CalFresh (SNAP) Eligibility & Benefit Estimator
Most California households qualify at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. See your estimated eligibility and monthly benefit.
Most California households qualify for CalFresh with gross monthly income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with no asset test. Your benefit is the maximum allotment for your household size minus 30% of your net income.
Enter your household size and gross monthly income for an eligibility and benefit estimate.
CalFresh Benefit Estimator
Your CalFresh Result
How this is calculated
The tool first checks your gross monthly income against 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size (or 165% if everyone in the household is elderly/disabled).
If you pass, the tool approximates your net income as gross income minus a 20% earned-income deduction and the standard deduction for your household size ($217 to $308 a month). It doesn't apply the excess shelter, dependent care or medical deductions that the county would, so your benefit could be higher than this estimate.
Your benefit is then the maximum monthly allotment for your household size minus 30% of that net income figure, floored at zero. Maximum allotments for every household size come from USDA's federal fiscal year 2027 table (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CalFresh income limit in California?
Most households qualify under Modified Categorical Eligibility with gross monthly income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with no asset test. A separate net income test (100% FPL) also applies, though most of the gross-qualifying households also pass it once deductions are applied.
How is my CalFresh benefit amount calculated?
Your benefit equals the maximum monthly allotment for your household size, minus 30% of your net monthly income. Net income itself is reduced by a 20% earned-income deduction plus other deductions (standard deduction, excess shelter costs, dependent care, and medical expenses for elderly/disabled members) that a simplified calculator can't fully capture.
Is there an easier income test for elderly or disabled households?
Yes. Households where every member is elderly (60+) or disabled use a 165% FPL gross income test, and in many cases skip the gross income test altogether, needing only to pass the net income test.
Do CalFresh benefits change every year?
Yes. Maximum allotments and income limits are adjusted annually (federal fiscal year, October 1) for cost-of-living, so a given household's benefit amount can shift even if their income and household size don't change.
Does receiving CalFresh affect eligibility for CARE or LIHEAP?
No. It can help. CalFresh is one of the programs that automatically qualifies a household for the CARE utility discount.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not affiliated with CDSS. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on deductions and circumstances this simplified calculator doesn't capture. Apply at benefitscal.com or through your county for an official determination.