CalFresh for family without formal address - applying while staying with friend who doesn't want government connections

Yes, you can absolutely apply for CalFresh without a permanent address! This is a common situation and there are provisions for it. Here's what you need to know: 1. You CAN apply without a permanent address - CalFresh rules specifically allow for homeless applicants or those with unstable housing 2. You'll need to explain your living situation during the application process (staying with friend temporarily) 3. You'll need some way to receive mail - this could be a local post office, a homeless shelter address, or sometimes even general delivery 4. Your friend's income and resources won't count toward your household eligibility as long as you purchase and prepare food separately I recommend applying through BenefitsCal.com and selecting the option that best describes your living situation. During your interview, explain everything clearly to your caseworker.

when my brother lost his job he stayed with me for 3 months and still got his own calfresh. they sent him a special form about his living arangement and he had to explain how he buys food seprate from me. they approved him but it took extra time because of the address thing. so its deff posible! good luck.

This is a really common issue! The technical term for your situation is "homeless" according to CalFresh rules, even though you have a temporary roof over your head. I've worked with many clients in this exact situation. What you need to do is indicate on your application that you don't have a permanent residence. You can still list your friend's address for mailing purposes, or you can use a P.O. Box, general delivery at the post office, or even a local community organization or shelter address if they allow mail service. You'll qualify as your own household as long as you buy and prepare food separately from your friend. And with zero income and a child, you'd likely qualify for the maximum benefit amount for a family of 3 (around $750/month in 2025). If you're concerned about mail going to your friend's house, ask your caseworker about electronic notifications through the BenefitsCal app or email instead.

Have you considered trying Claimyr to get through to a CalFresh eligibility worker directly? I was in a complicated housing situation too and was getting nowhere with the online application. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me through to a live person at my county office in about 10 minutes. I was able to explain my whole situation and the worker walked me through exactly what to do. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The worker I spoke with confirmed that I could use a mailing address different from where I was physically staying and explained exactly how to document it on the application. Might save you a lot of back-and-forth trying to figure it out on your own.

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FRIEND'S SITUATION!!! If she's receiving any benefits herself like section 8 or calfresh, she might be worried because she's supposed to report ALL people living in her home!!! This could potentially affect HER benefits if she hasn't reported you guys living there. That might be why she's so paranoid about it. Not trying to scare you but just explaining why she might be so worried. If she's breaking rules with her own benefits by letting you stay there unreported, that could explain her paranoia about government connections.

When i lost my apartmnt i used my aunts adress for mail but told calfresh i was stayin diffrent places with freinds. they just need somwhere to send your EBT card and papers. but your frend should know that calfresh dosent share info with other agencys so it wont affect her housing or anything.

