Alameda County receives CalFresh update as state delays CFAP expansion and rolls out new summer benefit and EBT security tools

Roland Chow, a program specialist with the Alameda County Social Services Agency, briefed the county committee on July 22 on a range of CalFresh program updates, from benefit changes and student eligibility to fraud-prevention tools and caseload data.

Chow said the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) expansion 'originally scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2025' has been delayed by the revised governor's budget and will now be implemented on Oct. 1, 2027. "This expansion would have granted CFAP eligibility to all income-eligible Californians aged 55 or older, regardless of their immigration status," he said, adding the new timeline reflects budget changes at the state level.

The presentation highlighted a new summer benefit, Sun Bucks (SEBT), which began in June. Families automatically eligible because they receive CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal, or whose children attend participating schools and qualify for free or reduced-price meals, will receive $120 per eligible child for June through August (about $40 per month). Chow displayed a helpline number for families to appeal or apply: (877) 328-9677.

Chow said EBT theft has shown a downward trend since December 2023 and credited state and local efforts and new technology. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has launched EBT Edge, a web and mobile application that allows users to view transactions, change PINs, freeze/unfreeze cards and block out-of-state or online purchases. CDSS is also issuing chip-and-tap EBT cards in four waves beginning this summer; Chow cautioned some retailers have not yet upgraded terminals and, in those stores, users will still be able to swipe cards but not use the chip/tap feature.

On program rules, Chow reviewed updates to the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABOD) policy: the upper age defining ABODs will increase from 52 to 54 on Oct. 1, 2024, he said. ABODs remain subject to a rule that limits benefits to three full months in a 36-month period unless they meet an exemption, participate in employment-and-training programs, or live in an area under a waiver. Chow said California currently operates under a statewide ABOD waiver; based on recent labor data the waiver is likely to be extended through Oct. 31, 2025.

Chow also summarized CalFresh Employment & Training (ENT) partners and student eligibility. He described CDSS's monthly-maintained LPI (Local Program that Increases Employability) spreadsheet that eligibility workers use to verify graduate and other programs that qualify students for CalFresh exemptions.

On caseloads, Chow reported approximately 101,000 CalFresh cases in Alameda County serving an estimated 171,000 individuals (data current through June 30) and an average household monthly issuance of $293. Chow cautioned that a September 2023 data anomaly reflects the county's transition from the CalWIN to CalSAWS eligibility system and is under validation.

Supervisors pressed for clarifications during Q&A: the $293 figure reflects a household mean rather than a per-person benefit; the county does not distribute EBT cards at public events because of security concerns but partners with the Food Bank and a network of community-based organizations for outreach and application assistance; and the county is piloting or awaiting guidance on a minimum nutrition benefit intended to raise very low monthly issuances toward $50.

Chow committed to follow up with more detailed breakouts (age demographics, household-size averages) and with results from recent outreach events that offered CalFresh and Medi-Cal enrollment assistance.

The committee did not take action on the item; the presentation was informational and staff said they would return with additional data in a future meeting.