California residents who depend on their CalFresh benefits must take action before May 10, 2025, else they could be losing out on critical food assistance. The reason as to why massive benefits may be cancelled as of this month is due to recertification. Many households could face a suspension of benefits mainly because they missed the April 10, 2025, deadline to complete this mandatory process.
More about CalFresh and the recertification process
CalFresh which is California’s implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program meant to help low-income individuals, and Californian families who cannot afford nutritious food each month. These benefits are distributed via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that acts similarly to a debit card, and can be used at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other authorized retailers.
The problem comes into play as these benefits don’t last indefinitely. Recipients are expected to recertify or verify their eligibility status to see if they still meet the criteria to reap these benefits. Eligibility criteria are dependent on factors such as income, household size, and expenses. Californians who do not go through rectification could have their benefits canceled.
Citizens whose CalFresh certification period ends on May 10, 2025, would have to have submitted their recertification paperwork by April 10, 2025. Those Californians who haven’t recertified by this date are at risk of losing their benefits starting May 10. Losing these benefits would mean missed meals and added stress for some households.
What does recertification entail?
Recertification is deemed a standard review process needed by the state to ensure continued eligibility. To recertify, one will have to:
- Fill out the recertification form (CF 37)
- Complete an in-person, phone, or online interview
- Provide the necessary documentation of current income, expenses and household circumstances
The interview is the way that country officials determine whether your CalFresh benefits should continue or not and decide upon the updated benefits amount. Citizens who skip this step could have their case closed.
The California Department of Social Services is the best place to access the recertification form and find out more information about the recertification process.
How often do Californians need to Recertify?
Most CalFresh recipients are required to recertify every 12 months. There are some households that are given longer certification periods:
- Households with elderly and disabled members who have income can certify after 24 months.
- Households made up of only elderly and disabled citizens with no earned income can certify after 36 months.
Those citizens who do qualify for an extended certification period must still stay aware of their expiration date and recertify when they are required to do so. The process of receiving CalFresh benefits differ slightly from that of receiving SNAP benefits.
What happens to those Californians who did not recertify?
Citizens who were unable to complete the recertification process by the fifth day of the last month of your certification period will have their benefits discontinued. Citizens whose benefits are set to expire on May 10, had to have met the recertification deadline of April 10. Missing that April 10 deadline could mean that citizens will not receive their benefits in May unless they reapply and are reapproved, which may take time and cause service gaps.
Actions to take for Californians who missed the deadline
Californians who missed the April 10 deadline will have their benefits stopped on May 10 unless they contact their local county CalFresh office immediately to reapply so as to avoid prolonged interruption of these benefits. Some citizens will need to submit a new application rather than a recertification, depending on how much time has passed.
It must be remembered that CalFresh is a beneficial support system for many Californians similar to the SNAP, in that CalFresh provides families with not just food, but some financial stability. Recertification is most important to determine which households should continue receiving this aid, however, missing the rectification deadline can leave citizens without this support.
