How to Report Changes to SNAP (CalFresh) in California

If you get SNAP benefits in California (called CalFresh), you are usually required to report certain changes to your local county office. Reporting on time can help you avoid overpayments, interruptions, or loss of benefits.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language, what kinds of changes to report, when to report them, and how to do it through official channels in California. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or application site, but you can use this information to work more smoothly with your county CalFresh office.

What SNAP (CalFresh) Is in California

In California, SNAP is called CalFresh. It is a food benefit program that helps eligible people and families buy groceries using an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card.

CalFresh is run by:

• The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) at the state level, and
• County social services / human services departments at the local level.

Your county office is usually the place you:

• Apply or turn in forms
• Ask questions about your case
• Report changes in your situation

Why Reporting Changes Matters

When you receive CalFresh, your benefit amount is based on your current situation, including:

• Income
• Household size and members
• Housing and utility costs
• Immigration and student status, when relevant

If these things change and the county is not told, several problems can occur:

• You might get more benefits than you should, leading to an overpayment that the county later asks you to repay.
• You might get less benefits than you qualify for, and miss help you could have received.
• Your case could be closed if the county thinks you are no longer eligible.

Reporting changes on time is one of the main responsibilities for CalFresh households in California.

Types of Reporting in California: SAR vs. Change Reporting

Most CalFresh households in California are under a Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR) system, but some are under Change Reporting rules.

Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR)

Under SAR, you generally:

• Report your situation when you apply
• Turn in a SAR 7 form once a year (in California, the SAR 7 is a semi-annual report, but it may be combined with other renewal steps depending on your case)
• Complete a renewal/recertification typically every 12 months

However, even under SAR, certain changes still must be reported within a specific number of days (often 10 days or sometimes the next report month). The exact rules can depend on your household and the type of change.

Change Reporting

Some households are placed in Change Reporting status instead of SAR. These are often households where:

• All members are aged 60 or older or have a disability, and
• Have no earned income, or
• Meet other special criteria set by the state or county.

Change reporting households usually must report most changes within about 10 days of learning about them. Your approval notice or caseworker can tell you if you are in SAR or Change Reporting status.

What Changes You Usually Must Report for CalFresh in California

The exact rules can vary by household type, but common reportable changes in California include:

1. Changes in Income

You typically must report if:

• Your earned income (wages, self-employment, gig work) increases or decreases beyond a certain threshold (for SAR households, often when it is expected to go over a certain Income Reporting Threshold, known as IRT).
• You start or stop a job.
• Your unearned income (like unemployment, Social Security, disability income, child support received) changes.

💡 Key tip: Your county should have informed you of your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) when you were approved. If your gross income (before taxes) is expected to go over that amount, you usually must report within 10 days.

2. Changes in Household Members

Report when:

• Someone moves into your home (a partner, relative, roommate who shares food, or a new baby).
• Someone moves out or is no longer in your household.
• A household member dies.
• A child you are responsible for leaves your home or is placed elsewhere.

3. Changes in Address or Housing Costs

You generally should report:

• A new address
• A change in rent or mortgage amount
• A change in utility expenses (for example, you start or stop paying for heating/cooling separately)

These changes can affect your deductions and your benefit amount.

4. Changes in Work Hours or Work Status

Some adults are subject to work rules or time limits for CalFresh. You may need to report if:

• You start working, stop working, or
• Your hours fall below a certain level (common threshold is 20 hours per week, but rules can vary)

Ask your county office or review your approval notice to see what work requirements apply to your case, if any.

5. Changes in Disability, Student, or Immigration Status

In certain households, you may need to report:

• When someone is newly considered disabled by a program such as Social Security
• When an adult becomes a college student or changes enrollment status (full-time / part-time)
• Changes in immigration status that may affect eligibility

6. Major Changes in Child Support Payments

If you pay court-ordered child support to someone outside your household, you might be able to deduct that amount from your income. You may need to report:

• Increases or decreases in the amount of child support paid
• Starting or stopping court-ordered payments

When You Must Report Changes

Exact deadlines can vary, but in California many changes must be reported within 10 days of when:

• The change happens, or
• You find out about the change

There are also situations where you can wait until your next SAR 7 or recertification. The rules can be complex, especially with Income Reporting Thresholds (IRTs) and SAR status.

To avoid confusion:

• Check your approval letter or SAR instructions for specific deadlines.
• Call your county CalFresh office and ask what you are required to report and by when.

How to Report Changes to CalFresh in California

You cannot report changes through HowToGetAssistance.org. Changes must be reported directly to your local county CalFresh office or official online system.

In California, people typically use one or more of these methods:

1. Through the Official Online Benefits Portal

Most California counties use an official online portal where you can:

• Log into your benefits account
• Report changes
• Upload documents
• Check notices related to CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and sometimes other programs

To use this method, you usually:

1. Create or log in to your account on the official state or county benefits website.
2. Go to the section for “Report a Change”, “Manage My Benefits”, or similar.
3. Enter updated information (new address, income, household members, etc.).
4. Upload proof documents if you have them.
5. Submit and keep a record (screenshot, confirmation number, or printout) if available.

If you are unsure of the correct official website:

• Look at past notices or approval letters from your county; they usually list the official portal.
• Call your county social services or human services department to confirm.

