Rising food prices have eroded CalFresh increases

Changes since July 2019

$ change % change

NOTES: Solid lines on chart adjusted for inflation to July 2022, using Bureau of Labor Statistics seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) food at home series. Maximum benefits shown for a family of three. Average benefits reflect total month issuance over all CalFresh cases, regardless of the number of household members; January to March 2021 shows quarterly rather than monthly average, since the large dollar amount of issuance in February 2021 likely indicates delays in issuing January increases rather than real changes in benefit amounts. Issuance data unavailable past May 2022; May 2022 amounts exclude Imperial and Siskiyou counties. Issuance totals after March 2020 may be inconsistent and should be interpreted with caution.