Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 9/14/26
The CalFresh F&V EBT Pilot Project will restart on Thursday, October 1st, 2026.
More funding was recently approved as part of the Budget Act of 2026. The pilot program will continue to operate while funding is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable (CF&V) EBT Pilot Project will start again on October 1, 2026.
What is changing?
Any benefits already earned and still on your EBT card can still be used. When the program restarts, people who qualify can earn CF&V incentives again retailers that are part of the program.
Will the pilot pause again?
The CF&V pilot project resumes October 1, 2026 and will continue as long as funding is available. CDSS will share updates on their webpage if there are changes to the pilot.
Who can earn the incentive?
Anyone who currently gets CalFresh or used to get CalFresh and still has a balance of EBT food benefits, can earn CF&V benefits if they purchase eligible items at participating retailer locations.
Where can I use the incentive?
You can earn the incentive benefit only at approved stores and farmers’ markets. But once you earn it, you can spend it anywhere that accepts CalFresh EBT. Benefits you earned before can still be used anywhere CalFresh is accepted until they expire.
How much can I get?
In addition to your monthly CalFresh allotment, you may earn up to $60 in incentive benefits each month. The pilot program will match the amount you spend on fruits and vegetables, dollar for dollar. 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, you don't need to sign up or fill anything out.
What happens if I do not spend earned benefits?
Like with conventional CalFresh benefits, CF&V incentive benefits only expire if you don't use your EBT card for food purchases for 270 days. Once they expire, you cannot get them back.
I bought eligible fruits and vegetables but did not receive new incentive benefits. Why not?
You can only earn benefits when the CF&V pilot program is operating and at participating locations. If the store was not participating or the program was paused, incentive food benefits will not be provided. The ebtEDGE app displays incentives earned during each month, but older, unspent benefits are still visible in the food benefits.
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?
This Summary only appears if you ever made a qualifying fruit and vegetables purchase at a participating retailer. If you haven't made a purchase this month, it won't show up.
_____________________________________
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.