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Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) (a free monthly USDA food box for Californians 60 and older): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next

CSFP gives Californians 60 and older a free monthly box of USDA Foods through eleven local food banks and community agencies. Household gross income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and the person must live in a participating agency’s county. You enroll with that local agency.

What CSFP is, in one paragraph

CSFP, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, is a federal food program that gives people 60 and older a monthly box of USDA Foods. In California the Department of Social Services runs it through eleven local agencies, mostly food banks, which decide eligibility, hand out the boxes and give nutrition education. The box holds shelf-stable staples: cereal, milk, juice, oats, rice, pasta, peanut butter, beans, canned meat and fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. It is supplemental: it does not provide a whole diet. A person can get CSFP and CalFresh at the same time.

$1,995 a month
the 2026 CSFP gross income limit for one person, 150% of the federal poverty guidelines (USDA FNA, rule:income_150_table)

Who may qualify

Three things decide it: age, county, and household income.

Age: 60 or older (rule:age_60).

County: the person must live in the service county of a California CSFP local agency (rule:county_resident). There are eleven (rule:local_agencies); the CDSS provider list names them.

Income: gross household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines (rule:income_150). Gross means before taxes and other deductions (rule:gross_income). In California the applicant self-declares income (rule:self_declare). Federal rules let a state accept CalFresh, SSI, Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program as proof of income (rule:adjunctive).

The 2026 table at 150% (rule:income_150_table):

Household sizeYearlyMonthlyWeekly
1$23,940$1,995$461
2$32,460$2,705$625
3$40,980$3,415$789
4$49,500$4,125$952
5$58,020$4,835$1,116
6$66,540$5,545$1,280
7$75,060$6,255$1,444
8$83,580$6,965$1,608
each additional+$8,520+$710+$164

When a local agency has no open slots it keeps a waiting list (rule:waiting_list).

How to apply, and what happens after

Enroll with the CSFP local agency for your county; the CDSS CSFP provider list names each one and its counties. Income is self-declared; age is checked at the first certification.

StageWhat happensDeadlineWhat loses people the box
ScreenAge, county, gross income at or below 150%MinutesUsing an old 130% figure
EnrollEnrollment with the local agencyAt the agency’s enrollment timeA full caseload: waiting list (rule:waiting_list)
BoxA monthly food box at a distribution siteMonthlyMissed pickups
RecertifyYearly recertification by phone, mail, fax or email; full review at 3 years (rule:cert_3_years)Every 12 monthsA missed recertification
HearingFair hearing after denial or discontinuance, asked in words or writingAt least 60 days from the notice (rule:hearing_60_days); within the 15-day advance notice to keep the box during the appeal (rule:aid_pending)Missing the window
The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
10 items
10 keys
"id""stage:discover"
"order"1
"name""Discover"
"what_happens""A person 60 or older learns that a monthly USDA food box exists and which food bank runs CSFP in their county"
"who_acts""Person / outreach"
"timeline""Any time after turning 60"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""CSFP runs through eleven local agencies only; a person outside their counties never hears of it"
"model_role""Name the local agency for the person’s county from the CDSS provider list"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:screen_eligibility"
"order"2
"name""Screen eligibility"
"what_happens""Check age 60+ (rule:age_60), county of residence (rule:county_resident) and gross income at or below 150% (rule:income_150_table)"
"who_acts""Person + model"
"timeline""Minutes"
"evidence""Date of birth, county, household size and gross monthly income"
"failure_mode""Using the older 130% figure and stopping"
"model_role""Run the 150% table; note CalFresh or SSI as possible adjunctive proof (rule:adjunctive)"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:gather_documents"
"order"3
"name""Gather documents"
"what_happens""Proof of age at the first certification; income is self-declared in California (rule:self_declare)"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""Before enrollment"
"evidence""ID showing date of birth; address"
"failure_mode""No ID showing age"
"model_role""List what the local agency asks for"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:complete_application"
"order"4
"name""Complete application"
"what_happens""Enroll with the local agency (food bank) for the county"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""At the agency’s enrollment time"
"evidence""Enrollment form with income self-declaration"
"failure_mode""Agency at caseload; waiting list (rule:waiting_list)"
"model_role""Find the agency’s phone and enrollment site"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:decision"
"order"5
"name""Decision"
"what_happens""The local agency certifies the person or places them on a waiting list (rule:local_agency_decides, rule:waiting_list)"
"who_acts""Local agency"
"timeline""At enrollment"
"evidence""Certification or waiting-list notice"
"failure_mode""Not asking where the person stands on the waiting list"
"model_role""Record the certification date to calendar the yearly recertification"
"automation_class""C"
10 keys
"id""stage:issuance_use"
"order"6
"name""Issuance / use"
"what_happens""A monthly food box picked up at a distribution site or delivered (rule:benefit_box)"
"who_acts""Participant or a proxy"
"timeline""Monthly"
"evidence""Participant card or name on the roster"
"failure_mode""Missed pickups"
"model_role""Track the distribution day and site"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:renew_recertify"
"order"7
"name""Renew / recertify"
"what_happens""Yearly recertification by phone, mail, fax or email; full review every three years (rule:cert_3_years)"
"who_acts""Participant + local agency"
"timeline""Every 12 months; full review at 3 years"
"evidence""Updated income and address"
"failure_mode""Missing the yearly recertification"
"model_role""Calendar the date and prepare the income statement"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:denial_response"
"order"8
"name""Denial response"
"what_happens""Read the notice of denial, discontinuance or disqualification"
"who_acts""Participant + model"
"timeline""Immediately; the hearing clock runs from the notice date"
"evidence""Notice of adverse action"
"failure_mode""Not knowing a verbal request is enough"
"model_role""Explain the notice against the rules; draft the request"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:appeal_fair_hearing"
"order"9
"name""Appeal / fair hearing"
"what_happens""Request a fair hearing by any clear spoken or written statement (rule:hearing_how); at least 60 days to ask (rule:hearing_60_days); food continues if appealed within the 15-day advance notice (rule:aid_pending)"
"who_acts""Participant or caretaker"
"timeline""60 days minimum to request"
"evidence""Notice, proof of age and income"
"failure_mode""Missing the 15-day window that keeps food coming"
"model_role""Draft the request and note both deadlines"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:exit"
"order"10
"name""Overpayment / exit"
"what_happens""Participation ends on moving out of the service county, income above the limit at recertification, or a claim after fraud found at a hearing"
"who_acts""Local agency"
"timeline""At recertification or on notice"
"evidence""Notice"
"failure_mode""Losing the box without moving to other food programs"
"model_role""Name CalFresh, the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and food banks (TEFAP)"
"automation_class""A"

