Do I need permanent address for CalFresh if I'm homeless with only CA ID?

You can absolutely apply for CalFresh while homeless! The residence requirement just means you need to live in the county where you're applying, not that you need a permanent address. When you apply, you can: - Use a mailing address of a friend or local organization (shelter, church, etc) that agrees to receive your mail - Explain your living situation to your eligibility worker - If you have a CA ID, that's actually great documentation for your identity Homeless households may also qualify for expedited services (getting benefits within 3 days). Make sure to check that box on your application!

u dont need no permanent address 4 calfresh, i was homeless 2 years n got benefits the whole time. jus tell them ur homeless on the app, they actually give u PRIORITY when ur homeless. good luck

I went through this exact situation last year. When I applied, I listed myself as "homeless" and used my cousin's address for mail purposes only. They understood completely. The important thing is that you're honest about your situation - don't try to claim you live somewhere you don't. They'll still need to do an interview with you. If you don't have a reliable phone, make sure you provide an alternate contact method. The county office should have accommodations for people in your situation - it's actually very common.

To add to what others have said: CalFresh actually has special provisions for people experiencing homelessness. You qualify as "homeless" under their definition if you lack a fixed regular nighttime residence OR if you're staying in a shelter, transitional housing, vehicle, etc. When you apply: 1. Mark that you're homeless on the application 2. Provide a mailing address (friend, organization, general delivery at post office) 3. You may qualify for both expedited service (3-day processing) AND the homeless shelter deduction which can increase your benefit amount I'm an eligibility worker and we help homeless applicants every day. Your CA ID is sufficient for identity verification.

When I was tryna apply while homeless last winter, I kept getting disconnected trying to call the county office to ask questions. Spent like 4 days trying to get through until someone told me about Claimyr.com - it's a service that holds your place in line and calls you back when a worker is available. Saved me HOURS of frustration. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Was totally worth it cause I had specific questions about my homeless status that the online application didn't clear up.

btw forgot 2 say they might ask u what areas/neighborhoods u stay in just so they know what county ur in. they dont need exact addresses of where u sleep tho

I'm concerned about the fact you mentioned "only" having a California ID. Are you not a California resident? Because you DO need to be a legal resident of California to receive CalFresh. If you just moved here from another state and haven't established residency yet, that could be an issue. The ID itself is good for identity verification though.

One more tip: If you have a smartphone, download the BenefitsCal app or use BenefitsCal.com to apply. You can take pictures of your ID directly through the app, and it's easier to track your application status that way. The EBT card will be mailed to whatever address you provide, so make sure it's somewhere reliable where mail doesn't get lost.

To respond to your question about the homeless shelter deduction: it's a standard $166.81 deduction (as of 2025) that homeless households can get to account for shelter expenses even if you don't have rent receipts. The worker should automatically apply this if you indicate you're homeless. As for verification of homelessness - generally, your self-attestation (your statement) is sufficient. If there's some reason for the county to question it, they might ask for a statement from someone who knows your situation, but this is rare.

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching the county office by phone, many counties also accept walk-ins for CalFresh applications. You can go directly to your local Department of Social Services office and apply in person. Sometimes this is actually faster than trying to get through on the phone, especially if you have questions about your specific situation. They'll have staff who can help you fill out the application and explain the homeless provisions. Plus, if you qualify for expedited service, they can process it right there. Just bring your CA ID and be prepared to wait a bit, but it might be less frustrating than phone tag.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! You definitely don't need a permanent address - being homeless actually makes you eligible for expedited processing which is amazing. I used my local library's address for mail delivery (they have a program for this) and it worked perfectly. The eligibility worker was super understanding and walked me through everything. Make sure you emphasize that you're homeless on the application because it unlocks additional benefits and faster processing. Also, if you have any income from odd jobs or anything, make sure to report it accurately - they're not trying to disqualify you, they just need to calculate your benefit amount correctly. The whole process took about a week for me and I've been getting benefits ever since. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - the system is actually designed to help people in situations like ours!

I'm glad you asked this question because it's helping so many people! Just wanted to share that some counties also have outreach workers who specifically help homeless individuals navigate benefits applications. In LA County, for example, they have mobile units that come to areas where homeless folks congregate. You might want to check if your county has similar services - they can help you apply on the spot and make sure you get all the benefits you're entitled to. Also, if you're staying in your car sometimes, that definitely counts as homeless under CalFresh rules, so don't hesitate to mention that. The system really is set up to help people in your situation - you deserve these benefits and shouldn't feel bad about applying for them!

I've been working with homeless individuals for years as a case manager, and I want to emphasize how important it is that you're applying! CalFresh is specifically designed to help people in your situation, and being homeless actually gives you several advantages in the application process: 1. Expedited processing (benefits within 3 days instead of 30) 2. The homeless shelter deduction that others mentioned ($166.81 automatically applied) 3. Waived certain documentation requirements 4. Priority scheduling for interviews Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not "deserving" of these benefits - they exist specifically for situations like yours. Your California ID is perfect for identity verification, and using a friend's address for mail is completely standard and acceptable. The county workers deal with homeless applications daily and are trained to help you through the process. One thing I'd add is that if you do any occasional work (gig economy, day labor, etc.), make sure to report it honestly - they're not trying to disqualify you, they just need accurate info to calculate your benefits. And remember, even if your situation changes later (like finding housing), you can always update your case. Good luck with your application!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely can get CalFresh while homeless! I work at a local food bank and we help people apply all the time. The process is actually streamlined for homeless individuals because the state recognizes this is a vulnerable population that needs support. A few practical tips from what I've seen work well: - If your friend's address doesn't work out for some reason, you can also use "General Delivery" at your local post office as a mailing address - Some homeless service organizations (shelters, soup kitchens, etc.) will also let you use their address for mail - Keep your CA ID safe - it's really all you need for identity verification - If you have any medical conditions or disabilities, mention those too as they might qualify you for additional deductions The county workers are used to this situation and won't judge you for it. They're there to help you access the benefits you're entitled to. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - there are people whose job it is to walk you through this process. You've got this!