How to Apply for Food Stamps in Sacramento, California

Food stamps are governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. California has offices throughout the state including Sacramento to allow people in need to apply for benefits. To get food stamps, you must apply and your household must meet the criteria. A household is considered anyone who lives in the same house -- related or not.

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  Call the California hotline at 1-877-847-3663, or contact the Sacramento welfare department at 1-916-874-2072. Provide the attendant your ZIP code, and he will direct you to the local food stamp office nearest to you.
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  Visit the Sacramento food stamp office, and complete the application for food stamp assistance. The application asks many questions to include information on all household members, income, assets and monthly expenses. Turn in the application as soon as possible because your benefits start on the day you submit the application.The food stamp office has 30 days from the date on the application to assess your eligibility for the program and issue the assistance. If you have less than $150, you may be eligible for expedited services, and receive your benefits in three days. Upon submitting your application, a meeting time and date will be set.
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  Attend the meeting with your case worker. She will review your application, and confirm your eligibility based on your income, allowable expenses (rent, utilities, child care) and members in the household. For each member of the household, you should have a copy of birth certificates and Social Security cards. You will also need to present actual billing statements with your current address, a photo ID, current copy of your bank statement and a statement of all stocks, bonds or savings accounts. Once the case worker has all of this information, you will be notified on whether you qualify for assistance.
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  Check your mail. If you are eligible for food stamps, you will receive a letter called a Notice of Action letter mailed from the Sacramento food stamp office. The letter will tell you how much you qualify for in benefits each month. You will also receive an Electronic Benefits Card. If you are approved for food stamps, you will be given full details on where and, how to use your food EBT card. If you receive a Notice of Action letter stating that you have been declined food stamp benefits, you can appeal the decision by requesting a California state hearing. Information on how to proceed will be included in the letter.
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  Use your EBT food stamps card at any participating grocery store or certified farmers market. The amount of your benefits will be added to this card monthly for use and is usually valid for six months. You cannot go over the allowed limit on the card. Any money left on the card at the end of each month will roll over to the next month for use. You can use your EBT card both in and out of the Sacramento area.