2. By Phone

You can usually report changes by calling your county’s CalFresh office or the county’s main social services line.

When calling, be ready with:

• Your name
• Your case number or Social Security number (if requested for identity verification)
• The details of the change and the date it happened

Ask if proof documents are needed and how to submit them.

3. In Person

You can also report changes by visiting your local county social services / human services office in person. There you may:

• Talk directly with a caseworker or eligibility worker
• Fill out a change report form or update your information
• Hand in copies of pay stubs, lease, ID, bills, or other documents

For hours and locations, contact your county department of social services.

4. By Mail or Fax

Some counties still accept written change reports by mail or fax. To use this method:

1. Complete a change report form or write a signed letter that includes:
   • Your full name
   • Your case number
   • Your current contact information
   • A clear description of the change and the date it occurred
2. Attach copies of supporting documents, if available.
3. Mail or fax it to the address or fax number listed on your CalFresh notices.

This method can be slower, so if a deadline is close, consider adding a phone call or checking with your county for the fastest option.

Documents You May Need When Reporting Changes

When you report a change, the county may ask for proof. Common types of documents include:

• For income changes:

  • Recent pay stubs
  • Letter from employer showing new hours, rate of pay, or start/end date
  • Self-employment records or profit-and-loss statements
  • Benefit approval letters for unemployment, disability, or Social Security

• For address or housing cost changes:

  • Lease or rental agreement
  • Mortgage statement
  • Rent receipt
  • Utility bills (electric, gas, water, trash, etc.)

• For household member changes:

  • Birth certificate (for a newborn)
  • School enrollment letter (in some cases)
  • Proof of someone moving in or out is sometimes requested, depending on the county

• For child support:

  • Court order
  • Proof of payment (receipts, bank statements, wage garnishment records)

You do not always need every document listed; your county worker will tell you what is required for your specific change.

Common Changes and How to Report Them (Quick Reference Table)

Below is a simplified overview. Your county may have slightly different instructions.

Always check your individual case notices or ask your county worker, because some households have different rules.

What Happens After You Report a Change

Once you report a change to your county CalFresh office, here is what usually happens:

1. Review of your information
   A caseworker looks at your report and any documents you submitted.

2. Request for more information (if needed)
   If something is missing or unclear, the county may mail you a request for verification with a deadline. If you do not respond by the deadline, your benefits could be lowered or stopped.

3. Adjustment of your benefit amount

   • If your income goes up, your monthly CalFresh benefits might go down.
   • If your income goes down or your household grows, your benefits might increase.

4. Written notice of action
   The county typically sends a written notice telling you:

   • Whether your benefits are changing
   • The new benefit amount and when it starts
   • The reason for the decision
   • Your right to appeal if you disagree

Keep all notices in a safe place for your records.

If You Miss a Reporting Deadline or Forget to Report

If you realize you missed a deadline or forgot to report a change:

1. Contact your county office right away.
2. Report the change and ask what you can do to correct the situation.
3. Be prepared for:
   • A possible overpayment that the county may collect later, or
   • Adjustments to your benefit amount

In many cases, acting quickly and cooperating with requests for information can help reduce complications.

If You Disagree With a Change to Your Benefits

If you report a change and then receive a notice reducing or stopping your CalFresh, you generally have the right to:

• Ask for an explanation from your county worker, and
• Request a fair hearing (also called an appeal) with the state.

The notice of action you receive usually explains:

• How to request a hearing
• The deadline for asking (often within a set number of days from the notice date)
• Whether you can request to keep getting your current benefit amount while the hearing is pending (and how that might affect you if the county’s decision is upheld)

To request a hearing, people commonly:

• Fill out and mail or fax the hearing request form that comes with the notice, or
• Call the phone number on the notice for hearing requests

Always read your notice carefully and follow the instructions provided by the official agency.

How to Confirm You’re Using Official Channels (Avoiding Scams)

Because CalFresh involves EBT cards and personal information, it’s important to make sure you are dealing with official government offices, not scammers.

Here are some ways to verify:

• Official websites:

  • Check that the site is clearly connected to your county department of social services / human services or the California Department of Social Services.
  • Avoid entering personal information on websites that look unofficial, ask for fees, or use unusual addresses.

• Phone calls:

  • If someone calls you asking for your EBT PIN, full Social Security number, or bank details, hang up and call your county office or the number on your EBT card directly.
  • Use phone numbers listed on official notices or on your county’s official website.

• Fees:

  • There is no fee to report a change, apply, or maintain CalFresh benefits through official channels.
  • If a site or person asks for money to “speed up” your case or “guarantee approval,” treat it as a red flag.

If you are not sure which office or portal is official:

• Call 211 (in many California areas) to ask for the county social services department number.
• Check your old CalFresh letters for official contact information and use those only.

Other Resources If You Need Help

If you need extra help beyond food benefits, you may also consider reaching out to:

• Community food banks or pantries
• Local nonprofit organizations that help with forms and paperwork
• Legal aid organizations if you need help with appeals or complicated issues
• 211 for referrals to nearby assistance programs

These organizations are separate from HowToGetAssistance.org. You would need to contact them or your county directly for services or case help.

Reporting changes to CalFresh in California mainly comes down to three steps: know what you must report, know your deadlines, and use your county’s official channels to share updated information. When in doubt, contact your county CalFresh office and ask what applies to your specific case.