January 2026 CalFresh Payment Schedule (Exact EBT Deposit Dates)

Q: Why is my payment date different from my neighbor's?

In California, your payment date depends on the last digit of your case number. It is not based on where you live. All 58 counties use this same system to send out money over the first 10 days of the month.

Q: Will New Year's Day delay my January 2026 benefits?

No, your benefits will not be late. The EBT system is automatic. Even though banks and offices are closed, your money will arrive on your regular scheduled day, usually by 5:00 a.m.

Q: How do I check how much money is on my EBT card?

You can check your balance at the bottom of your last receipt, by calling (877) 328-9677, via the BenefitsCal website, or by using the EBT Edge app.

Q: What should I do if I lose my EBT card?

Call (877) 328-9677 right away to cancel your card. A new card will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 days. In 2026, most new cards include a secure chip to help prevent benefit theft.

Q: When do I need to report a change in my income?

You must report changes within 10 days if your income goes above your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT), or if someone moves in or out of your home.

Q: Can I use my California EBT card in another state?

Yes, you can use your card at any store in the U.S. that takes EBT. However, you must still live in California to keep getting benefits.

Q: What happens if my food spoils because the power went out?

You can ask for 'replacement benefits.' You must report the loss to your county office within 10 days of the food spoiling and fill out a required form.

If you receive CalFresh food benefits in California, knowing exactly when your EBT card will be loaded is essential for budgeting groceries and household expenses.

For January 2026, CalFresh payments will be issued between January 1 and January 10, based on the last digit of your case number.

The CalFresh program (California’s SNAP) uses a staggered payment system to prevent delays and system overload. Once your benefits are issued, funds are deposited directly onto your EBT card and are typically available early in the morning on your assigned date.

Below is the official and accurate January 2026 CalFresh payment schedule, followed by important details every recipient should know.

Page Contents

1 January 2026 CalFresh Payment Schedule Table
- 1.1 Important January 2026 CalFresh Information
2 How CalFresh Payment Dates Work (Briefly)
3 January 2026 Holiday Considerations
4 How to Check Your CalFresh Balance & Payment Status
5 Who Is Eligible for January 2026 CalFresh Benefits
- 5.1 Basic Eligibility Rules
6 California EBT (CalFresh) FAQs 2026
7 Important Disclaimer
8 Conclusion

January 2026 CalFresh Payment Schedule Table

Payments are staggered based on the last digit of your case number.

You can find your case number on the front or back of your EBT card.

Skip the first two characters to identify the 7-character case number, then look at the last digit.

Last Digit of Case Number	January 2026 Payment Date
1	Thursday, January 1, 2026
2	Friday, January 2, 2026
3	Saturday, January 3, 2026
4	Sunday, January 4, 2026
5	Monday, January 5, 2026
6	Tuesday, January 6, 2026
7	Wednesday, January 7, 2026
8	Thursday, January 8, 2026
9	Friday, January 9, 2026
0	Saturday, January 10, 2026

Important January 2026 CalFresh Information

Availability: CalFresh benefits are typically available on your EBT card by 5:00 a.m. on your scheduled payment date.
Weekends & Holidays: Benefits are scheduled for the dates listed above. While deposits often still post on weekends and holidays (including New Year’s Day), some counties may process payments on the previous business day.
Balance & Management: You can check your balance and transaction history through the official BenefitsCal website or your EBT cardholder portal managed by the California Department of Social Services.
Other Benefits: CalWORKs (Cash Aid) payments are usually deposited earlier, typically between January 1 and January 3, depending on your county.

How CalFresh Payment Dates Work (Briefly)

Many people ask why their CalFresh payment date is different from others. The reason is simple.

California uses a staggered payment system. This system spreads payments out over several days. It helps avoid system overload and long lines at grocery stores.

Your payment date depends on one thing only:

The last digit of your case number

It does not depend on:

Your ZIP code
Your county
The date you applied

The CalFresh schedule runs the same way across the state. Benefits are issued over a 10-day period, from the 1st through the 10th of each month. This rule applies to all 58 counties in California.

January 2026 Holiday Considerations

Because January benefits start on New Year’s Day, many people worry about delays. In most cases, there is no delay.

Will New Year’s Day Delay CalFresh?

No. CalFresh EBT deposits are automated. Even though government offices and banks close on January 1, benefits usually post on time.

If your case number ends in 1, you should still receive your benefits on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as scheduled.

What About Weekends?

Weekends work the same way.

