Bringing CalFresh Enrollment Directly to Older Adults in San Diego County

Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD) operates a CalFresh Outreach (CFO) program focused on helping low-income individuals and families access nutrition assistance. In San Diego County, many older adults living in residential housing sites experience food insecurity and also face barriers to enrolling in CalFresh, including limited transportation, language challenges, and difficulty navigating the application process. CCDSD’s CFO program works directly in the community to reduce these barriers by providing in-person CalFresh education, screenings, and application assistance in the places where older adults already live.

To address these challenges, the CFO team partners with residential housing sites serving older adults and brings CalFresh Outreach services directly on-site. Outreach staff conduct scheduled visits that include CalFresh education, eligibility screenings, and hands-on application assistance. The team supports clients by explaining CalFresh benefits in clear and simple language, screening households for eligibility, assisting with applications from start to finish, helping clients gather required documents, and following up with the County when additional information is needed.

Some participants initially express hesitation due to past experiences with complex paperwork or uncertainty about eligibility. The CFO team addresses these concerns by offering one-on-one support, answering questions in real time, and reassuring clients throughout the process. By providing services in a familiar and trusted setting, the program helps older adults feel comfortable seeking assistance. As a result, participants who have not previously applied for CalFresh successfully submit applications with confidence.

This outreach approach proves effective because it meets older adults where they live and reduces common barriers to enrollment. Through on-site CalFresh Outreach activities, CCDSD’s CFO program increases access to nutrition assistance for seniors who might otherwise go unserved. The program continues to strengthen partnerships with residential housing sites and expands outreach visits to additional locations, ensuring more eligible older adults can access CalFresh benefits and improve their food security.