According to the USDA, in 2022, all food prices are predicted to increase between 8.5 and 9.5 percent. This will have a big impact on households that receive Calfresh benefits. One of the questions we have received from CalFresh recipients is whether there will be an increase in California food stamps benefits. Specifically, will there be a cost of living adjustment to food stamps benefits in 2023 to make up for the increase in food prices? In this post, we will explain in detail what the 2023 California Food Stamps Increase will be, the income limits to qualify for benefits, and how much a family of 4 or 5 will get in CalFresh.
Additionally, we will provide a list of other food stamps changes in 2023 that may affect your benefits.
2023 California Food Stamps Increase
If you are approved for food stamps in California, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- Total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
The table below shows the maximum CalFresh benefits for households with zero income.
The minimum CalFresh benefit you can receive in 2022 is $23.
As your income increases, your CalFresh benefit amount goes down.
| CalFresh Maximum Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 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 |
If you would like to know the average CalFresh amount your household may get, see our post on Average CalFresh benefits for 2023.
How Much Will a Family of 4 Get in Food Stamps?
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 4 will get in CalFresh benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 4 could receive in CalFresh is $939.
The result is the amount of your monthly CalFresh benefits for a family of 4.
Here’s an example:
Example: Kevin and his family of four (4) have $2,000 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,000) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 2000 Net Income for Kevin’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 600 Countable Income
$ 939 Maximum SNAP for 4 persons
-$600 Countable income (round up)
$ 339 Monthly SNAP benefits for Kevin’s family
How much Will a Family of 5 get in California Food Stamps?
Using the same example above, we are going to calculate how much Frank’s family will get if they were a family of 5 with the same $2,000 net income.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 5 could receive in CalFresh is $1,116.
Example: Patrick and his family of five (five) have $2,000 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,000) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 2000 Net Income for Patrick’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 600 Countable Income
$ 1,116 Maximum SNAP for 5 persons
-$600 Countable income (round up)
$ 516 Monthly SNAP benefits for Patrick’s family
Other Food Stamps Changes in 2023
Here are the other CalFresh changes in 2023 that may affect your benefits:
Updated CalFresh Income Limits for 2023
The biggest factor when determining if you are eligible for food stamp benefits is your household income.
Each year, the USDA is responsible for setting the Income Eligibility Standards for SNAP. These standards are then used to perform an income test on all households that apply for food stamp benefits.
The income test is required for all households unless your household is already receiving cash assistance benefits or SSI/SSP from the federal government or your state.
Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.
If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.
The CalFresh Income Limit for 2023-2023 is based on your household’s total income and size.
To see if your household’s income meets the fiscal year 2023 SNAP Eligibility Requirements, use the chart below:
| CalFresh Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2,265 | $1,473 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $3,052 | $1,984 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $3,839 | $2,495 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $4,625 | $3,007 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $5,412 | $3,518 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $6,199 | $4,029 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $6,985 | $4,541 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $7,772 | $5,052 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $787 | $512 | $394 |
New Allowable Deductions for 2023
To calculate your net monthly income, you must deduct approved household expenses. Here are the expenses that can be deducted from your household’s gross income:
- 20% deduction from Earned Income
- Standard deduction of $193 for households with 1 to 4 people and $225 for households with 5 people and $226 for households with 6 or more people.
- Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- A deduction for elderly or disabled member’s medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else)
- Any legally owed child support payments can be deducted
- Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $166.81.
- A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above & cannot exceed $624 unless a household member is elderly or disabled).
Increase in CalFresh Resources Limit
According to the USDA, the resources limit for households applying for food stamps will increase by $250 to $2,750 for the 48 states and the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additionally, the resource limit for households where at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled, will increase by $500 to $4,250.
Also, if your household is required to report changes in income to continue receiving SNAP, you are required to report changes in income above $125 a month.
2023 California Food Stamps Increase Summary
We hope this post on the 2023 California Food Stamps Increase was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including:
