Extra CalFresh benefits ending July 2025? Last month for emergency allotments?
So I heard from my neighbor that July is gonna be the last month we're getting those extra CalFresh benefits they've been giving us since that big wildfire emergency declaration. My EBT card has been loading with like $250 more than my regular amount for the past few months but I'm freaking out cause I really depend on that extra amount to feed my kids during summer when they're not getting school lunch. Does anyone know if this is true? Will August go back to normal amounts? I haven't gotten any notice in the mail about it stopping. My caseworker never answers when I call the county office!!! 😩
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GalaxyGazer
Yes, unfortunately the disaster CalFresh supplements are ending after July 2025. The California DSS sent out notices about this last month, but not everyone received them yet. The disaster declaration for the Northern California wildfires that triggered these emergency allotments is expiring, and federal rules don't allow them to continue supplements without an active declaration. Your regular CalFresh benefit amount will be what loads on your EBT card in August. If you're concerned about feeding your kids during summer, you might qualify for the Summer EBT program which provides $45 per child per month for families with school-aged children. You can check eligibility on BenefitsCal.com.
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Amina Sow
•Thanks for the info. This is going to be so hard for us. Do u know if they're gonna have another disaster thing soon? I mean there's always wildfires in CA right? And that Summer EBT thing, is that automatic or do I have to apply separate???
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Oliver Wagner
i heard this too from my cousin but then my other friend said she got a letter saying it was extended??? idk what to believe anymore they keep changing everything
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GalaxyGazer
•There's a lot of confusion about this. The standard emergency allotments that were available during COVID ended in early 2023, but some counties have had specific disaster supplements due to local emergencies like the wildfires. These are different programs with different end dates. The current wildfire-related supplements are the ones ending in July 2025, but your regular CalFresh benefits will continue.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
This system is RIGGED!!! First they give us extra, get us dependent on it, then YANK it away with barely any notice!!! My family of 5 has been getting $1200/month and now we'll be back to $650?? How are we supposed to adjust to losing almost HALF our food budget in ONE MONTH?? The county workers don't care - they just say "sorry those were temporary benefits" like we're supposed to just magically need less food now! FURIOUS!!
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Javier Mendoza
•I understand your frustration. It's really difficult when benefits change, especially with the current food prices. Have you considered reporting any changes in your circumstances that might increase your regular benefit amount? Things like higher rent/utility costs, childcare expenses, or medical costs for anyone over 60 or disabled in your household can all increase your base CalFresh amount. You can submit these updates through your SAR7 or by contacting your county office.
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Emma Thompson
I spent 2 hours trying to get through to my county office yesterday to ask about this exact thing. Kept getting disconnected or stuck in that awful automated system. Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that someone here recommended and got a callback from an actual CalFresh worker in 20 minutes! They confirmed the disaster supplements are ending after July. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The worker told me they're required to give at least 15 days notice before benefits change, so you should get a letter explaining everything soon if you haven't already.
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Oliver Wagner
•does that claimyr thing cost money?? i dont have extra $$ to spend just to talk to someone who should be answering their phone anyway
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Emma Thompson
•It does have a fee, but it saved me hours of frustration and getting disconnected. If you don't want to use a service like that, try calling right when they open in the morning - that's usually when wait times are shortest. Some counties also have specific call-back hours when it's easier to reach someone.
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Malik Davis
I was at the calfresh office yesterday for my recert interview and i asked about this. the worker said the july benefits are the last with the disaster supplement but she said to watch for letters about the new CA Food Assistance Program that might be starting in september? anyone hear about this? sorry i didn't get all the details, my toddler was having a meltdown
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Javier Mendoza
•Yes, there is a new California Food Assistance Program enhancement coming, but it won't fully replace the disaster supplements. The state is providing some additional funding to partially offset the loss of the emergency allotments, but the amounts will be lower than what people received during the disaster declaration. The program is scheduled to begin in September 2025 and eligible households will receive a notice about a month before it starts. There's no need to apply separately - if you're already on CalFresh, they'll automatically determine if you qualify.
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Isabella Santos
wait im confused... is this about the regular calfresh or the disaster calfresh? cause i appleid for disaster calfresh after the floods hit our county in april and they said that was a one-time payment but my regular benefits would stay the same??
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GalaxyGazer
•Those are two different programs. What's ending in July are the supplemental emergency allotments (extra amounts) being added to regular CalFresh benefits for people in certain wildfire-affected counties. The one-time Disaster CalFresh payment you received for flood damage is completely separate and doesn't affect your regular benefits. Your regular CalFresh amount will continue as normal based on your household size, income, and expenses.
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Amina Sow
I finally got a letter in the mail today confirming what everyone's saying. Just FYI for anyone in same situation - the letter says if your household circumstances have changed (like higher rent, utilities, medical costs, less income) you should report it ASAP because it might increase your base benefit amount even after the supplements go away. I'm going to submit all my new bills tomorrow because my rent went up $300 since my last recertification.
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Javier Mendoza
•That's excellent advice! Many people don't realize that reporting changes like increased housing costs or decreased income between reporting periods can increase their benefits. You don't have to wait for your SAR7 or recertification to report changes that could help you get more benefits. Just make sure you have documentation ready when you submit the changes - lease agreements for rent increases, utility bills, pay stubs showing reduced hours, etc.
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Oscar Murphy
Just wanted to add that if you're struggling with the transition when these benefits end, there are some other resources that might help bridge the gap. Local food banks often have extra distribution during summer months specifically because they know families lose school meal access. Also, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) provides additional food assistance if you have kids under 5 or are pregnant/breastfeeding - it's separate from CalFresh so you can get both. Some libraries and community centers also run free summer lunch programs for kids. I know it's not the same as having that extra money on your EBT card, but every little bit helps when you're trying to stretch your food budget. Stay strong everyone! 💪
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