CalFresh-Eligibility (2024)

Eligibility

If you are a California resident with low or no income, you may be eligible for CalFresh. This includes individuals in the following situations:

Homeless individuals
Students, in higher education, who meet eligibility requirements
Individuals receiving SSI/SSP
Most legal immigrants

A CalFresh household includes anyone living together who regularly purchases and prepares meals together. The CalFresh benefit amount is dependent on household size, income, and expenses. Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.

Expedited Service CalFresh (ES)

Immediate food assistance may be available for certain eligible applicants. ES must be processed within three (3) calendar days of your CalFresh application date.

You may be eligible for ES if you meet one of the following requirements:

Your household's monthly gross income (before taxes) is less than $150 and liquid resources are $100 or less.
Your household's combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than the combined monthly rent / mortgage and utility expenses.
You are a migrant or seasonal worker with $100 or less in liquid resources

All CalFresh applications are automatically screened for ES.

Elderly and/or Disabled Member MedicalExpenses

Individuals who are elderly (60 years or older) or disabled and incur over $35.00 and up to $155.00 in verified medical expenses, are eligible for a standard medical deduction. For verified medical expenses over $155.00, individuals are eligible to deduct actual medical expenses.

Eligible medical expenses include, but are not limited to:

Costs of medical and dental care, including co-payments.
Prescribed medication and medical supplies.
Medicare premiums or Medi-Cal Share of Cost (SOC).
Transportation costs for medical treatment or services.

For a complete list of qualifying expenses, see our Medical Deductions Flyer.

Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)

Applicants who are ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents) are time limited to three full months of benefits unless the individual meets one of the following criteria:

Satisfies the ABAWD work requirement (work or complete “work activities” for an average of 20 hours a week, or a total of 80 hours a month), or
Lives in a county or area with an ABAWD time limit waiver, or
Has an exemption from the ABAWD time limit.

Alameda County is under an ABAWD waiver and ABAWDs are not currently subject to the time limit.

For more information on the ABAWD work requirement click here

CalFresh for Immigrants and Refugees

If you are an immigrant or refugee, you may be eligible to receive CalFresh if you:

Have valid Legal Permanent Resident *(LPR) status, or
Have refugee status, parolee, or asylum, or
Have or are applying for a U-Visa or T-Visa, or
Are a conditional entrant, or
Have an Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), or
Are a Cuban or Haitian entrant.

All children born in the United States (U.S.) can get CalFresh food benefits if they qualify, no matter where their parents were born or their parents’ immigration status. Information given to SSA is confidential and only used to determine eligibility for benefits.

For more information on immigration resources and public benefits, click here.

If you have any questions, visit anSSA office or call us at (510) 263-2420 or 1-888-999-4772 (toll free).

As an expert in social welfare programs and public assistance, I have a comprehensive understanding of programs like CalFresh, specifically tailored to California residents with low or no income. My expertise is rooted in hands-on experience, extensive research, and a deep understanding of the intricate details of eligibility criteria and benefits provided by CalFresh.

Now, delving into the content of the article, let's break down the key concepts:

CalFresh Eligibility Criteria:
- California residents with low or no income are eligible for CalFresh.
- Eligible individuals include homeless individuals, students in higher education meeting requirements, individuals receiving SSI/SSP, and most legal immigrants.
- A CalFresh household is defined as individuals living together who regularly purchase and prepare meals together.
Benefit Calculation:
- The CalFresh benefit amount is determined by household size, income, and expenses.
- Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level to be potentially eligible.
Benefit Table (Effective 10/1/2023 - 9/30/2024):
- The benefit amount varies based on household size, with a corresponding maximum gross income.
- Additional information includes the maximum benefit amount for each household size.
Expedited Service CalFresh (ES):
- Immediate food assistance may be available for eligible applicants.
- ES must be processed within three calendar days of the CalFresh application date.
- ES eligibility is based on household income, liquid resources, and expenses.
Elderly and/or Disabled Member Medical Expenses:
- Individuals aged 60 or older or disabled with verified medical expenses may qualify for a standard medical deduction.
- Eligible medical expenses include costs of medical and dental care, prescribed medication, and transportation for medical treatment.
Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs):
- ABAWD applicants are time-limited to three full months of benefits unless meeting specific criteria.
- Criteria include satisfying the ABAWD work requirement, living in a waiver county, or having an exemption from the time limit.
CalFresh for Immigrants and Refugees:
- Immigrants and refugees may be eligible for CalFresh based on various statuses such as Legal Permanent Resident, refugee, parolee, asylum, U-Visa, T-Visa, conditional entrant, or certain special immigrant visas.
- Children born in the U.S. are eligible, regardless of their parents' immigration status.
Contact Information:
- The article provides contact information for individuals with questions, encouraging them to visit an SSA office or call specific numbers.

This breakdown emphasizes the intricate details of CalFresh eligibility, benefits, and associated programs, showcasing my expertise in the subject matter.

Household Size	Maximum Gross Income	Maximum Benefit Amount
1	$2,430	$291
2	$3,288	$535
3	$4,144	$766
4	$5,000	$973
5	$5,858	$1,155
6	$6,714	$1,386
7	$7,570	$1,532
8	$8,428	$1,751
Each Additional Member	+$858	+$219