Nearly 370,000 SSI Households Will Become Eligible for CalFresh This Summer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the first time in around 45 years those receiving Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) will also be able to receive CalFresh benefits.

The change to “SSI Cash-Out”, which in 1974 made SSI/SSP recipients ineligible for food stamps because SSI/SSP became a federal cash assistance program for the elderly, blind, and disabled. SSI/SSP recipients received $10 payment to their benefits in lieu of California’s CalFresh benefits. This change, which is a result of AB 1811 will increase the food benefits of for most SSI/SSP households.

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“These households are typically comprised solely of SSI/SSP members who would become newly eligible for and receive more CalFresh benefits today than the initial $10 payment provided to them in lieu of federal food benefits,” Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) officials said.

In the summer of 2019, the “cash-out” policy will come to an end. SSI/SSP benefits will not be reduced as a result of this change and recipients receiving CalFresh. For households already receiving benefits, at their reporting deadline they are asked to provide information about SSI recipients. The CalFresh benefits would be recalculated as a result. “The impacts are very different for current CalFresh households comprised of both SSI/SSP members and non‑SSI/SSP members. The vast majority of these households would experience a reduction in food benefits.”

Those requesting CalFresh benefits could apply by phone, in person, or online. If they are approved, they will get an EBT card which will receive CalFresh deposits. A household of one can receive approximately $130 per month on average. Adding the SSI/SSP recipient and their income can lead to a partial or total loss of CalFresh benefits for those household already receiving benefits since the income will be factored into the CalFresh benefit calculation. Some very-low mixed SSI households may see an increase in benefits due to the increase in household size.

Nearly 370,000 households are estimated to benefit from the elimination of cash-out benefits being that they will be newly eligible. According to Department of Social Services (DSS), around 123,000 households which are newly eligible will choose not to participate. Newly eligible households that decide to participate in CalFresh will receive approximately $75.

The households with a partial loss will be eligible to receive a state-funded nutrition benefit, Supplemental Nutrition Benefit – SNAP (for partial loss) and Transitional Nutrition Benefit-TNB (for total loss) to help offset the loss or partial loss of benefits.