are you tryingApply for California Food Stamps (CalFresh)and want to know if your income is eligible? In this post, we'll review the CalFresh income limits and show you how to use the income calculator to determine if you're eligible for benefits and how much you'll get if approved.
Most families and individuals who meet the CalFresh program income guidelines are eligible to apply. The amount of your benefits depends on your household income and certain expenses.
When determining eligibility forCalifornia Grocery Brand Benefits, the most important factor is the income limit. To be eligible for SNAP benefits, you must meet both gross and net income limits for your household size.
We'll help you calculate your gross and net income to determine if you meet the criteria for food assistance.
In this article we provide you with:
- CalFresh income limits for 2023
- How to calculate your gross household income
- Help in calculating your net household income
- How much do you get in food stamps
- Exceptions to CalFresh Income Limits
- Frequently asked questions about CalFresh
CalFresh income limits for 2023
CalFresh income limits for 2023 are based on total income and household size. To find out if your income meets the eligibility requirements, you must first calculate your household's gross monthly income.
Follow the steps below for instructions on how to calculate your gross monthly income.
How to calculate your gross income
The gross income of your household is the total income before taxes are deducted. If you're applying for California food stamp benefits, you'll need to determine your gross monthly income to see if you qualify.
Step 1
Determine your household size
A household is a group of people who regularly shop and eat groceries together. The people in a household do not have to be related to each other.
- Households can be as small as one person
- The same address can have more than one household
- You don't have to have a home to get food stamps
step 2
Collect your monthly earned income
Earned income is any qualifying income that you have earned before taxes within a given one-month period. For the California food stamp income limit, earned income includes any of the following:
- Wages or salaries derived from a job
- Income from self-employment (after deductible business expenses)
- Income from tenants, roommates or boarders (after operating costs)
- Any income from rental properties (minus operating expenses)
- Social Security Payments
step 3
Add your earned income to calculate monthly gross income
Once you've determined all of your sources of income, add them all together. This results in the total monthly gross income of your household.
step 4
Determine if your gross monthly income is eligible
Now that you have your gross monthly income, you can see if your income qualifies for California food stamps. Use the chart and follow the steps below to determine your eligibility.
- Start by finding your household size in the table.
- Once you have determined your household size, look in the next column for the maximum gross income for your household size.
- If the maximum allowable gross income is more than your total gross income, you may be eligible for California food stamps.
- If the maximum allowable gross income is less than your total gross income, you may not be eligible for California food stamps.
CalFresh income limit chart for 2023
Most households must have a gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL) to be eligible for CalFresh.
If there is a person living in your household who is 60 years or older or disabled, only the net income limit has to be observed.
| California SNAP (CalFresh) Fiscal Year 2023 Income Eligibility Standards | ||
| Valid from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 | ||
| household size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2.266 | 1.133 $ |
| 2 | 3.052 $ | 1.526 $ |
| 3 | 3.839 $ | 1.920 $ |
| 4 | 4.625 $ | 2.313 $ |
| 5 | $5.412 | 2.706 $ |
| 6 | 6.199 $ | 3.100 $ |
| 7 | 6.985 $ | $3.493 |
| 8 | $7.772 | $3.886 |
| Each additional household member: Add | $787 | $394 |
Calculate your monthly net income
After you have successfully determined your monthly gross income, you need to calculate your monthly net income.
For help calculating your net monthly income for the California food stamp income limit, read below.
How to calculate your net income
Net income for CalFresh income limits is your household's total gross monthly income less all allowable expenses.
All allowable expenses should be deducted from your gross monthly income. To find out what all allowable deductions are, read below.
Allowable Deductions for Net Income
To calculate your net monthly income, you must subtract the approved household expenses. Here are the expenses that can be deducted from your household's gross income:
CalFreshinclude deductions:
- 20% deduction from earned income,
- A standard deduction of $193 for households of 1-4 members,
- A standard deduction of $225 for a 5 member household,
- Standard deduction of $258 for a household of 6 or more members,
- Child care costs if needed for work, job search or training for work,
- Medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled household members,
- Court-ordered child support paid to non-household members, and
- Part of the accommodation (rent or mortgage) and utilities
CalFresh default deduction amount
When determining your eligibility for California food stamps, take a standard deduction from your total household income. The standard deduction amount is based on two factors – the size of your household and where you live.
