Do I qualify for CalFresh?
You can use the information table below to get a basic understanding of the eligibility requirements and understand how CalFresh benefits can assist households of various sizes.
UPDATE: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are two temporary changes to the CalFresh student eligibility rule to expand eligibility to students who are eligible for federal or state work study or who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero dollars. Due to the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declarations ending on May 11, 2023, California will no longer be able to exempt students using the temporary changes to the CalFresh student eligibility rule. Beginning June 10, 2023, these temporary exemptions will no longer apply to college students who are newly applying for CalFresh. Beginning July 1, 2023, college students who already get CalFresh benefits should not experience any changes until their next recertification, where their eligibility will be reassessed.
Updated Chart on June 2, 2023
Household = a person living alone or a group of people living together who purchase and prepare food together.
|
|
Gross Monthly Income | Maximum CalFresh Allotment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,473 | $23 -$281 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $23-$516 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $23-$740 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $23-$939 |
More than 4 people in your household? For each additional person in the household, you can create an estimate by adding approximately $394 to the Gross Monthly Income per person and approximately $211 to the maximum end of the range of the allotment per person.
Understanding the table:
Use the number of people in your household to determine which row to use on the chart.
If yes, go to next question. If no, your household is likely not eligible for CalFresh benefits.
If yes, go to next question. If no, your household is likely not eligible for CalFresh benefits.
If yes, the household will not be eligible for CalFresh.
If yes, they may still likely be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits.
If yes, skip the next student question and them apply. If no, go the next question.
If yes, please see student eligibility information below.
Part Time Students (7.5 units or less) - No CalFresh student related restrictions
Full Time Students, ages 18 to 49 - to be eligible for CalFresh, you must meet AT LEAST ONE of the following:
- working and getting paid for at least 20 hours per week OR a total of 80 hours a month on average
- Approved (or awarded or accepted) for federal or state work study, anticipates working, and have not refused a work assignment (can still be eligible even if a work study job has not begun or is not currently available)
- Receiving Cal Grant A or B, and have received a California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) TANF letter
- Enrolled in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or in a Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE)
- Exerting parental control over a dependent household member under the age of 6 OR between the age of 6 and 12 with no adequate childcare (as determined by the county on a case-by-case basis) OR are a single parent of a dependent household member under the age of 12
- Participating in the CalFresh Employment and Training Program (CFET) or Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS), or be a recipient of CalWORKs or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
- Attending your last college term (and not anticipating attending graduate or additional post-graduate school
Other Things to Consider
- Students who live with their parents must be 22 years of age or older in order to apply as an individual household.
- International, DACA, and DREAM students will not be eligible, even with a work VISA/Social Security Number.
- Out-of-state students can still be eligible for CalFresh if they are residing in California for the school year.
- Student eligibility is based on enrollment at a higher education institution, which is either: business, trade, technical or vocational schools normally requiring a high school diploma or GED to enroll; or a junior, community, two-year or four-year college or university, or graduate school, regardless whether a high school diploma or GED is required.
- Veterans and foster youth may have many different forms of income—the applicant’s eligibility worker will help them determine what income counts and what doesn't—all will need to be reported on the application.
- Anyone over 60, on SSI, or with disabilities can claim medical deductions on their application.
- Participants in the WIC (Women Infant Children) program can also be eligible for CalFresh.
- Primary applicant must provide identification (picture ID)
- Student Financial Aid and most educational income is not counted as available income for CalFresh
Updated: November 27, 2023