The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP or CalFresh) eligibility requirement in California. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for California food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in California.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in California.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in California
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in California
- 2023 Income Limit for California Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in California
- Food Stamps in California FAQs
Food Stamps in California
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in California.
In California, the SNAP program is run by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
However, the day-to-day management of the program, including application processing and renewals is handled at the county level.
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in California?
To be eligible for SNAP in California, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a California resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for California Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in California, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2022/2023 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| California SNAP (CalFresh) Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2,266 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $3,052 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $3,839 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $4,625 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $5,412 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $6,199 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $6,985 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $7,772 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $787 | $394 |
We’ve also included the California Food Stamps Income Limit for fiscal year 2024 below.
The 2024 Calfresh Income Limits go into effect on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
| Calfresh Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2,430 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $3,288 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $4,144 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $5,858 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $6,714 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $7,570 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $8,428 | $4,214 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $858 | $429 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in California
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in California.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online.
Apply now online at: www.getcalfresh.org or BenefitsCal.com.
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-877-847-3663.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, you can visit your county’s Social Services Agency to apply in person.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in California FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about California Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for California Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in California or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-877-847-3663.
How Much Will I Receive in California Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in California, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In California, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $247.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in California SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How California Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Fiona and her family of six (6) have $2,760 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,760) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 2,760 Net Income for Fiona’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 828 Countable Income
$ 1,339 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$828 Countable income (round up)
$ 511 Monthly SNAP benefits for Fiona’s family
When are California EBT benefits deposited?
California food stamps benefits are deposited on your Calfresh EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. Calfresh EBT Deposit Dates are sent out during the first 10 days of each month.
The day your California food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the last digit of your Case Number.
Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your Calfresh EBT Card account by 5am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the California SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| If your Case Number ends in: | Calfresh benefits are deposited on the: |
| 1 | 1st of the month |
| 2 | 2nd of the month |
| 3 | 3rd of the month |
| 4 | 4th of the month |
| 5 | 5th of the month |
| 6 | 6th of the month |
| 7 | 7th of the month |
| 8 | 8th of the month |
| 9 | 9th of the month |
| 0 | 10th of the month |
How Many People are on Food Stamps in California?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in California | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 4,396,992 | 5,044,603 | 14.7% |
| Number of Households | 2,437,879 | 2,865,660 | 17.5% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $1,056,145,515.00 | $1,243,710,332.00 | 17.8% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
How long can you receive Calfresh benefits for?
CalFresh households must “recertify” their eligibility in order to keep continuously receiving CalFresh benefits.
To do this, they must complete a new application before the 15th of the month when their certification period will end.
In California, most households have a 12-month certification period.
Some households with elderly or disabled members have a 24-month certification period.
Households that only have elderly and/or disabled members and no earned income are certified for 36 months.
Can I get CalFresh if I am not a United States citizen?
You may be eligible to receive Calfresh if you are a “qualified” noncitizen. This includes Permanent Legal Residents (holders of a green card), refugees, asylees (an individual who has been granted asylum), and individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal.
In addition, Cuban/Haitian entrants, individuals paroled into the U.S. for a least one year by immigration authorities, conditional entrants (temporary green card).
Furthermore, certain victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking (T visa), and applicants for U visa/interim relief are also eligible for CalFresh.
What stores accept California EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 27 stores that accept Calfresh EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your Calfresh EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your California SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept California food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- Brothers Marketplace
- Cardenas Markets
- Co-opportunity Market
- ExtraMile by Jacksons
- Food 4 Less
- FoodMaxx
- Gong’s IGA Market
- Jacksons Food Stores
- Jimbo’s Naturally
- Lucky Supermarkets
- Mar Val Foods
- Pavilions
- Rancho San Miguel Markets
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Save Mart Supermarkets
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Stater Bros.
- Super King Market
- Superior Grocers
- Target
- The Market by Superior
- Vons
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
Income Limit for California Food Stamps Summary
We hope this article on Income Limit for California Food Stamps was helpful.
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If you have additional questions about the California SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about California Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check California EBT Card Balance
- California EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- How to Buy Groceries Online with California EBT
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items