Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 7/31/26
The CalFresh F&V EBT Pilot Project is temporarily paused.
More funding was recently approved as part of the Budget Act of 2026, and the pilot will resume later this year, additional updates, including the next start date of the pilot, will be posted as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable (CF&V) EBT Pilot Project is currently paused. During the pause, participants will no longer earn new CF&V incentive dollars when purchasing eligible fruits and vegetables at participating locations. $20 million in additional funding for operation of the CF&V Pilot was included in the California Budget Act of 2026. The CF&V EBT pilot will restart later this year.
What is changing?
Eligible participants are not receiving new CF&V incentive dollars at participating retailers and farmers’ markets while the project is paused. Previously earned incentive benefits remaining on EBT cards may still be used until they expire. Once the program restarts, eligible participants will again be able to earn CF&V incentives at participating locations.
Why did the pilot pause?
The pilot was paused to ensure that the CF&V incentives did not abruptly end due to lack of funding. With additional funding provided through the California Budget Act of 2026, CDSS, the CF&V grantees, and participating retailers are working together to restart the program as soon as possible.
Who is eligible?
All current and former CalFresh households with an active EBT food balance who shop at participating retailers and farmers’ markets are eligible. While the project is paused, no additional CF&V incentives will be issued. Previously earned incentive benefits remaining on EBT cards may still be used until they expire.
Where can I use the incentive?
While the incentive can only be earned at approved grocery stores and farmers’ markets participating in the pilot, once earned they can be used at any retailer that accepts CalFresh EBT cards. Previously earned CF&V incentive benefits may continue to be used anywhere CalFresh EBT benefits are accepted until the benefits expire.
How much can I receive?
You can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $60 per month when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. While the project is paused, participants will not receive new CF&V incentive dollars.
Do I need to sign up or complete any forms?
No application or forms are required. However, while the project is paused, no new CF&V incentive benefits will be issued.
What happens if I do not spend earned benefits?
Once earned, incentive benefits are yours to keep. You do not have to spend down your incentives to receive additional incentives the following month.
Your CalFresh benefits, including CF&V incentive benefits, only expire if you do not make an EBT food purchase for 270 days. Once they expire, you cannot get them back.
Does pausing the CF&V Pilot affect my regular CalFresh benefits?
No. Your CalFresh benefits will not change because of the CF&V Pilot pause.
Why does the ebtEDGE mobile app and cardholder portal still show Month-To-Date earned and redeemed incentives if the CF&V Pilot is paused?
The ebtEDGE mobile app and cardholder portal will continue to display $60 in maximum monthly incentives during the pause period. Earned and Redeemed incentives will stay at $0.00 until the program restarts and a qualifying purchase is made.
I purchased eligible fruits and vegetables but did not receive new incentive benefits. Why not?
During the pause, participants will not earn new CF&V incentives. The ebtEDGE mobile app and cardholder portal will only display incentives earned during the current month. However, previously earned incentive benefits from prior months are included in the available balance for food benefits and can be spent on food purchases.
I do not have the "Month-To-Date Incentive Program Summary" listed on the ebtEDGE mobile app or cardholder portal. Does this mean the CF&V program is not available to me?
The Month-To-Date Incentive Program Summary only appears if a qualifying purchase of fruit and vegetables was ever made with a qualifying retailer. If you never made a qualifying purchase at a participating retailer, it will never appear.
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How do I know how much I earned?
Your transaction receipt will tell you how many nutrition incentive dollars you've earned today and how much you have earned this month. All you need to do next time is to swipe your CalFresh EBT card like you normally would.
Do the nutrition incentives that I have earned expire?
The nutrition incentives that you have earned don't expire. You can spend them next time you buy groceries. You can keep track of nutrition dollars that you have earned on your receipts or you can call the EBT Customer Service Helpline at (877) 328-9677 or go online at https://www.ebt.ca.gov/cardholder/
Can I spend the nutrition incentives that I have earned anywhere else?
You can spend your nutrition incentive dollars that you have earned anywhere you can use your CalFresh EBT card.
Can I spend my nutrition incentives that I have earned on fruits and vegetables too?
Yes, the CalFresh EBT nutrition incentive dollars that you have earned can be spent on any CalFresh EBT eligible food. That includes fruit and vegetables, bread, grains, nuts, dairy, meat, etc.
Do you have information about the pilot/program in other languages other than English?
Yes, we have information in English and Spanish about how the program works.
Do I have to earn all of the $60 maximum in one transaction?
No, you can earn nutrition incentive dollars anytime during the month to earn up to $60. The following month you will be able to earn another $60, as well as spend any nutrition incentive dollars that you have not spent from the previous months, since they carry over each month, until they are spent.
How long will this pilot program be operating?
Since this is a pilot program, it'll be available until the funds for this program runs out.
Do I have to redeem my earned benefit today?
You can redeem your earned benefits on any future transaction.
When will the nutrition incentives be available on my card?
Nutrition incentive dollars get added into your EBT card immediately after completing a qualifying purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables with your CalFresh EBT Card.
Can I earn incentives by using my eWIC card?
No, the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot Project is only for CalFresh EBT recipients.
I am a CalFresh EBT recipient, but not an eWIC recipient. Can I still shop the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot Project at your stores?
Yes, you do not have to be on the eWIC program to shop at our stores. If you are not on the eWIC program, but are a CalFresh EBT recipient, you can shop under the pilot project at our stores.
Do I have to be on eWIC to shop at your stores?
No, we are open to the public and accept: cash, credit, debit, eWIC, EBT, and SUN Bucks.
How can I provide input or feedback on this program?
Every time you earn incentive dollars, your transaction receipt will include information on how you can participate in a survey to provide input and feedback on the program.
All you need to do is to scan the QR code at the bottom of your receipt with the camera on your cell phone and you will be able to participate in the survey. You can also access the survey link via the EBT cardholder portal at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6941225/EBT/
Other Questions
I bought fruits and vegetables, but my receipt does not say I earned any extra benefits. Why is this?
To get the dollar for dollar match, you have to buy any FRESH fruits and vegetables on your CalFresh EBT card.
I bought $10 of fresh fruits and vegetables, but my receipt says I only earned $5. Why did I not earn $10?
You can only earn as much as you spend on your CalFresh EBT benefits, up to $60 a month. For example, if you only have $5 of CalFresh EBT benefits, you will only earn $5 of nutrition incentives. You cannot earn on anything that wasn't paid for with your CalFresh EBT card.
My receipt doesn't say I have earned any nutrition incentives, but I bought fresh fruits and vegetables. Why did I not earn any incentives?
Your receipt will show the nutrition incentives that you've earned until you reach your monthly maximum of $60. Once you reach your $60 maximum for the month, you can't earn any additional incentives, even if you buy any fresh fruits and vegetables with your CalFresh EBT benefits. However, you will be able to start earning nutrition incentives when you buy any fresh fruits and vegetables the following month.
Are purchases made with SUN Bucks eligible to receive CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot program incentive dollars?
No. Sun Bucks transactions are not eligible to earn the additional fruit and vegetable incentive. The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot program incentives are only given when purchases are made using a CalFresh EBT card.
Can I use my CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot program incentive dollars with my SUN Bucks?
Yes. You are welcome to redeem your CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot program incentive dollars when you use your SUN Bucks card, just let a team player know at the time of purchase.