To answer your question about proof - CalFresh may ask for some verification of your living situation, but there are multiple ways to handle this: 1. A simple written statement explaining your temporary housing situation 2. A letter from your friend confirming you stay there (though this sounds like it wouldn't work in your situation) 3. A statement from a community organization familiar with your circumstances 4. Sometimes just your detailed explanation during the interview is sufficient With zero income, you'll also need to explain how you're meeting your basic needs right now. Be prepared to explain you're using savings, help from family/friends, etc. The most important thing is to be completely truthful about your situation while exploring options for the mailing address issue. A PO Box is probably your best bet since it completely separates mail from your friend's address.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year when my partner was injured and we were staying with family. Here's what worked for us: 1. Got a PO Box at the post office ($60 for 6 months) - this solved the mail issue completely 2. Applied online and selected "homeless/no permanent address" 3. During the phone interview, I explained we were temporarily staying with someone but bought our own food 4. They approved us within 2 weeks for the full amount The caseworker told me that as long as you're honest about your living situation and can prove you're a separate food-purchasing unit, it's totally fine. They see this situation ALL the time. Also - if you can't afford the PO Box fee right now, some community centers, churches, or homeless service organizations will let you use their address for mail. Might be worth calling around to local nonprofits that help families in crisis. Don't let your friend's concerns stop you from getting the help your family needs. You're not doing anything that would affect her - you're just getting food assistance during a temporary crisis.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult time. As someone who works with families navigating benefits, I want to emphasize that you absolutely have options here and shouldn't feel stuck. A few additional points that might help: 1. **Emergency CalFresh** - Given your husband's injury and zero income, you may qualify for expedited processing (benefits within 3 days). Make sure to mention the emergency nature of your situation when applying. 2. **Community resources while you wait** - Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local food banks and emergency assistance programs that can help bridge the gap while your CalFresh application processes. 3. **Documentation for your situation** - Since your friend is concerned about involvement, you can write a simple statement yourself explaining your temporary living arrangement. No signature from her needed. 4. **Other benefits to consider** - With your husband's workplace injury, you might also qualify for WIC (if you're breastfeeding), emergency cash assistance, and possibly temporary disability through your state's disability insurance program. The key is to apply as soon as possible since benefits can be backdated to your application date. Don't let housing uncertainty prevent you from getting the food assistance your family desperately needs right now.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned when I helped my sister through a similar situation. She was staying with our mom after her divorce and needed CalFresh but didn't want to complicate our mom's housing situation. What really helped was calling the county office directly (we used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it actually worked great) and asking them to walk us through the "homeless/temporary housing" application process step by step. The caseworker was super understanding and explained that this is incredibly common. The key things we learned: - You can 100% get your own CalFresh benefits while staying with someone temporarily - A PO Box is the cleanest solution for mail (we found one for $50 for 6 months at a smaller post office) - During the interview, just be completely honest about buying your own food separately - With zero income and a baby, you'll likely get expedited processing AND maximum benefits Don't feel bad about needing help - workplace injuries happen and this is exactly what these programs are for. Your friend's concerns are understandable but shouldn't prevent your family from getting food assistance during this crisis. You're not doing anything that would affect her situation at all. Apply online tonight and mention it's an emergency situation due to your husband's injury. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement as someone who went through a very similar situation. When my partner was out of work due to a medical issue, we also had to stay with family temporarily and I was terrified about navigating CalFresh applications. The biggest thing I learned is that county workers see families in temporary housing situations literally every day - it's not unusual at all. What helped me was being completely upfront during my phone interview about our living arrangement and emphasizing that we bought and prepared all our own food separately. For the mail issue, I ended up using a combination approach: got a small PO Box for official correspondence and also signed up for text/email notifications through the BenefitsCal portal so I didn't miss anything important. This gave me peace of mind that I wasn't affecting our host's situation in any way. With your husband's workplace injury and a baby, you'll very likely qualify for expedited processing. Don't wait - apply tonight and mention the emergency circumstances right in your application. Your family deserves this support during such a difficult time. Also wanted to mention that many counties have additional emergency food assistance programs beyond CalFresh that can help while your application processes. Your caseworker can point you toward these resources during your interview. Wishing you and your family all the best - you're going to get through this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to add something that might help - if you're worried about the PO Box cost, many libraries and community centers also offer mail holding services for people in transitional housing situations. I used this when I was between apartments and it was completely free. Also, when you apply online, there's actually a specific checkbox for "temporary housing" that makes the whole process clearer for the caseworker. I wish I'd known about that option when I first applied - it would have saved me a lot of stress about how to explain my situation. One more thing - since you mentioned your husband's workplace injury, make sure to ask about connecting with your local Workforce Development office too. They sometimes have emergency assistance funds for families dealing with workplace injuries while waiting for other benefits or workers' comp to kick in. You're doing the right thing by reaching out for help. Your baby needs food and that's what matters most right now.

