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Apply for CalFresh food benefits

Find county CalFresh application information and food-benefit assistance.

Before you start

Choose your county to find its benefits office and local programme information.
CalFresh helps with food; CalWORKs provides cash assistance to eligible families. The eligibility rules differ.
Check the dates on income tables and county work-rule waivers. Your notice gives your case-specific reporting and renewal deadlines.

1 guide with reviewed service links · Merced

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Highlighted counties have a reviewed service guide matching this selection. An agency may serve only a city or part of a county.

California58 counties

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Map source

U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.

County government · Merced

Social Services

Social services

Apply for CalFresh through BenefitsCalOfficial online service

Apply through the state-designated BenefitsCal portal; your county welfare department handles the application. Eligibility and required verification depend on your circumstances.

Service availability

CalFresh is federally mandated and in California, is state-supervised and county-operated.

Official information checked October 14, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 14, 2026

California Department of Social Services · CalFresh application portal transition (opens in a new tab)

Apply for CalFresh through BenefitsCal — statewide instructions linked to the separately cited county office

CDSS recommends that County Welfare Departments (CWDs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) update their materials and websites to point to www.benefitscal.com to apply and www.getcalfresh.org for general program information and support.

Saved evidence: 339049ae2d2b3bee · Agent source review

Merced County — CalFresh food benefitsOfficial instructions

Local CalFresh programme information from the county benefits agency.

CFAP expansion — future implementation

The CFAP expansion is scheduled for October 1, 2027. It is not yet available under the expanded rules.

Official information checked October 15, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 15, 2026

Merced County · Merced — calfresh programme (opens in a new tab)

County calfresh programme introduction / application information

CalFresh is a nutrition program for California residents with low income that will help them buy healthy food at most stores, such as food outlets, grocery stores, farmers markets, and some restaurants.

Saved evidence: 309de829deb77aba · Agent source review

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