Who is eligible for CalFresh benefits?

Eligibility for CalFresh benefits, which is California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is primarily determined by several factors including income, household size, and specific circumstances related to the household members. Generally, to qualify for CalFresh, a household must meet specific income guidelines that are based on the Federal Poverty Level. As of the last available data, most households must have a gross income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Apart from income, CalFresh also considers the number of people living in the household when determining eligibility. A household can be as small as one person or include multiple family members. All sources of income, including wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and child support, are considered. Households with certain circumstances, such as those that include elderly or disabled individuals, may have different criteria and may be eligible for additional assistance. It is important to note that certain individuals, such as non-citizens, may also qualify under specific conditions. For instance, some legal immigrants may be eligible for benefits. Besides income and household composition, CalFresh takes into account the resources owned by the household, such as savings and certain types of property. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding eligibility, interested individuals should refer to the official CalFresh website, which provides details and tools to help determine eligibility more thoroughly.