The same facts open other programs

The facts CSFP asks for, date of birth, county and monthly gross income, and whether the person gets CalFresh, SSI, Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program, are the facts that open:

References (6)

Those connections are read from the California benefits graph, the object that holds all 80 programs, the life events that trigger them and the facts they share.

What this article shares with the graph
JSONWhat this article shares with the graph
6 keys
"program_id""B007"
"graph""california-benefits-graph"
"related_program_ids" 6 items
"B001"
"B023"
"B014"
"B013"
"B006"
"B008"
"related_programs" 6 keys
"B001""CalFresh (SNAP)"
"B023""SSI + California SSP"
"B014""Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy)"
"B013""Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI / QDWI)"
"B006""TEFAP + food bank network (Emergency Food Assistance)"
"B008""Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program"
"triggered_by_events" 1 item
"event:turning_65"
"shares_facts_with" 5 keys
"person.identity.date_of_birth" 5 items
"B001"
"B011"
"B013"
"B023"
"B063"
"person.address.residential.state" 6 items
"B001"
"B011"
"B021"
"B027"
"B043"
"B045"
"household.size" 6 items
"B001"
"B003"
"B011"
"B021"
"B045"
"B049"
"household.income.monthly_gross" 8 items
"B001"
"B003"
"B011"
"B021"
"B043"
"B044"
"B045"
"B060"
"benefits.currently_receiving[]" 4 items
"B001"
"B009"
"B043"
"B047"

Official addresses

Related pages
Beside
CalFresh (California food benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextSSI and California SSP (monthly cash for people 65 or older, blind or disabled with very low income): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedicare Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy for drug costs): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedicare Savings Programs (the state pays Medicare premiums: QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextTEFAP and California food banks (free emergency groceries): who qualifies, what you get, how to get it, and what happens nextSenior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (a $50 farmers’ market card each season for Californians 60 and older): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (18)
  1. Emergency Food Programs Section: CSFP — California Department of Social Services“CSFP is a USDA program administered by CDSS through partnerships with local agencies throughout California.”
  2. CSFP Fact Sheet 2026 — California Department of Social Services“Participants must have gross income at or below 150 percent of the current Federal”
  3. CSFP Fact Sheet 2026: residence — California Department of Social Services“Participants must reside in the local agency service county.”
  4. CSFP Fact Sheet 2026: food boxes — California Department of Social Services“Monthly food boxes include a variety of items such as cereal, non-fat dry and UHT milk, juice,”
  5. CSFP Fact Sheet 2026: providers — California Department of Social Services“The CSFP is operated through the following eleven local agencies in California:”
  6. California CSFP State Plan of Operation: income — California Department of Social Services“Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Applicants self-declare that they meet the income”
  7. California CSFP State Plan of Operation: certification period — California Department of Social Services“Certification periods last a total of three years, but client eligibility shall be recertified at”
  8. California CSFP State Plan of Operation: waiting lists — California Department of Social Services“waiting lists of eligible participants and restrict new certifications as necessary. Persons”
  9. California CSFP State Plan of Operation: referrals — California Department of Social Services“Each participant will be provided written information concerning CalFresh, SSI and other”
  10. CSFP Income Guidelines (2026) — USDA Food and Nutrition Administration“CSFP state agencies must implement the adjusted income guidelines immediately.”
  11. CSFP Factsheet — USDA Food and Nutrition Administration“Each state agency and ITO sets income limits for participants which must be at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.”
  12. CSFP Factsheet: local agencies — USDA Food and Nutrition Administration“Local agencies determine the eligibility of applicants, distribute the foods, and provide nutrition education.”
  13. 7 CFR 247.9(a): who is eligible — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register)“To be eligible for CSFP, individuals must be at least 60 years of age and meet the income eligibility requirements outlined in paragraph (b) of this section.”
  14. 7 CFR 247.9(b)(1): adjunctive income eligibility — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register)“the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Low Income Subsidy Program, or the Medicare Savings Programs.”
  15. 7 CFR 247.9(d)(1): income means gross income — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register)“Income means gross income before deductions for such items as income taxes, employees' social security taxes, insurance premiums, and bonds.”
  16. 7 CFR 247.33(d): time to request a fair hearing — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register)“The State or local agency must allow an individual at least 60 days from the date the agency mails or gives the individual the notification of adverse action to request a fair hearing.”
  17. 7 CFR 247.33(c): how to request a fair hearing — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register)“An individual or an individual's caretaker may request a fair hearing by making a clear expression, verbal or written, to a State or local agency official that an appeal of the adverse action is desired.”
  18. 7 CFR 247.33(f): benefits while the appeal is pending — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register)“Participants who appeal the discontinuance of program benefits within the 15-day advance notification period”