The state’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is called CalFresh. gives low-income people monthly funds so they can buy food.
An electronic card is used to issue the funds, making it possible to access them without actual currency.
Over 5 million users were served in November 2024, with an average of 3.3 million families in California, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s 2025–2026 budget.
This number illustrates the ongoing demand for the program, which is thought to be crucial for the state’s vulnerable communities’ food security.
When can you expect to get your May 2025 EBT/CalFresh benefits?
The Legislative Analyst’s Office observes that a sizeable amount of the state budget is allocated to benefit distributions.
Although it does not anticipate significant changes in the near future, the report provides spending predictions and the implications of potential adjustments in the COLA.
CalFresh payments for May 2025 will be disbursed from the first to the tenth of each month, as per the regular timetable. The final digit of each beneficiary’s case number determines the precise date.
This approach aims to ensure benefits are delivered in an orderly manner without causing the payment system to become overloaded.
The final digit of the case number serves as the basis for the credit schedule. Cases that finish in 1 are uploaded on May 1st, those that end in 2 on May 2nd, and those that end in 0 on May 10th.
Month after month, this distribution is made with no notable modifications.
For instance, the amount will be credited on May 3 to a beneficiary whose case ends in 3, and on May 10 to a beneficiary whose case ends in 0.
The money can be used right away to buy groceries because it is loaded straight onto the EBT card. The ten payment days for May are as follows:
| Case Ending Digit | Case End Date |
| 1 | May 1, 2025 |
| 2 | May 2, 2025 |
| 3 | May 3, 2025 |
| 4 | May 4, 2025 |
| 5 | May 5, 2025 |
| 6 | May 6, 2025 |
| 7 | May 7, 2025 |
| 8 | May 8, 2025 |
| 9 | May 9, 2025 |
| 0 | May 10, 2025 |
What are the upper limits for CalFresh and SNAP?
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the federal SNAP benefits program, and here is the list of maximum amounts for CalFresh, which is comparable.
The following values are applicable to California, the other 48 contiguous states, and Washington, DC:
| Household Size | Monthly SNAP Benefit |
| 1 person | $292 |
| 2 people | $536 |
| 3 people | $768 |
| 4 people | $975 |
| 5 people | $1,158 |
| 6 people | $1,390 |
| 7 people | $1,536 |
| 8 people | $1,756 |
| Each additional person | $+220 |
The maximum amounts were modified in 2025 to reflect the rising cost of living (COLA).
These COLA-derived increases are yearly adjustments intended to preserve the true value of the benefits rather than extra payments of an extraordinary kind.
Other than standard adjustments, there is no indication of any special supplemental credits for May 2025.
Read Also: Double SSI Payments for Couples: How You Could Get Up to $2,900 in May 2025
Other initiatives that might provide money for groceries
For select CalFresh households, qualifying children will get $40 each month in June, July, and August 2025 through the SUN Bucks program.
May subscriptions are unaffected by this summer program, which increases resources during designated times.
Similarly, a minimum benefit pilot program that is planned for October 2025 will raise benefits for some participants from $23 to $50. Since this measure’s implementation aligns with later phases of the state plan, May benefits are unaffected.
For comprehensive information, SBeneficiaries are urged to check BenefitsCal for their status and payment dates or get in touch with their local CalFresh office. Depending on current regulations, unused amounts can stay on the EBT card for up to a year.
