Mayor London Breed has announced that San Francisco has implemented an expansion of the CalFresh food assistance program to alleviate hunger for thousands living on low and fixed incomes. For the first time, 41,000 seniors and people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) benefits are eligible for CalFresh.

CalFresh benefits supplement household budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including vegetables, fruits, and other healthy options. The benefit amount depends on household income, and can range up to $192 per person each month. All newly eligible San Franciscans are encouraged to apply for benefits, and applying for CalFresh will not change or reduce their existing SSI/SSP benefits.

“CalFresh is our first line of defense against hunger for our city’s residents, and everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food,” said Breed. “This new expansion of the CalFresh program will help more of our seniors and people with disabilities purchase the food they need to live healthy lives.”

“Each day in our communities, too many people are sacrificing buying nutritious foods to cover expenses like rent and medicine,” said Anni Chung, President and Chief Executive Officer of Self-Help for the Elderly. “CalFresh gives more freedom to people with limited incomes to buy what they need to live healthier lifestyles.”

The San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA) will support the influx of new CalFresh applicants through expanded community outreach efforts and eligibility enrollment staff. In the coming months, HSA will offer enrollment events and application assistance training to community organizations, housing and health care providers that serve people  who receive SSI. For more information, visit: http://www.SFHSA.org/Calfresh

How to Apply for CalFresh

There are three ways to connect with the San Francisco Human Services Agency to apply for CalFresh:

Online: Visit www.GetCalFresh.org

By Phone: Start your application by calling (415) 558-4700

In Person: Come in to an HSA service center in San Francisco, open Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm:

· 1235 Mission St.

· 1440 Harrison St.

· 2 Gough St.

Providing support to complete an application online is the most convenient way for community partners, caregivers and families to help SSI recipients apply for and receive CalFresh benefits.

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