CalFresh recipients across California have reported delays in receiving their monthly food assistance, but state officials confirm that no benefits will be lost. The delay stems from administrative backlogs created during the recent federal government shutdown, now resolved following bipartisan action in Congress.
According to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), all pending payments are currently being processed and will be delivered to EBT cards — known as Golden State Advantage Cards — as soon as counties clear remaining system delays.
Your CalFresh Benefits Are Safe
Officials emphasize that delayed CalFresh funds will be issued in full, and the delay will not affect future eligibility or reduce future payments. Each county operates on its own timeline, but many have already begun releasing funds in batches.
Under normal scheduling, CalFresh payments are deposited based on:
- A county’s assigned issuance window (often between the 1st and 10th of the month), or
- The last digit of a household’s case number
Recipients whose benefits are usually loaded later in the month may experience a slightly longer delay, but all owed benefits will be included once deposits occur.
COLA Increases Still Apply for 2026
CalFresh benefit amounts adjust annually through the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which reflects rising living costs. The delay does not affect the implementation of the 2026 COLA, which applies from October 2025 through September 2026.
Maximum Monthly Allotments for FY 2026 (48 States & D.C., incl. CA):
| Household Size | Max Monthly Allotment (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 298 |
| 2 | 546 |
| 3 | 785 |
| 4 | 994 |
| 5 | 1,183 |
| 6 | 1,471 |
| 7 | 1,631 |
| 8 | 1,789 |
| Each additional person | +218 |
Households receiving the maximum amount may notice a slight increase once benefits load, as the COLA update is included in pending payments.
How to Check Your EBT Balance
To verify whether your benefits have been deposited, you can:
- Call the EBT customer service number on your card: 1-877-328-9677
- Check balance through the EBT mobile app
- Log in to the online portal listed on your card
Unused funds from previous months remain available and are not affected by this month’s delays.
You may also contact your county social services office or call the statewide CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663. Each county can provide personalized updates, confirm benefit amounts, and check whether any documentation — such as SAR 7 — is pending.
For official updates, visit the California Department of Social Services.
Emergency Food Assistance Available
While waiting for delayed payments, California residents can access immediate help:
- Dial 211 to connect with local food banks and community assistance programs
- Some counties, including San Francisco and Contra Costa, offer temporary food assistance or prepaid cards
- Submit all required documents promptly through BenefitsCal to avoid future delays
With state agencies actively resolving the backlog, CalFresh recipients should expect their full benefits to be delivered in the coming days or weeks, depending on county processing.
