What Is the CF 27 Form Used For?
The CF 27 form is a CalFresh recertification form for California residents. Households that already get Non-Assistance CalFresh (NACF) benefits use this form to renew their eligibility. It is shorter and simpler than the full CalFresh application. The form collects updated details about your household, income, and living situation so the county can decide if your benefits will continue.
CalFresh is California's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program gives monthly Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) payments to eligible low-income people and families. The CF 27 form is part of the recertification cycle. Most NACF households must recertify every 12 months.
Who Needs to Complete the CF 27 Form?
NACF households under Quarterly Reporting or Prospective Budgeting must file the CF 27 form when their benefits are about to expire. Your county office will mail a notice with the form and a deadline. If you miss the deadline, your CalFresh benefits may stop until you reapply.
You likely need this form if:
- You get CalFresh benefits and do not receive CalWORKs or other public aid
- Your benefits end within 30 days
- Your county sent you a recertification packet with the CF 27 form
Call your county social services office if you are not sure whether you need the CF 27 or the standard CalFresh application form.
How to Fill Out the CF 27 Form Step by Step
Follow these steps to fill out the CF 27 form the right way:
- Write your full legal name, mailing address, and phone number in Section 1. Add an email address if your county accepts it.
- List all household members in Section 2. Write each person's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and how they are related to you.
- Report all monthly income in Section 3. Include wages, self-employment pay, Social Security, unemployment checks, and other regular income.
- List your monthly costs in Section 4. Include rent or mortgage, utility bills, childcare, and any court-ordered payments.
- Answer the change questions. Report new members, anyone who moved out, and any job or school changes.
- Read the rights and duties section on the last page. It explains what you must report and what happens if you give false information.
- Sign and date the form. All adults in your household may need to sign.
Documents You Need Before Starting
Collect these papers before you begin the CF 27 form to avoid delays:
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Pay stubs or work records for the past 30 days
- Self-employment records or tax returns if you run a business
- Rent or mortgage receipts
- Bills for power, gas, water, and heating or cooling
- Records of child support or alimony payments
- Papers that show any change in who lives in your home
- Immigration or citizenship papers for non-citizen household members
Where and When to Submit the CF 27 Form
Send the completed CF 27 form to your county CalFresh office before the deadline on your notice. Most counties let you submit by:
- Dropping it off at the county social services office
- Mailing it to the address on the form
- Using the county's online benefits site, if one exists
- Sending it by fax in some counties
Turn in the form before your current certification period ends. Late forms may cause a gap in your EBT payments. You will not receive benefits until the county finishes your renewal. If you have very low income or a food emergency, ask about faster processing. The county must act on urgent cases within three business days.
Common Mistakes When Filing the CF 27 Form
Many people make errors that slow down their renewal. Here are the most frequent problems:
- Blank required fields. Fill out every section that says "required." Leaving boxes empty forces the county to send the form back.
- Missing income. The county checks your reported pay against state and federal records. If you leave out a source, you may face a benefit cut or overpayment claim.
- No signature. A CF 27 form without a signature is treated as incomplete and will be returned.
- Late submission. If your form arrives after the deadline, you will need to start the full CalFresh application again.
- Old contact details. Keep your phone number and address current so the county can reach you for the recertification interview.
What Happens After You Submit?
After the county gets your CF 27 form, a worker reviews it. You will likely have a recertification interview. Most counties do this by phone, but you can request an in-person meeting.
The worker may ask you to prove some of the information on the form. Bring or mail extra documents if asked. After the review, you will receive a letter that says whether your benefits will continue, go up, go down, or stop. The whole process usually takes about 30 days from the date you submit the form.
If your renewal is approved, your CalFresh benefits continue with no break. If denied, the letter will explain why and how to appeal the decision.