green card:
- Noncitizens admitted to the U.S. as refugees
- Noncitizens granted asylum
- Noncitizens whose deportations were withheld
- Cuban and Haitian entrants (eligible as CHEs before becoming LPRs)
- Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau, also known as COFA
- Iraqis and Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
- Certain Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023
- Certain Ukrainian Nationals granted parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024
- Noncitizens admitted to the United States as Amerasian immigrants
- Survivors of human trafficking
You may also qualify for a 5-year waiting period exemption if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Are under 18 years old
- Have 40 qualifying work quarters
- Are blind or disabled
- Were lawfully residing in the U.S. and 65 or older on August 22, 1996
- Have a U.S. military connection
- Are an American Indian born abroad
- Certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members
What happens after I submit my application?
Once you apply, your local CalFresh office will contact you to set up an interview. They may contact you by phone, mail, or email.
You must complete this interview to receive CalFresh benefits.
A county worker will review your application, ask questions if needed, and let you know if you need to bring, send, or upload documents.
Most interviews happen over the phone, but you can also ask for an in-person interview. Tell your county worker if:
- You need extra help completing your application
- You need accommodations because of a disability
- You need an interpreter
How will my personal information be used?
If you apply for benefits for someone else in your household but not yourself, you do not have to share your own immigration status.
CalFresh uses your information to decide if you qualify for benefits. In some cases, CalFresh may share information with other government agencies to confirm eligibility.
Your personal information is protected by privacy laws. Learn more here.
I need more information
Learn more about applying for CalFresh and other benefits as an immigrant at keepyourbenefits.org.
Many organizations offer help to learn about public benefits and immigration. Find a legal aid organization near you.
Have more questions? Reach out to our support team.
Ready to apply?
Need help before applying?
If you have questions about documents, the interview, or your specific situation, our CalFresh team can help.