To find out what your standard deduction will be, use the SNAP FY2023 standard deduction table below:
| CalFresh standard deductions for fiscal year 2023 | |
| Valid from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 | |
| household size | standard deduction |
| 1-2 | $193 |
| 3 | $193 |
| 4 | $193 |
| 5 | $225 |
| 6+ | +258 $ |
Calculation of net income with allowable deductions
Step 1
Subtract any allowable deductions
After you determine the allowable deductions for your household, subtract them (in that order) from your total gross monthly income. In this way you get the total monthly net income of your household.
If you need additional help with this, use the following example:
| How to Calculate SNAP Net Income | |
| Calculation of net income: | Example for a 4-person household: |
| Subtract 20% earned income… | $2,050 gross income |
| Subtract regular deduction... | $1,750 - $193 standard deduction for a 4 person household = $1,557 |
| Subtract care allowance... | $1,557 - $362 dependent care = $1,195 |
| Deduction from child support... | $0 |
| Deduct Medical Expenses over $35 for Elderly and Disabled… | $0 |
| Removal of canopies... | See below |
| Find half of adjusted income... | $1,195 adjusted income/2 = $598 |
| Determine if housing costs are more than half of adjusted income... | $700 total housing – $598 (half income) = $102 additional cost of housing |
| Deduct excess amount, but no more than limit, from adjusted income… | $1,195 – $102 = $1,093 monthly net income |
| Take the Net Income Test... | Since $1,093 is less than the $2,313 allowed for a 4-person household, this household passed the income test. |
step 2
Determine if your net monthly income is eligible
Now that you have your net monthly income, you can see if your income qualifies for California food stamps. Use the chart and follow the steps below to determine your eligibility.
- Start by finding your household size in the table.
- Once you have determined your household size, look in the last column for the maximum net income for your household size.
- If the allowable net income is more than your total net income, you may be eligible for California food stamps.
- If the allowable net income is less than your total net income, you may not be eligible for California food stamps.
| household size | Monthly Net Income Limit |
| 1 | 1.133 $ |
| 2 | 1.526 $ |
| 3 | 1.920 $ |
| 4 | 2.313 $ |
| 5 | 2.706 $ |
| 6 | 3.100 $ |
| 7 | $3.493 |
| 8 | $3.886 |
| Each additional household member: Add | $394 |
If you've determined that your gross and net income qualifies for food assistance benefits and want to know how much you can expect to receive, continue below.
How much food stamps do I get?
Once you've determined that you qualify for food stamps, you'll probably want to know how many benefits your household will receive monthly. See the table below for details. You will find that the maximum benefits you can receive depend on the number of people in your household.
| Maximum SNAP benefit amount by household size for fiscal year 2023 | |
| Valid from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 | |
| household size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allocation |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | 1.116 $ |
| 6 | 1.339 $ |
| 7 | 1.480 $ |
| 8 | 1.691 $ |
| Each additional household member: Add | $211 |
Note:The awards described herein are for California households
Check out the example SNAP benefit calculation below:
| benefit calculation | example |
|---|---|
| Multiply net income by 30%... (round up) | $1,093 monthly net income x 0.3 = 327.9 (round up to $328) |
| Subtract 30% of net income from household size ceiling… | $939 maximum allocation for a 4-person household - $328 (30% of net income) = $611,SNAP Allocationfor a whole month |
CalFresh Income Limit Exceptions
If all members of your household are on TANF, SSI, or in some places general assistance, you don't have to pass the food stamp income test.
Additionally, while most households are required to pass both the gross and net income tests, if you live in a household where there is an elderly person or a person receiving certain types of disability payments, then that household will do soonly need to pass the Net Income Test to qualify for California Food Stamps (SNAP Benefits)..
How to apply for CalFresh
There are 3 ways you can apply for food stamps in California.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through getcalfresh.org California account (as shown in the image below). If you have an account, you can login or create your getcalfresh.org account.click hereto take over the website.
Option 2 – Apply to a CDSS office near you
You can apply in person at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) office near you.click hereto find a CDSS office.
Option 3 – Download the California Food Stamps Application
You canDownloadan application, fill it out and mail it to your district CDSS office or submit it in person.
CalFresh Customer Service
If you need additional help with your online California Grocery Stamps account, need assistance with applying, or have a question about your benefits, please contact the California CDSS Customer Call Center.
You can call the CDSS at 1-877-847-3663.