I'm new here but wanted to share what worked for me when I was in a very similar situation last year. My family was staying with relatives after we lost our apartment, and I was so worried about applying for CalFresh because of the address complications. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. **Apply as "homeless" even though you have shelter** - This is the correct category for your situation and it's completely normal. The caseworkers are very familiar with temporary housing situations. 2. **For the mail problem** - I ended up getting mail sent to a local community center that helps families in crisis. Many churches and nonprofits will let you use their address for benefits mail if you explain your situation. This cost me nothing and kept government mail away from my relatives' house. 3. **Separate household status** - As long as you buy and prepare food separately from your friend (which it sounds like you do), you're considered your own household regardless of where you sleep. 4. **Emergency processing** - With zero income and a baby, definitely emphasize this is an emergency situation. I got my benefits in 5 days instead of the usual 2-3 weeks. The most important thing is to apply ASAP since benefits can be backdated to your application date. Don't let your friend's understandable concerns prevent your family from getting the food assistance you need during this crisis. You're not doing anything that would impact her situation at all. Your family is going to get through this difficult time. These programs exist exactly for situations like yours where hardworking families face unexpected emergencies. Apply tonight!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your story really resonates with me. I went through something very similar when my spouse was injured at work and we had to move in with family temporarily. First, please don't feel ashamed about needing help - workplace injuries can happen to anyone and this is exactly what CalFresh is designed for. You're not taking advantage of anything; you're accessing support during a legitimate crisis. Based on what others have shared here, I'd suggest this approach: 1. **Apply online tonight** - Select "homeless/temporary housing" as your living situation. This is the correct category even though you have a roof over your head. 2. **Address the mail issue immediately** - Either get a PO Box or contact local churches/community centers about using their address for benefits mail. This completely removes any concerns about your friend's address. 3. **Emphasize the emergency nature** - Workplace injury + zero income + baby = you absolutely qualify for expedited processing. Make this clear in your application. 4. **Be completely honest during your phone interview** - Explain that you're staying with a friend temporarily but purchase and prepare all food separately. Caseworkers see this situation constantly. With zero income and a 9-month-old, you'll likely receive the maximum benefit amount and get it quickly through emergency processing. Don't wait another day - your family needs this assistance and you have every right to access it. You're going to get through this difficult time. Apply tonight and take the first step toward getting your family the help you deserve.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some additional support and resources that might help your situation. As someone who has volunteered with families navigating benefits applications, I've seen many people in your exact circumstances successfully get CalFresh assistance. Here are a few extra tips that haven't been mentioned yet: **Food pantries while you wait** - Even with expedited processing, there might be a few days gap. Most food pantries don't require addresses or documentation - just show up and explain you're a family in crisis. Many specifically serve families with infants and will have formula/baby food. **Document your expenses** - Since you mentioned using savings, keep track of what you're spending on food, diapers, etc. This helps demonstrate your need during the interview process. **Consider applying for emergency cash assistance too** - Many counties offer one-time emergency payments for families dealing with workplace injuries. It's usually a separate application but can provide immediate help with basic needs. Your situation is temporary, but the help you're seeking is exactly what these programs are designed for. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about accessing support during a genuine crisis - you're being a responsible parent by ensuring your family has food security while your husband recovers. You've gotten excellent advice here about the address issue and application process. Trust that you can do this and that there are people and systems in place to help families like yours during tough times.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation sounds incredibly challenging and I admire your determination to get help for your family while being respectful of your friend's concerns. From everything I've read here, it sounds like you have a clear path forward. The advice about applying as "homeless/temporary housing" makes perfect sense, and using a PO Box or community organization for mail completely solves the address issue without involving your friend at all. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned - when you do your phone interview, you might want to have a simple written timeline ready of your husband's injury, when you moved in with your friend, and how long you expect to be there. Having these details organized can help the interview go more smoothly and shows you're being thorough and honest about your situation. Also, since you mentioned your husband had a workplace accident, make sure to ask your caseworker about connecting with local disability advocacy organizations. They often know about additional emergency resources specifically for families dealing with workplace injuries and can help navigate workers' compensation processes too. Your baby is lucky to have such caring parents who are working hard to make sure your family's needs are met during this crisis. Don't let this temporary setback define you - focus on getting the immediate help you need so your husband can recover and you can get back on your feet. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience because I went through almost exactly what you're describing. Last year, my partner was injured in a construction accident and we ended up staying with his sister while he recovered. She was also worried about government connections affecting her rental situation. Here's what worked for us: I got a PO Box at the local post office (cost about $50 for 6 months) and applied online selecting "homeless/temporary housing" as our living situation. During the phone interview, I explained we were staying temporarily with family but bought all our own food separately. The caseworker was completely understanding - she said they handle situations like this every single day. We qualified for expedited processing because of zero income and got approved within a week for the maximum benefit amount. The key was being totally honest about our circumstances while keeping the mail issue completely separate from our host's address. Don't let your friend's concerns stop you from getting help your family desperately needs. You're not doing anything that would affect her situation - you're just accessing temporary food assistance during a legitimate crisis. With your husband's workplace injury and a baby, this is exactly what CalFresh is designed for. Apply tonight and emphasize the emergency nature of your situation. Your family is going to get through this difficult time, and getting food assistance will be one less thing to worry about while your husband recovers.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really hits close to home. My family went through something very similar when my husband was hurt on the job and we had to stay with relatives temporarily. The advice everyone has given here is spot-on - you absolutely can get CalFresh while staying with someone temporarily, and getting a PO Box or using a community center address completely solves the mail issue. What I wanted to add is that you shouldn't feel guilty about needing this help. Workplace accidents happen to good, hardworking families all the time, and that's exactly why these safety net programs exist. One thing that really helped me during our application process was calling ahead to a few local food pantries to let them know we might need emergency food while waiting for benefits to process. Most were incredibly understanding and some even offered to help with other resources like baby supplies and referrals to utility assistance programs. Also, don't underestimate how much the maximum CalFresh benefit for a family of three will help - it was truly life-changing for us during those difficult months. With zero income, you'll qualify for the full amount, which should significantly reduce your grocery expenses and help stretch your remaining savings for other necessities. Apply tonight, get that PO Box tomorrow, and trust that you're doing exactly the right thing for your family. Your baby needs food security, and accessing these programs during a genuine crisis shows you're being responsible parents, not taking advantage of anything. You're going to get through this challenging time!