4. Income Limits
You must be below monthly income limits to receive CalFresh. Some households must also be under a “resource limit” (meaning things you own like vehicles, but not your house.)
There are 2 steps to determining your eligibility; first, the gross income limit, and then after the DHS makes deductions based on your expenses, the “net” income limit. There are several rules about how this works:
- If there are one or more senior or disabled persons in the household, and the household is OVER the 200% income limit, then the household can still get CalFresh, if they are under a resource limit of $3,500.
- If all members of the household get cash welfare, or the household receives Medi-Cal, they are automatically eligible for CalFresh.
- SSI recipients now automatically qualify for CalFresh.
- If your income falls below the “130% Gross” income limit, the DHA will then make deductions to see if your income will then fall below the “Net” income limit. If it does, then you will be able to receive CalFresh benefits.
CalFresh Monthly Income Eligibility Limits: Seniors and Disabled Persons
| Num in Household | 200% Gross Limit (Senior & Disabled) | Net Income Limit |
| 1 | $2148 | $1074 |
| 2 | $2904 | $1452 |
| 3 | $3660 | $1830 |
| 4 | $4418 | $2209 |
| 5 | $5174 | $2587 |
| 6 | $5930 | $2965 |
| 7 | $6688 | $3344 |
| 8 | $7444 | $3722 |
| Each additional | +$758 | +$379 |
CalFresh Monthly Income Eligibility Limits: Non-Senior or Disabled
| Num in Household | 130% Gross Limit | Net Income Limit |
| 1 | $1396 | $1074 |
| 2 | $1888 | $1452 |
| 3 | $2379 | $1830 |
| 4 | $2871 | $2209 |
| 5 | $3363 | $2587 |
| 6 | $3855 | $2965 |
| 7 | $4347 | $3344 |
| 8 | $4839 | $3722 |
| Each Additional | +$492 | +$379 |
The following income does not count:
• Money earned by children under age 18 if they are in school at least half-time
• Money paid for you to a third party by someone who is not legally obligated to pay you, (for example if your grandparent pays your rent directly to the landlord)
• Most loans
• Federal payments to help you with utilities
• “Earned Income Tax Credit” for one full year after you get it
• CalWORKs homeless assistance
• Foster care payments (when the foster children are not part of the household)
• Agent Orange Settlement payments.
• Money you pay in court-ordered child support
Deductions To Help You Qualify
On your CalFresh application be sure to list some of the expenses you have that make your “net” income lower:
- Shelter deduction and Standard Utility Allowance:
- Dependent Care: Money that you pay for child care or for care of a dependent adult
- Medical Expense deduction (60+ or Elderly): Households with at least one “elderly” or “disabled” person can deduct non-reimbursed medical costs over $35 a month. These costs can include; Prescription medication; Over-the-counter medication, ointments, or other treatments; Medicare premiums Co-payments for appointments or prescriptions; Acupuncture, chiropractic or herbal treatments; health care supplies and equipment; Dentures, hearing aids and prosthetics, eyeglasses, care for service animals; cost of transportation to medical appointments or to pharmacies; and many other covered items.
- Homeless Shelter Deduction Homeless households can claim the homeless shelter deduction of $159.73 per month, if they pay for some shelter during a month. You don’t have to verify the cost. You can get a higher shelter deduction though if you can verify higher shelter costs. Effective October 1, 2021, the homeless shelter deduction in California is $159.73.
- Child support payments you make to someone outside the household