Food Resources

CalFresh (SNAP) & EBT

CalFresh helps improve the nutrition of people in low-income households  by increasing their food-buying power. With  CalFresh benefits in hand, you can spend more at the grocery store, local farmers markets, and online retailers such as Walmart and Amazon with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

Am I eligible for CalFresh?

Here are the eligibility and reporting requirements related to obtaining CalFresh. If you feel like you are eligible but have been denied status, please contact  Legal Aid Foundation of LA – Long Beach Office.

The federal government offers this online pre-screening tool you can take at home to see if you are eligible for benefits. The quick chart below can also give you a sense of whether your household may be eligible.

How do I apply for CalFresh?

In Long Beach, the following organizations offer face-to-face or Zoom assistance in getting signed up.

The Childrens Clinic  (562) 933-0511
Help Me Help You  (562) 612- 5001
CSULB Drop-in
LBCC Basic Needs Team (562) 938-4241

WIC

WIC is the federal government’s health and nutrition support program for women, infants and children. WIC helps families buy eggs, milk and other essential healthy foods to grow healthy babies and children and support a mother’s health during child rearing.

Am I eligible for WIC?

WIC’s eligibility requirements are described here. California’s State website also provides this nifty WIC Self-Assessment test you can take online.

How do I apply for WIC?

Contact the City’s WIC program at (562) 570-4242 or email at health-wic@longbeach.gov, visit their site, and take the self-assessment here.
Due to Covid-19, WIC centers are no longer taking personal visits.

What can I use it for?

Many staple foods can be purchased through WIC, and the list has been expanded during Covid-19.

FREE FOOD RESOURCES

There are many more free food resources available throughout the city. We are here to help you find them. In addition to the resources listed below, the City of Long Beach hosts a hotline at (562) 570-4246