Learn About CalFresh Income Guidelines and Requirements

Understanding CalFresh Income Guidelines

CalFresh, California's food support program, sets income limits based on household size. These limits determine whether a household's income falls within the range that may allow participation in the program. The income guidelines change yearly, typically in October, because they are tied to the federal poverty level.

For 2024, a single person with a monthly income of $1,550 or less would fall within the income range that the program considers. A family of three with a monthly income of $3,289 or less may also fall within this range. A family of eight with a monthly income of $6,913 or less may similarly fall within the guidelines. These figures represent gross monthly income before taxes and deductions.

Income includes wages from employment, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, Social Security payments, pensions, and child support received. When CalFresh calculates household income, it counts money that household members receive, not necessarily what they keep after taxes.

It is important to understand that the income guidelines serve as one factor in determining whether a household may participate. Even if a household's income exceeds these limits, other factors—such as deductible expenses—may still make the household part of the program. Some households with income above the limit may still have access to programs through different rules called "net income" calculations.

Practical Takeaway: Write down your household's gross monthly income from all sources. Compare this total to the current income guidelines for your household size. If your income is at or below the guideline for your household size, continue learning about other program requirements.

How Household Size Affects Income Limits

Household size is one of the most important factors when looking at CalFresh income guidelines. Each additional household member raises the maximum income limit. Understanding who counts as part of your household is the first step in learning whether your income falls within the guidelines.

A household includes everyone living together and buying and preparing food together. This typically means a person, a spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, or other relatives living in the same home. People who rent rooms but buy and cook their own food separately do not count as part of your household. Boarders or unrelated adults who live in your home but maintain separate food budgets also do not count.

Here is how the 2024 income guidelines break down by household size: One person, $1,550; two people, $2,084; three people, $2,618; four people, $3,152; five people, $3,686; six people, $4,220; seven people, $4,754; eight people, $5,288. For households with more than eight people, add $534 for each additional person.

Sometimes determining household membership can be complex. A college student living away from home during the school year but returning during breaks may count as part of the household. A person temporarily away from home for work, treatment, or incarceration generally still counts as a household member if they maintain ties to the home and plan to return. People in foster care or group homes are treated differently—they may have their own household unit.

Children living with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives count as part of that household for CalFresh purposes. Stepchildren and adopted children living in the home are counted the same way as biological children. Parents living in an adult child's home count as household members.

Practical Takeaway: List everyone who lives in your home and buys or prepares food with your household. Count only those people. Use this number to find the correct income guideline amount for your household size.

Income Types and What Gets Counted

CalFresh counts many types of income when determining whether a household falls within the program's guidelines. Understanding which income sources count helps you calculate your household's total gross monthly income accurately.

Wages and salaries from jobs are counted as income. This includes regular paychecks, bonuses, commissions, and tips. If someone is self-employed—such as running a small business or working as a contractor—the income from that self-employment counts. Income from self-employment includes profit, not just the money that comes in, so business expenses are first subtracted from business income.

Government benefits are counted as income. Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment insurance benefits, and workers' compensation all count. Veterans benefits count as income. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments count as income. Pensions from past employment count as income.

Other income sources that count include child support and spousal support received, income from rental properties, interest and dividends from savings or investments, and educational grants or scholarships that are not used for tuition and fees. Some educational benefits, like the CalFresh Student Benefits Program for students meeting certain criteria, do not count as income under certain circumstances.

Some income does not count or is excluded from the calculation. For example, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits received in other states, or CalFresh benefits already received, are not counted as income. Most federal tax refunds do not count. Student loans that must be repaid are not counted as income. Money received from the sale of a home or car that the household owned is not counted as income. Gifts from family members are generally not counted as income.

To calculate gross household income, add together all income received by all household members in a month, before subtracting taxes, deductions, or other expenses. If income varies from month to month, calculate an average over the past three months or 30 days.

Practical Takeaway: Write down each household member's monthly income from all sources listed here. Add these amounts together to find your household's total gross monthly income. This number is what you compare to the income guidelines.

Income Deductions and How They Work

CalFresh allows households to deduct certain expenses from their gross income. These deductions lower the household's "net income," which is used in some cases to make a determination about participation. Understanding deductions is important for households whose gross income exceeds the income limit but who may still have low enough net income to participate.

Standard deductions are applied to most households. The standard deduction for CalFresh is a flat amount that all households can subtract from gross income. This amount helps account for basic living costs that reduce household resources. The standard deduction amount varies and is set by the state.

Dependent care deductions apply when someone in the household pays for care of children or disabled family members so that another household member can work, go to school, or receive treatment. The cost of care at a daycare center, in-home babysitter, preschool program, or after-school program can be deducted. Care for an elderly or disabled person at an adult day center or in-home can be deducted. The household must provide proof of these expenses.

Medical expense deductions apply to households that include someone who is elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled. Out-of-pocket medical costs that are not covered by insurance can be deducted from income. This includes doctor visits, prescription medications, medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, and health insurance premiums. Households must show proof of these expenses.

Shelter cost deductions are available in some cases. Housing costs—including rent or mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and utilities—can be deducted if they exceed a certain percentage of the household's remaining income after other deductions. This helps protect households with very high housing costs from being excluded due to income limits.

Child support paid out by a household member can be deducted from household income. This applies when someone in the household is required to pay child support for a child not living in the household.

Practical Takeaway: If your gross income exceeds the income guideline for your household size, gather information about deductible expenses your household has. These might include dependent care costs, medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, or high housing costs. These deductions could lower your net income to within the program range.

Special Income Rules for Students

CalFresh has special income rules for students ages 18-49 who are enrolled in school at least half-time. These rules can affect how student income is counted and may create different possibilities for students compared to other adults.

Student income earned through work-study programs is partially excluded