How to apply for Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) — free food through local food banks in California
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) — Emergency Food Assistance Program (the federal TEFAP in California), distributed through approved food banks
Who it's for
EFAP gives free USDA food to low-income Californians through approved food banks and their local pantries and distribution sites. You qualify if your household income is within the federal guideline for the program (about 150% of the poverty level, $23,940 a year for one person in 2026) and you live in the area the food bank serves. There is no application to CDSS: find the approved food bank for your county on the CDSS emergency-food page, then go to its nearest distribution site and sign a short income statement. Food is also available to anyone in a declared disaster.
Each food bank runs its own distribution sites and schedules, and the income guideline is applied by household size at the site, so this shows as a may-qualify result. The agency's chart is the final word on the limit for your household.
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat you'll need
- A signed self-declaration of household income at the distribution site (no proof required)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
Renewals
ongoing; sign the income statement each program year
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.