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.
Income Eligibility Chart
| Number of People in Household* | Gross Monthly Income | Maximum CalFresh Allotment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,610 | up to $298 |
| 2 | $3,526 | up to $546 |
| 3 | $4,442 | up to $785 |
| 4** | $5,360 | up to $994 |
*Household = a person living alone or a group of people living together who purchase and prepare food together.
**More than 4 people in your household? For each additional person in the household, you can create an estimate by adding approximately $918 to the Gross Monthly Income per person and approximately $218 to the maximum end of the range of the allotment per person.
Updated chart on October 1, 2025.
Review to help determine your eligibility
Review the following questions to help determine your eligibility for CalFresh.
| Eligibility Question | If Yes | If No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Is your household under the gross monthly income limit? | Go to next question. | Likely not eligible. |
| 2. Does your household include at least one US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR)? | Go to next question. | Likely not eligible. |
| 3. Does anyone in your household receive the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)? | Not eligible for benefits. | Go to next question. |
| 4. Has anyone in your household provided less than half (10 or less) meals per week from another source (like a campus meal plan)? | May still be likely to be eligible. Go to next question. | Go to next question. |
| 5. Is anyone in your household physically/mentally unable to work and/or receiving disability benefits from any source? | Skip next question and apply. | Go to next question. |
| 6. Is anyone in your household a college student per CalFresh Guidelines? (Enrolled at least half-time - 7.5 units - and between ages of 18-49). | Review student eligibility information below. | No CalFresh student related restrictions. |
Local Programs That Increase Employability (LPIEs)
A Local Program That Increases Employability (LPIE) is a CDSS-approved education, training or career-focused program that helps students prepare for future employment.
If you are enrolled in an academic program other than a bachelor’s degree program, you may qualify for a CalFresh student exemption if your program is included on the approved LPIE list. Approved programs may include Associate degree programs, other qualifying academic programs and campus-specific programs.
Even if you did not qualify for CalFresh in the past, it may be worth checking your eligibility again. Your program may now be included on the approved list. You must still meet all other CalFresh eligibility requirements, including income requirements. Our Basic Needs team can help you understand your eligibility and apply.
Review the List of Approved LPIEs
To find the list, go to the Student Resources section of the webpage and select List of Approved LPIEs.
The list was last updated September 8, 2026.
Additional Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for CalFresh, you must meet AT LEAST ONE of the following:
- Working 20 hours per week on average (total 80 hours per month),
- Have a disability that prevents you from working and/or maintaining employment,
- Currently receiving CalWORKS,
- Parent/Guardian of a child ages 0 to 5,
- Parent/Guardian of a child under age 6 or between 6 and 12 and no childcare is available,
- Single parent who attends school full-time and has a child under the age of 12,
- Have been awarded work study and are anticipating working,
- In an-on-the-job training program (internship/externship),
- Recipient of a TANF funded Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B,
- Are attending your last college term (and not anticipating attending graduate or additional post-graduate school),
- Majoring in one these programs:
Effective June 2023
- Students are not eligible to receive CalFresh if they receive a meal plan that provides 50% or more of their meals.
- Student Financial Aid and most educational income is not counted as income for CalFresh.
- Students under age 22 living with their parent(s) must apply with their parent(s) as a household.
- Students under the age of 22 living on their own may be eligible for CalFresh benefits.
- Students must also have an eligible immigration status (cannot be DACA, Student Visa, or Dream Act).
- The primary applicant must provide identification (picture ID).
Updated: November 03, 2026