How long does it take to get approved for CalFresh?
Once you have submitted a complete application, your caseworker will schedule an interview with you to review your application information and to ask any questions you may have about the information you have submitted.
Generally, your food stamp application will be decided within 30 days from the day you submit a COMPLETE application.
What is the CalFresh EBT card?
The California EBT Card, also calledGolden State Advantage-Karteused to manage your monthly benefits.
If you're food stamp eligible, you'll receive your monthly food stamp allotment each month on a California EBT card, which works like a debit card.
When will CalFresh EBT be deposited in California?
Generally, your EBT payment is available at midnight on your payment date.
In the state of California, Food Stamps Benefits are credited to EBT cards for the first 10 days of each month. When your meal voucher benefit is deposited on your EBT card depends on the last digit of your case number. Here is the payment schedule based on the last digit of your case number:
| If your case number ends in | Benefits are deposited on the |
| 1 | 1st of the month |
| 2 | 2nd of the month |
| 3 | 3rd of the month |
| 4 | 4th of the month |
| 5 | 5th of the month |
| 6 | 6th of the month |
| 7 | 7th of the month |
| 8 | 8th of the month |
| 9 | 9th of the month |
| 0 | 10th of the month |
Frequently asked questions about CalFresh grocery brands
Here are the most frequently asked questions about California food stamps.
Who can get CalFresh benefits?
If you have a low income, you may be eligible for CalFresh benefits whether you work or not. See income limit above for gross and net income requirements.
What can you buy with CalFresh?
CalFresh can be used to purchase any food or food product made for human consumption. Exceptions to this are hot meals or counter items prepared or heated in the shop.
CalFresh also benefitscan notused to purchase non-food items such as soap, toilet paper, shampoo, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, vitamins or medicines and pet food.
However, you can use your California SNAP EBT Card to purchase seeds and plants for use in home gardens for food production.
Can SSI/SSP recipients receive CalFresh?
From June 1stst, 2019, SSI/SSP recipients may be eligible to receive CalFreshadditionallyto receive a monthly Social Security Disability Benefit.
Can I get CalFresh just for myself if I live with my family or with others?
People who live together and shop for groceries and prepare meals together aregroupedas "household". Husbands and wives and their children under the age of 22 must form a household.
Can I get CalFresh if I'm not a US citizen?
You may be eligible if you are a "qualified" non-citizen. These include permanent legal residents (green card holders), refugees, asylum seekers (persons who have been granted asylum), and persons who have been denied deportation or deportation.
In addition, Cuban/Haitian entrants, persons released by immigration authorities to the United States for at least one year, conditional entrants (temporary Green Card).
In addition, certain victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking (T visa) and U visa/interim relief applicants are also affectedsuitablefor CalFresh.
Can I get CalFresh if I'm a student?
Students aged 18 to 49 with at least half their enrollment in college or other higher education, studentsmaybe capable of itto receive CalFresh if you:
- Physically or mentally unfit, or
- A weekly working time of at least 20 hours or
- Participation in a state or federally funded dual study program or
- Participation in an in-service training program
- Receive CalWORKs benefits, or
- Caring for a dependent household member under the age of 6 or
- Caring for a dependent household member over the age of 6 but under the age of 12 and insufficient childcare to attend school and work at least 20 hours or participate in a state or federally funded dual degree, or
- Single parent enrolled in college full-time caring for a dependent household member under the age of 12, or
- Enrolled in college by participating in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) or the Job Opportunities and Basic Skill (JOBS) program under Title IV of the Social Security Act.
- Voluntary participation in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS).
- Voluntary participation in EOP, JOBS, DSPS, CARE, MESA, Puente, McNAIR, Former Foster Youth Programs, Cal Grant A&B that meet TANF requirements.
Which shops accept the CalFresh EBT Card Online?
You can use your CalFresh Golden State Advantage EBT card at the following stores online - for delivery or collection:
-
Albertsons
-
ALDI
-
Amazonas
-
Brothers Marketplace
-
Cardenas Markets
(Video) NEW FEBRUARY/MARCH $281 SNAP EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS - Last MONTHS of Extra Benefits, PHE UPDATE -
ExtraMile von Jacksons
-
Eat 4 less
-
FoodMaxx
-
Gongs IGA Market
-
Jackson's Grocery Stores
-
Happy supermarkets
-
Marval groceries
-
Pavilions
-
Rancho San Miguel Markets
-
Safe way
-
Sams Club Scan and Go
(Video) How To Apply For SNAP Food Stamps in 2023? (ALL 50 STATES) | EBT + PEBT Benefits (COMPLETE GUIDE) -
Save Mart supermarkets
-
Sprouts Farmers Market
-
Stater Bros.