Saturday and Sunday deposits usually post on time
Your EBT card should load on your scheduled date, even on weekends

What to Do If Benefits Don’t Appear

If your benefits do not show up by 6:00 a.m. on your payment date:

Log in to BenefitsCal and check your case status
Make sure your case is active
If the case is active but your balance is still zero, call California EBT Customer Service at (877) 328-9677

These steps help fix most issues quickly and reduce stress during the holidays.

How to Check Your CalFresh Balance & Payment Status

You can check your CalFresh balance at any time. The California Department of Social Services manages the EBT system and offers several easy options.

Quick Checklist to Check Your Balance

Online: Log in to the official BenefitsCal website to view your balance and recent transactions
Mobile App: Download the EBT Edge app from the App Store or Google Play
Phone: Call (877) 328-9677 and enter your 16-digit EBT card number
Store Receipt: Check the bottom of your last grocery receipt after a purchase

When Do CalFresh Benefits Post?

Benefits usually post by 5:00 a.m. PST on your scheduled payment date

What to Do If Benefits Are Missing

If your balance does not update by 6:00 a.m.:

Check your case status on BenefitsCal
Confirm your case is active
Call California EBT Customer Service at (877) 328-9677 if the issue continues

These steps solve most payment problems quickly.

Who Is Eligible for January 2026 CalFresh Benefits

Many people ask if they will receive benefits in January. The answer depends on your case status.

Basic Eligibility Rules

Active Case: Your CalFresh case must be active and not closed or suspended
Recertification: You must complete recertification on time. If it was due in December 2025 or January 2026 and you missed it, benefits may stop
Reporting Changes: You must report changes in income, address, or household size within 10 days

Missing reports or recertification can delay or stop benefits.

If you are unsure about your status, contact your county caseworker or visit the California Department of Social Services CalFresh program website for help.

This keeps your benefits on track and avoids payment gaps.

California EBT (CalFresh) FAQs 2026

Why is my payment date different from my neighbor’s?

In California, your payment date depends on the last digit of your case number. It is not based on where you live. This helps stores stay stocked so everyone can find food. All 58 counties use the same system to send out money over the first 10 days of the month.

Will New Year’s Day delay my January 2026 benefits?

No, your benefits will not be late because of the holiday. The EBT system is automatic. Even though banks and offices are closed, your money will arrive on your regular scheduled day. Most people see their funds by 5:00 a.m. on their date. If it is late, call the help number.

How do I check how much money is on my EBT card?

There are four easy ways to check your balance. You can look at the bottom of your last store receipt. You can also call the helpline at (877) 328-9677. Many people use the BenefitsCal website or the EBT Edge app on their phone. All these ways are free to use.

What should I do if I lose my EBT card?

Call (877) 328-9677 right away to cancel your old card. This stops anyone else from spending your food money. You will get a new card in the mail, which usually takes 5 to 10 days. In 2026, most new cards have a secure chip to help stop thieves from stealing your benefits.

When do I need to report a change in my income?

You must report changes within 10 days if your income goes above a certain limit. This limit is called your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). You should also tell your worker if someone moves in or out of your home. Keeping this updated ensures you get the right amount of money for food each month.

Can I use my California EBT card in another state?

Yes, you can use your card at any store in the United States that takes EBT. However, you must still live in California to keep getting benefits. If you use your card outside of California for a long time, the county might ask if you have moved. Always report a new address within 10 days.

What happens if my food spoils because the power went out?

If a storm or fire causes a power outage, you can ask for “replacement benefits.” You must report the loss to your county office within 10 days of the food spoiling. You will need to fill out a form to show what happened. The county can then put money back on your card.

Looking for SNAP Payment Dates in Other States?
CalFresh covers California only. If you want to see January 2026 SNAP payment dates for other states, including deposit schedules by state, you can view the full nationwide breakdown here:
January 2026 SNAP payment dates by state

Important Disclaimer

The January 2026 CalFresh payment dates listed in this article follow standard CalFresh issuance rules used across California.

Payment dates may change due to:

Policy updates
System maintenance or technical issues
County-level processing problems

Always verify your payment details with official sources such as BenefitsCal or the California Department of Social Services to get the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Conclusion

CalFresh benefits for January 2026 will be issued from January 1 through January 10, based on the last digit of your case number. Most EBT deposits post by early morning, even on weekends and holidays like New Year’s Day.

To avoid problems:

Know your scheduled payment date
Check your balance early on payment day
Keep your case active and complete recertification on time
Report changes quickly

If something does not look right, check BenefitsCal first and contact EBT Customer Service if needed. Staying informed helps you plan ahead and make the most of your CalFresh benefits.