How to apply for Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) — free food through local food banks in California

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.

What you'll need

• A signed self-declaration of household income at the distribution site (no proof required)

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Check that your household income is within the program guideline and that you live in the area served by a local food bank. The income limit is based on household size, and the agency's chart is the final word for your household.
2. Find the approved food bank for your county on the California emergency food page.
3. Check that food bank's local distribution sites and schedules.
4. Go to the nearest pantry or distribution site that serves your area.
5. Sign the short self-declaration of household income at the site. No proof of income is required.
6. Receive food if the site confirms you qualify. Food may also be available to anyone in a declared disaster.

What to expect: After you go to a distribution site and sign the income statement, the site will use your household size and the program income chart to decide if you qualify. Each food bank sets its own sites and schedules, so details can vary by location. To keep getting food, sign the income statement again each program year.

Renewals

ongoing; sign the income statement each program year