How CalFresh Benefits Are Calculated
CalFresh starts from a maximum benefit for your household size and subtracts 30% of your net income. Most of the work is in getting from gross income to net income.
Your CalFresh benefit is the maximum benefit for your household size minus 30% of your net monthly income. Through September 30, 2027, the maximum is $306 a month for one person and $1,023 for four. Net income is what's left after a 20% earned-income deduction, a standard deduction and deductions for high housing costs, child care, child support and some medical costs. The lower your net income, the bigger the benefit.
Step 1: The income tests
California uses broad-based categorical eligibility, so most households face two tests and no asset limit:
| Household size | Gross income limit (200% FPL) | Net income limit (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $1,803 |
| 3 | $4,553 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $3,223 |
| 6 | $7,393 | $3,697 |
Figures are monthly, from this year's federal poverty guidelines. Households with a member who is 60 or older or disabled skip the gross income test and only need to pass the net income test. If their gross income is above 200% of the poverty level, a $4,750 asset limit applies.
Step 2: From gross to net income
CalFresh subtracts these from your gross monthly income, in this order:
- Earned-income deduction: 20% of wages and self-employment income. Benefits such as Social Security or unemployment don't get it.
- Standard deduction: $217 for households of one to three people, $229 for four, $268 for five and $308 for six or more.
- Dependent care: what you pay for child or adult care so you can work, look for work or go to school.
- Child support you're legally required to pay and actually pay.
- Medical costs over $35 a month, only for a household member who is 60 or older or disabled.
- Excess shelter costs: rent or mortgage, property tax, insurance and a standard utility allowance if you pay for heating or cooling. Whatever exceeds half of your income after steps 1 to 5 is deducted, up to $769 a month. There's no cap for households with an elderly or disabled member.
Step 3: Subtract 30% from the maximum
CalFresh expects a household to spend about 30% of its net income on food, so the benefit is the maximum for your household size minus 30% of net income, rounded down to a whole dollar.
| Household size | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$225 |
These amounts run from October 1 through September 30, 2027. The federal government adjusts them for food prices every October.
A worked example
A household of 3 has one worker earning $2,400 a month and pays $1,400 in rent. To keep the math simple, this example leaves out the utility allowance; a household that pays for heating or cooling would get a bigger shelter deduction and a larger benefit.
- Gross income $2,400 is under the $4,553 limit.
- After the 20% earned-income deduction: $1,920.00.
- After the $217 standard deduction: $1,703.00.
- Half of that is $851.50. Rent above it is $548.50, the excess shelter deduction.
- Net income: $1,154.50, under the $2,277 net limit.
- Benefit: $808 minus 30% of $1,154.50 = $461 a month.
Things that change the result
- Who's in the household. People who live together and buy and prepare food together usually apply as one household. Someone who buys food separately may be a separate household.
- SSI recipients. Since 2019, people receiving SSI in California can get CalFresh, and their SSI counts as unearned income.
- Students. College students attending at least half time generally need to meet an exemption, such as working 20 hours a week or taking part in work-study.
- Reporting. Most households report their income every six months and must report mid-period if income rises above a set limit.
Run your numbers
Our CalFresh Benefit Estimator applies the income test, the earned-income and standard deductions and the 30% rule for your household size. It doesn't include shelter or care deductions, so treat the result as a floor. The eligibility finder checks CalFresh alongside Medi-Cal, CalWORKs and utility discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my CalFresh benefit calculated?
CalFresh takes the maximum benefit for your household size ($306 for one person, $1,023 for four) and subtracts 30% of your net monthly income. Net income is your gross income minus a 20% earned-income deduction, a standard deduction and any shelter, dependent care, child support or medical deductions.
What is the income limit for CalFresh?
Most households qualify with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, which is $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for four. Net income must also be at or below 100% of the poverty level. Households with a member who is 60 or older or disabled don't face the gross income limit.
What is the maximum CalFresh benefit?
Through September 30, 2027, the maximum is $306 a month for one person, $562 for two, $808 for three and $1,023 for four. It changes every October 1.
Does rent affect my CalFresh amount?
Yes. If your housing costs, including a utility allowance, are more than half of your income after other deductions, the excess is subtracted from your income. For most households that deduction is capped at $769 a month, but there's no cap when someone in the household is 60 or older or disabled.
What is the minimum CalFresh benefit?
Eligible households of one or two people get at least $25 a month, even if the formula works out lower.
This article is for general information only. Your county social services office decides eligibility and the benefit amount; apply at GetCalFresh.org or BenefitsCal.com.