Moving out of state - how to transfer CalFresh benefits or reapply?

Unfortunately, CalFresh benefits don't transfer between states because SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is administered differently in each state, even though it's a federal program. Here's what you need to do: 1. Report your move to your Sacramento County office about 10 days before you leave (call or do it through BenefitsCal) 2. They'll close your case effective the end of the month you move 3. You'll need to apply as a new applicant in your new state I recommend applying in your new state as soon as possible after arriving. Bring documentation of your income, expenses, and identity to speed up the process. Some states process applications faster than California does.

moved from ca to arizona last year and had same question. u DEFINITELY need 2 tell ur worker ur leaving or theyll keep putting money on ur ebt and then hit u with an overpayment later! happened to my cousin!

When I moved states 2 years ago, the eligibility worker told me SNAP benefits have a 10-day reporting requirement for address changes that take you out of the county or state. You should report your planned move date, and your California benefits will stop at the end of that month. Then you'll apply fresh in the new state. Each state has different income limits and deductions, so your benefit amount might change even with the same income.

Make sure you keep your final California EBT card and don't throw it away until you've spent all the benefits! The money already on your card is still yours even after your case closes. I made that mistake when I moved and lost about $75 worth of benefits because I cut up my card thinking I couldn't use it anymore.

I've been trying to reach my county worker for WEEKS about my own issue (not moving, but a verification problem) and it's impossible to get through on the phone. Keep getting disconnected after waiting for 45+ minutes. If you need to report your move quickly, try using Claimyr.com to get through to a human at the Sacramento County office. It connects you with a real person instead of waiting forever. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to fix an issue before my benefits got cut off.

just fyi evry state has difrent rules 4 snap!! in my new state they wanted way more paperwork than cali did and income limits r lower so be ready 4 that

One more important thing: make sure you officially close your CalFresh case in California. If you just stop using your benefits without reporting your move, your case might go into "discontinued" status rather than "closed" status. This can sometimes cause problems if they later discover you moved out of state but didn't report it. Also, some states have an expedited SNAP process if you have very little income and high housing costs when you first arrive. Worth asking about when you apply in your new state if money will be tight during the move.

btw did u report ur move on benefitscal yet? its easier than calling most of the time

When I moved between states last year, I found it helpful to get a copy of my verification documents from my California case file before leaving. Having copies of everything (income verification, ID verification, etc.) made the application process in my new state go much smoother. You can request these through your county office. Oh, and don't forget to set up mail forwarding with USPS so you don't miss any important notices!

I went through this exact situation when I moved from San Diego to Texas about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I reported my move through BenefitsCal about 2 weeks before leaving (you can do it online under "Report Changes"). My benefits stopped at the end of that month, and I applied in Texas the day after I arrived. There was about a 2-week gap before my new benefits started, so I'd recommend saving up a little extra for groceries during that transition period. Also, Texas had slightly different income calculations than California, so my benefit amount changed even though my income stayed the same. The whole process was less scary than I thought it would be once I understood the steps. Good luck with your move!

I moved from California to Nevada about 8 months ago and went through this same process! One thing I wish someone had told me is to take screenshots or print out your BenefitsCal account info before you move, especially your case number and benefit history. Nevada asked for my previous case details during their application process, and it was helpful to have that information readily available. Also, Nevada's online application system was actually more user-friendly than California's, which was a pleasant surprise. The processing time was faster too - I got approved in about 10 days versus the 30+ days it took when I first applied in CA years ago. Each state really is different! Just make sure you apply in your new state as soon as you have a permanent address there, even if it's temporary housing at first.

I'm planning a similar move in a few months and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I called my county office last week to ask about this exact situation, and they confirmed what others have said - you definitely need to report your move within 10 days, and benefits don't transfer between states. The worker also mentioned that if you're moving mid-month, your California benefits will continue until the end of that month, so you don't lose partial benefits. She recommended keeping detailed records of when you report the move and getting a confirmation number if you do it over the phone, just in case there are any questions later. Also, she said some people qualify for emergency SNAP benefits in their new state if they're in a really tight financial situation during the move - worth asking about when you apply!

I'm in a similar situation - planning to move from California to Washington state in about 3 months! This thread has been so helpful. One thing I learned from my research is that you can actually check your new state's SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit calculator online before you move. Most states have these tools on their Department of Social Services website. For Washington, I found their benefit estimator really useful to get an idea of what I might qualify for compared to my current CalFresh amount. Also, I read that some states allow you to start your application online even before you physically move there, as long as you have a confirmed address. Might be worth checking if your new state allows that - could help reduce the gap between benefits!

I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now! I'm moving from LA County to Colorado next month and just went through the reporting process last week. A few things I learned that might help: 1. When you report your move through BenefitsCal, make sure to note the exact date you're leaving California - they'll use that to determine your last day of eligibility 2. Colorado (and probably most states) requires proof of residency before you can apply, so you'll need something like a lease agreement, utility bill, or even a letter from someone you're staying with 3. I found out that some states have different application methods - Colorado lets you apply online, by phone, or in person, which gives you more flexibility than California's system The timing is definitely tricky since there will likely be a gap, but everyone here has given such great advice about budgeting for that transition period. Good luck with your move - it sounds like you're planning well ahead which should make the whole process smoother!

As someone who recently moved from Sacramento County to Oregon, I can share my experience! The process was actually more straightforward than I expected once I understood the steps. I reported my move through BenefitsCal about 10 days before leaving (as others mentioned, this is required), and my CA benefits ended at the end of that month. Oregon's application process was surprisingly efficient - I applied online the day after I arrived and got approved within 2 weeks. One thing that really helped was calling Oregon's SNAP office before I moved to ask about their specific documentation requirements. They emailed me a checklist of what I'd need, which made the application much smoother. Also, Oregon has different deductions and income calculations than California, so even with the same income, my benefit amount changed slightly. I'd recommend checking your new state's SNAP website for their benefit calculator and eligibility requirements before you move - it really helped me set realistic expectations and budget for the transition period. The 2-week gap between benefits was manageable since I planned ahead. Good luck with your move!