What is Counted as Income for CalFresh and how what are the gross and net income limits for SNAP in California? What deductions are allowed? If you are applying for CalFresh and have these questions and more, we can help. In this post, we will explain what is considered income for CalFresh eligibility and answer questions regarding CalFresh eligibility income requirements.
Table of Contents:
CalFresh is a nutrition program that can help low-income individuals and families purchase healthy foods.
CalFresh provides monthly financial assistance on a debit-like card known as an EBT card. If approved, your benefits will automatically be added to your account each month.
The amount of benefits you can receive is dependent on your family size, countable income, and monthly expenses such as housing & utilities.
The EBT card can be used at most grocery stores, discount chains, farmer’s markets, and neighborhood stores.
Yes. the maximum gross income allowed for CalFresh is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Additionally, the maximum net income allowed for CalFresh is 100% of the FPL.
For 2021/2022, the CalFresh maximum gross income limit starts with a monthly income of $2,148 per month for a household of 1 and increases from there.
Also, the CalFresh maximum net income limit starts with a monthly income of $1,074 per month for a household of 1 and increases from there.
CalFresh eligibility is based on gross and net income determination tests for most households.
Gross income is all non‐excludable income from any source including both earned and unearned income.
Net income is what you are left with after deductions are applied to your gross income. Income deductions are described in question 5.
The table below provides the complete CalFresh eligibility income limits by household size for 2021/2022.
CalFresh Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | |||
Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |||
Household Size | Gross Monthly Income (200% of FPL) | Gross Monthly Income (130% of FPL) | Net Monthly Income (100% of FPL) |
1 | $2,148 | $1,396 | $1,074 |
2 | $2,904 | $1,888 | $1,452 |
3 | $3,660 | $2,379 | $1,830 |
4 | $4,418 | $2,871 | $2,209 |
5 | $5,174 | $3,363 | $2,587 |
6 | $5,930 | $3,855 | $2,965 |
7 | $6,688 | $4,347 | $3,344 |
8 | $7,444 | $4,839 | $3,722 |
9 | $8,202 | $5,331 | $4,101 |
10 | $8,960 | $5,823 | $4,480 |
Each additional member | +$758 | +$492 | +$379 |
The following will be counted as income when applying for CalFresh:
Earned income – which includes wages, self-employment (for example, driving for Lyft, delivering for Postmates, or owning your own business)
Unearned income: Social security (SSA, SSDI, SSI, SSP), military or veteran’s benefits, State Disability Insurance (SDI), spousal or child support, some stipends for former or current Foster Youth, unemployment insurance benefits.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the CalFresh application process, including income eligibility and what is not counted as income.
Yes, there are certain types of income that are not counted when calculating gross or net
income. They are listed below:
CalFresh eligibility is based on gross and net income determination tests.
Most CalFresh households, except those containing an aged (60 or older) or disabled member or where all members receive cash assistance, are subject to gross and net income determination tests.
Gross Income – all non-excludable income from any source including all earned income and all unearned income.
The maximum gross allowed is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Net income is computed by deducting the following, if applicable, from gross income.
The maximum net income allowable cannot exceed 100% of the FPL.
Deductions are expenses allowed under CalFresh that can be subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income to determine eligibility and the amount of CalFresh benefits.
CalFresh deductions include:
Yes. In California, 60 percent of CalFresh households also receive cash aid from other public assistance programs, like Medicaid and TANF.
However, there is a restriction that a household cannot participate simultaneously in the CalFresh Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Yes. Older adults and adults with disabilities receiving SSI can apply for CalFresh. A new California law now allows SSI/SSP recipients to apply for CalFresh.
Until June 2019, California remained to be the only state in the country that barred SSI recipients from CalFresh eligibility.
Older adults and people with disabilities receiving SSI may be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits beginning June 1st, 2019, and any time thereafter.
Also, there is NO CHANGE to the SSI/SSP monthly benefit.
See our guide on CalFresh for SSI recipients.
Yes. Students can apply for CalFresh benefits if they meet eligibility requirements, including:
See our guide on CalFresh for college students.
We hope this post on answering the question – “What is Counted as Income for CalFresh?” was helpful.
If you have further questions about California SNAP or 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:
$3,000 Child Tax Credit from 2021 Stimulus
How to get Expedited Calfresh Benefits
California P-EBT Extension
How much will I get in CalFresh
Does Costco Take EBT in California?
Extra Food Stamps for California
CalFresh for SSI/SSP Beneficiaries
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