-
Super King Market
-
Superior grocers
-
Goal
-
The Market of Superior
-
let us
-
Walmart
-
whole food
Summary of CalFresh Income Limits
We hope this post on CalFresh Income Limits has been useful to you.
Questions?
If you have any other questions about CalFresh or the California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Also read our other articles on CalFresh and CalFresh EBT including:
- $3,000 Child Tax Credit
- CalFresh Contingency Contingency - Additional meal stamps
- Free cell phones with CalFresh
- How to Apply for California P-EBT
- California P-EBT extension
- Sign-up help for the CalFresh account
- CalFresh Income Limits
- How to fill out the CalFresh SAR 7 form
- Get the printable CalFresh SAR 7 form
Related
FAQs
Will CalFresh emergency allotment continue in 2023? ›
California has requested and been approved to issue CalFresh Emergency Allotments (EA) for the month of January 2023. These benefits will be available on Sunday, February 12, 2023. This calendar will be updated each month that EA are approved.
What is the maximum income to qualify for food stamps 2022 in California? ›The maximum gross allowed is 200% of the Federal poverty level (FPL). Below is a chart of gross monthly income for 200% of the Federal poverty level by household size effective 10/1/2022.
What is the maximum income to qualify for cash aid in California? ›Resource Limits
Your family can only get CalWORKs if it has $10,888 or less in resources ($16,333 if the family includes someone with a disability or someone 60 or over).
Under P-EBT 3.0, each eligible child will receive a new P-EBT 3.0 card by mail between October 2022 through December 2022.
Will the P-EBT card be reloaded 2023 California? ›P-EBT 3.0 Card Mailing
Cards for school-aged children eligible for benefits from January to August 2022 were reloaded on existing P-EBT 3.0 cards or mailed to newly eligible recipients between December 2022 and January 2023.
The CalFresh office will check the numbers with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If a household member applying for benefits does not provide a Social Security number, that person must prove they applied for one. [7 C.F.R. § 273.6(b)(2); MPP § 63-404.3.].
What income is excluded from CalFresh? ›The following is a list of 50+ things that are “excluded” — i.e., not counted — as income in the CalFresh program: “In-kind” income (benefits received other than cash, such as free housing, public housing, child care, Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits or food). [7 U.S.C. § 2014(d)(1); 7 C.F.R.
How long can you be on food stamps in California? ›In California, most households have a 12-month certification period. Some household with elderly or disabled members have a 24 month certification period. Households that only have elderly and/or disabled members and no earned income are certified for 36 months. [See Elderly Simplified Application Process.]
What is the highest income to qualify for SNAP? ›And assets are "countable resources" like cash, money in a bank account, and certain vehicles. For fiscal year 2022 (October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022), a two-member household with a net monthly income of $1,452 (100% of poverty) might qualify for SNAP.
How much does a family of 2 get in food stamps in California? ›As of October 1, 2021, the maximum monthly allotment for a one-person household in California is $250, for a two-person household $459, for a three-person household is $658, for a four-person household is $835, for a five-person household is $992, for a six-person household is $1,190, for a seven-person household is ...
How does CalFresh determine eligibility? ›
Who is eligible for CalFresh? You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 and share your household with one of the following: a person or persons age 60 and over or. a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).
Who qualifies for cash aid in California? ›To be eligible for California CalWORKs, you must be a resident of California, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following: Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or.
How much is EBT per month in California? ›Starting October 1, 2022, the maximum allotment for one person is $281 per month. The maximum allotment for a four person family is $939. The chart below is effective 10/1/2022 for the Thrifty Food Plan maximum allotment amounts based on household size. How much money can you have and still get CalFresh?
What is low income in California for a single person? ›| Household Size | Very-Low Income | Low-Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11,550 or less | $11,551 - $19,300 |
| 2 | $13,200 or less | $13,201 - $22,050 |
| 3 | $14,900 or less | $14,901 - $24,800 |
| 4 | $16,550 or less | $16,551 - $27,550 |
P-EBT update
The state has approved P-EBT 3.0, which provides P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year and summer. Benefits will be issued starting in October 2022 for young children and in November 2022 for school-age children.
