CalFresh Eligibility

According to CalFresh, a "household" is a group of people who regularly buy and eat food together. The people in a household do not have to be related to each other.

• Households can be as small as one person
• The same address can have more than one household (i.e., if you are sharing a house with roommates and apply separately OR if there are multiple families in your house)
• You don’t need to have a home to receive CalFresh (i.e. residing in a shelter facility or automobile)

At least ONE person in your household must have a social security number. This can be a child applying for benefits on behalf of the family.

Your pre-tax income must be less than the amount allowed (see chart)

Use this chart to see if your household’s monthly income, before taxes and other deductions, is under the limit allowed for your household size.

• Please note the following household types that must apply together:
  • Children under the age of 22 who are living with their biological, adoptive, or stepparent(s)
  • A married couple who lives together
  • An unmarried couple living together with a common child

What if I own a car? You can own a car and still qualify for CalFresh.

What if I have a job? You can have a job and still qualify for CalFresh.

What if I own my home? You can own the home you live in and still qualify for CalFresh.

What if I am homeless? You can qualify for CalFresh even if you do not have a home, address, or place to cook. People without homes can often get benefits within three days.

What if no one in my household is a U.S. citizen? You may still qualify if you or someone in your household has a Green Card, or is a lawful permanent resident (LPR). For additional information see the USDA Food and Nutrition Service policy on Non-Citizen Eligibility at
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility/citizen/non-citizen-policy.

Can I qualify if I do not have a family? Individuals can qualify for CalFresh. You do not have to have children to qualify.

Can I get CalFresh if I am in the military? If you meet the eligibility requirements you can qualify for CalFresh if you are in the military.

I live with roommates, but we buy separate groceries. Will we be a household of 1 or 2? For CalFresh purposes, a household is defined as an individual, couple, or family that purchases and prepares food together, meets certain income guidelines, and has U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency. If each roommate purchases and prepares food separately, each will be a household of one.

I am 21 and live with my parents; can I apply for CalFresh as my own household? People who must apply together include:

• A married couple who lives together
• Children under 22 living with their biological, adoptive, or stepparent(s)
• An unmarried couple living together with a common child