CalFresh expedited (CF 285) — 3-day food assistance

Stripped-down CalFresh-only application for expedited service (3-day decision) — the 'I need food this week' path

Audience · Californians needing food assistance within 3 days — very low income (<$150/mo gross) AND <$100 liquid resources, OR migrant/seasonal workers, OR rent+utilities exceed gross incomeTime · ~10 min

1Fill it out
2Review
3Sign
4Download

Expedited triage

Answer these first — they determine whether you qualify for the 3-day expedited service. If none apply, the calfresh-saws wizard (joint CalFresh + Medi-Cal + CalWORKs) is the better path.

Is your household's monthly gross income under $150 AND your liquid resources under $100?

Do your rent + utilities exceed your gross monthly income + liquid resources?

Are you a migrant or seasonal farmworker household with little/no income?

About you

Full legal name

Date of birth

Social Security number (optional)

CalFresh has a narrower SSN requirement than CalWORKs. You can apply without entering an SSN here — the worker collects it at intake. Tap 'Enter digitally' below only if you want a fully-completed PDF; encrypted on our servers and auto-deleted after 30 days.

Phone

Current address (or note if unhoused — shelter address OK with permission)

If you're escaping abuse or unsafe at your current address, ask the partner where you'll submit this form whether you can use a safe-address (FJC, library, or partner agency). We won't track which address you used.

How we handle addresses →

If unhoused: ask your navigator for permission to use the partner's mailing address. This is the address CalFresh sends your EBT card to.

Immigration / citizenship status

Only matters for household members claiming benefits.

Household + income

Total household size (people who buy + eat food together)

List each household member (name, age, relationship)

Total gross household income (last 30 days)

Where does the income come from?

Wages, SSI, SSDI, child support, unemployment, gig — list each.

Cash + checking + savings (combined)

Critical for expedited determination — must be <$100 if claiming on the low-income trigger.

Shelter expenses (for expedited trigger #2)

Monthly rent or mortgage

Monthly utilities (electric, gas, water, phone)

Anything else the worker needs to know

Your situation in your own words

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