Quick answer: One person can earn up to $2,878 per month. Two people can earn up to $3,901. Three people can earn up to $4,925.
Need food help? California CalFresh gives money for groceries. Use our CalFresh calculator 2025 to see your exact benefit amount.
Here’s how to see if you qualify.
California CalFresh Income Limits 2025
Your family size matters. California lets families earn more than most states and still get help.
How much you can earn each month (200% of federal poverty level):
- 1 person: $2,878
- 2 people: $3,901
- 3 people: $4,925
- 4 people: $5,174
- 5 people: $6,198
- 6 people: $7,221
Each extra person adds about $1,025 to the limit.
Two Types of Income Rules
Gross income = All money before taxes Net income = Money after some costs are taken out
For most households, the monthly gross income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for the household size. A household’s net monthly income cannot exceed 100 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. For a household of three, this is $2,152.
Net income limits (100% of federal poverty level):
- 1 person: $1,255
- 2 people: $1,704
- 3 people: $2,152
- 4 people: $2,600
- 5 people: $3,049
- 6 people: $3,497
What Costs Can Be Taken Out?
Some costs don’t count toward your income. This helps you qualify.
Money taken out:
- Standard deduction ($204 for most families)
- 20% of job pay
- Child care costs
- High rent or house payments (up to $712 shelter deduction)
- Medical bills (if over 60 or disabled)
- Utility costs ($645 standard utility allowance)
Who Can Get California CalFresh?
You need more than the right income. You must also meet these rules:
Basic rules:
- Live in California
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant
- Have a Social Security number
- Own less than $2,750 in assets ($4,250 if over 60 or disabled)
What Counts as Assets?
Things that count:
- Money in bank accounts
- Cash you have
- Cars worth more than $15,000 (first car only)
Things that don’t count:
- Your home
- Your furniture
- Retirement savings (401k, IRA)
- Life insurance under $1,500
Work Rules for Adults
Healthy adults age 18-54 without kids must work or train. If you don’t work, you only get 3 months of help in 3 years.
You don’t need to work if you:
- Have kids under 18
- Are over 54 years old
- Are disabled
- Are pregnant
- Go to school
- Live in certain counties with high unemployment
How Much Money Will You Get?
The chart below is effective 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025 and provides the CF maximum monthly allotment.
Maximum monthly benefits:
- 1 person: $291
- 2 people: $535
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $973
- 5 people: $1,158
- 6 people: $1,390
- 7 people: $1,536
- 8 people: $1,751
Each extra person adds $219.
How Benefits Are Calculated
For every ten dollars of net income the household has, the CalFresh office will reduce the CalFresh allotment by three dollars.
Your benefit = Maximum amount – (30% of your net income)
Example:
- Family of 3 people
- Maximum benefit: $768
- Your net income: $1,000
- 30% of $1,000 = $300
- Your benefit: $768 – $300 = $468
Want to know your exact benefit amount? Use our California SNAP calculator to get your personalized estimate in seconds.
How to Apply for California CalFresh
Three easy ways to apply:
- Online: Go to GetCalFresh.org or BenefitsCal.com
- Phone: Call 1-877-847-3663
- In person: Visit your local county office
Apply online at GetCalFresh.org or BenefitsCal.com, in person at a county office, by mail, or call 1-877-847-3663.
Most people get an answer in 30 days. Emergency cases get help in 7 days.
Papers You Need
ID papers:
- Driver’s license or state ID
- Birth certificate
Money papers:
- Pay stubs from last 30 days
- Bank statements
- Disability or retirement letters
- Unemployment papers
Address papers:
- Utility bills
- Lease or rent agreement
Phone Interview
Everyone must do a phone interview. California will call you. You can ask to meet in person instead.
Bring all your papers to the interview. Missing papers will slow down your case.
Your EBT Card
Your benefits go on an EBT card each month. Use it like a debit card at grocery stores.
The EBT card works at most stores that sell food.
What You Can Buy
CalFresh can be used to buy any food or food product that is produced for human consumption. The exception to this is hot foods or lunch counter items prepared or heated in the store.
Yes – you can buy:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and fish
- Milk and cheese
- Bread and cereal
- Seeds to grow food
No – you cannot buy:
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Hot cooked food
- Pet food
- Soap and shampoo
Special California Programs
California has extra programs to help you:
CalFresh Healthy Living: Free nutrition classes Market Match: Extra money for farmers markets Restaurant Meals Program: Hot meals for elderly and disabled people
Check Your Benefits
Track your CalFresh money online at BenefitsCal.com. You can see:
- How much money you have left
- What you bought
- When your benefits expire
You can also call the number on your card.
Renewing Your Benefits
CalFresh benefits don’t last forever. You must renew them every 6-12 months.
California will send you a letter before they expire. Fill out the renewal forms on time. Don’t let your benefits stop.
Get Help Fast
Need food right now? You might get emergency benefits in 7 days if you earn less than $150 a month and have less than $100 available now.
You also qualify for fast help if your rent costs more than your income plus money you have.
Questions and Answers
Can students get CalFresh? Most students cannot get CalFresh. You need to work 20+ hours per week or meet special rules.
Does Social Security count as income? Yes. All Social Security payments count toward your income limit.
Can immigrants get CalFresh? Some immigrants can get CalFresh. You need proper documents and legal status.
What if my income changes? Tell your county office right away. Income changes can affect your benefits.
Can I get CalFresh if I’m homeless? Yes. Homeless people can get CalFresh. You don’t need a permanent address.
Different Counties, Same Rules
California has 58 counties. Each county runs CalFresh differently. But the income limits are the same everywhere.
Big counties:
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- San Diego County
- Alameda County
- Sacramento County
Find your county office online or call 211.
CalFresh and Other Programs
You can get CalFresh with other help programs:
Programs you can have together:
- Medi-Cal (health insurance)
- WIC (food for babies and kids)
- Housing assistance
- Cash aid (CalWORKs)
Getting one program might help you get others faster.
Tips to Get Approved
Make your application stronger:
- Give all papers they ask for
- Answer your phone when they call
- Tell them about all your costs (rent, utilities, medical bills)
- Apply online if you can – it’s faster
- Ask for help if you need it
Before you apply: Use our CalFresh benefits calculator 2025 to estimate your monthly food assistance amount.
Get Started Today
California CalFresh helps families buy healthy food. The income limits let many people qualify.
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.
Apply online at GetCalFresh.org. It’s the fastest way.
Don’t wait. Your family needs good food. Apply for CalFresh today.