California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for October, 2022. All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allotment. Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month.
Will P-EBT be reloaded in CA 2022? ›P-EBT cards will be reloaded with a second issuance of benefits in December reflecting the P-EBT benefits for the months of January 2022 through May 2022. Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits will also be loaded on to existing cards in December.
What time will my food stamps be on my EBT card California? ›Under the CalFresh Program, benefits are available on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card based on the last digit of the individual's county case number. For example, if a case number ends in the number “5,” the day the benefits are available on the EBT card is the 5th day of each month.
What time does EBT cash benefits go on card in California? ›If the last digit of your case number is 1, then you'll be paid on the 1st day of the month. If the last number is 2, then it'll be the 2nd, and so on, up until the 10th day of each month, when those with a 0 as the last digit of their case number receive their Food Stamps Benefits.
Does California extend PEBT? ›P-EBT has been extended through the 2021-2022 school year, the summer of 2022, and as long as the current public health emergency continues.
How much is the CalFresh emergency allotment? ›
Emergency benefits raise each household's regular monthly CalFresh allotment to the maximum allowable benefits based on their CalFresh household size. Effective with emergency allotments issued May 2021 for benefit month April 2021; all CalFresh households have received a minimum emergency allotment of $95 per month.
Will there be another pandemic EBT in California? ›These cards will have benefits for the months of August 2021 through December 2021. P-EBT cards will be reloaded with a second issuance of benefits in December reflecting the P-EBT benefits for the months of January 2022 through May 2022. Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits will also be loaded on to existing cards in December.
Will California get another pandemic EBT? ›P-EBT update
The state has approved P-EBT 3.0, which provides P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year and summer. Benefits will be issued starting in October 2022 for young children and in November 2022 for school-age children.
If you qualify for Calfresh, Medi-Cal, general assistance, and Cal Works, you will be able to receive this check.
How is CalFresh eligibility calculated? ›In general, to get CalFresh benefits, the household's gross income must be less than the gross-income eligibility standard — 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). However, under California's modified categorical eligibility standard, eligibility can go up to 200% of FPL.
How does CalFresh determine how much you get? ›The amount of CalFresh benefits a household gets depends on how many people are in the household and how much monthly net income remains after taking allowable deductions. [7 C.F.R. § 273.10(d), 273.10(e)(1), 273.10(e)(2)(ii)(A); MPP § 63-502.3 and MPP § 63-503.32.]
Why is my CalFresh discontinued? ›If you do not participate when required by the County, your benefits could be reduced or stopped. You may not be eligible to CalFresh if you have recently quit a job without a good reason.
Is California getting extra food stamps in November 2022? ›Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can look forward to another hefty payment in November, as it marks the second straight month including a 12.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) approved for fiscal year 2023. The COLA kicked in on Oct. 1, 2022 and will run through Sept. 30, 2023.
How long will the increase in food stamps last in California 2022? ›The emergency allotment waivers will continue to be available to participating states until at least 30 days after the federal public health declaration regarding COVID-19 expires. That declaration was just renewed in October 2022, so it will not expire until mid-January 2023.
Is California increasing food stamps? ›The Consolidated Appropriations Act increases CalFresh allotments by 15% for the period January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.
Are SNAP benefits increasing in California? ›
Benefit amounts were set to increase by about 27% in October 2021, in accordance with pre-pandemic plans to modernize the calculation of typical food budgets that determine SNAP benefit amounts. The October 2021 increase was substantial enough to measurably reduce child poverty in California.
Who is eligible for EBT in California? ›Who is eligible for CalFresh? You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 and share your household with one of the following: a person or persons age 60 and over or. a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).
Does CalFresh count Social Security as income? ›Will SSI/SSP income be counted? SSI/SSP income will count in our CalFresh budgets as unearned income for determining benefits. There is no cap on shelter expenses such as rent and mortgage for these households.
Does IRS check CalFresh? ›[MPP § 20-006.531.] The CalFresh office commonly checks information from government and state agencies as well. Some notable federal agencies include the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Is there a stimulus check coming in California? ›If you're getting a debit card because you changed your bank or bank account since filing your 2020 California income tax return, then your California stimulus payment debit card will be issued between December 17, 2022, and January 14, 2023.