CalFresh EBT emergency allotment 'Sun Bucks' coming back in 2025?

I'm pretty sure your cousin is misinformed. The emergency allotments (what some people called "sun bucks" or "extra bucks") were part of the pandemic response and officially ended in March 2023. CalFresh benefits returned to standard calculation methods based on household size, income, and expenses. I haven't seen any announcements about bringing back emergency allotments for 2025. What might be happening is the annual cost-of-living adjustment that usually happens in October, which slightly increases benefit amounts to account for inflation.

i dont think the sun bucks are coming back, my worker told me last week when i called about my SAR7 that theres nothing like that happening. but maybe your county is different? what county r u in? maybe its a pilot program or something

What your cousin might be referring to is the proposed California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) expansion that's been discussed for 2025, which would provide additional state-funded benefits to some households that don't currently qualify for the maximum federal benefit. It's not the same as the pandemic emergency allotments, and it won't affect everyone on CalFresh. There's also the normal October 1st benefit adjustment that happens every year based on the cost of food. For 2025, that's expected to increase benefits by about 3-4%, so a household getting $500 might see an extra $15-20 per month.

This system is RIDICULOUS!!! They give us extra when the whole country was getting stimulus checks and unemployment bonuses, then they YANK IT AWAY when inflation is at record highs and food costs 30% MORE than before!!! My family of 4 gets $650/month which barely lasts 3 weeks now. When are they going to understand people are STARVING because benefits don't match actual costs?!?! The so-called "adjustments" are A JOKE compared to real grocery prices!!

I actually heard something similar from someone at my son's school, but they were talking about a one-time supplement that might come through in early 2025, not a permanent return to emergency allotments. I've been trying to reach my county worker to verify but keep getting stuck in the phone system. After 45 minutes waiting yesterday, I got disconnected right when I was about to speak to someone! So frustrating when you're just trying to get accurate information about your benefits.

BTW my worker also said to make sure were all reporting any income changes on our SAR7 forms cuz they're doing more checks now. if u dont report everything u could get an overpayment notice and have to pay stuff back

Coming back to provide some accurate information: For 2025, what IS changing is that CalFresh will have a new "Standard Medical Deduction" option for elderly and disabled household members. If you have a disabled or elderly person in your household who spends more than $35 per month on medical expenses, you might qualify for higher benefits through this deduction. There's also going to be an increase in the standard utility allowance (SUA) which could help some households get more benefits if they pay for heating or cooling separately from rent. These aren't "emergency allotments" but they could result in benefit increases for certain households.

Does anyone remember how much the sun bucks actually were? I feel like my family got like an extra $400/month during covid but my friend says it was more like $200. I'm not good at keeping track of that stuff lol

my neighbor works for the calfresh office and she said theres nothing coming back like the covid bonuses. i think your cousin might have heard about the regular cola increase thats always in october. my benefits went up $12 last october whoop-de-doo lol