CalFresh-Eligibility

Eligibility

If you are a California resident with low or no income, you may be eligible for CalFresh. This includes the following:

Homeless individuals
Students, in higher education, who meet eligibility requirements
Individuals receiving SSI/SSP
Some legal immigrants

A CalFresh household includes anyone living together who regularly purchases and prepares meals together. The CalFresh benefit amount is dependent on household size, income, and expenses. 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.

Household Size	Maximum Gross Income	Maximum Benefit Amount
1	$2,610	$298
2	$3,526	$546
3	$4,442	$785
4	$5,360	$994
5	$6,276	$1,183
6	$7,192	$1,421
7	$8,110	$1,571
8	$9,026	$1,789
Each Additional Member	+$918	+$218

(CalFresh benefit table effective 10/1/2025 - 9/30/2026)

Expedited Service CalFresh (ESCF)

Immediate food assistance may be available for certain eligible applicants. ESCF must be processed within three (3) calendar days of your CalFresh application date.

You may be eligible for ESCF if you meet one of the following requirements:

Your household's monthly gross income (before taxes) is less than $150 and liquid resources are $100 or less.
Your household's combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than the combined monthly rent/mortgage and utility expenses.
You are a migrant or seasonal worker with $100 or less in liquid resources

All CalFresh applications are automatically screened for ESCF.

Elderly and/or Disabled Member Medical Expenses

Individuals who are elderly (60 years or older) or disabled and incur over $35.00 and up to $185.00 in verified medical expenses, are eligible for a standard medical deduction. For verified medical expenses over $185.00, individuals are eligible to deduct actual medical expenses.

Eligible medical expenses include, but are not limited to:

Costs of medical and dental care, including co-payments.
Prescribed medication and medical supplies.
Medicare premiums or Medi-Cal Share of Cost (SOC).
Transportation costs for medical treatment or services.

For a complete list of qualifying expenses, see our Medical Deductions Flyer.

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)

ABAWD time limits are returning beginning June 1, 2026. Beginning June 1, 2026, ABAWDs are defined as individuals age 18-64, able to work, and do not qualify for an exemption from the ABAWD time limit. New applications for CalFresh received on or after June 1, 2026, will be screened for ABAWD status. For current CalFresh recipients, ABAWD status will be screened for at your next recertification due on or after June 1, 2026.

Individuals who meet the definition of ABAWD are limited to three (3) full months of CalFresh benefits within a 36-month period unless the ABAWD individual meets one of the following criteria:

Satisfies the ABAWD work requirement (work or participate in work activities, such as the CalFresh Employment and Training Program, for an average of 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month), or
Has an exemption from the ABAWD time limit, or
Is granted a discretionary exemption, or
Lives in a county or area with an ABAWD time limit waiver.

For more information on ABAWD, including the work requirement and exemptions click here.

CalFresh for Immigrants and Refugees

Important changes to CalFresh eligibility for noncitizens are coming April 1, 2026. Beginning April 1, 2026, noncitizen eligibility for CalFresh will be limited to the following:

U.S. Citizens
Noncitizen U.S. Nationals
Lawfully Permanent Residents (LPRs, also known as Green Card holders)
Cuban or Haitian entrants
Individuals residing in the U.S. in accordance with a Compact of Free Associate (COFA) agreement.

Additionally, battered noncitizens and some conditional entrants, T-/U-Visa holders/applicants, and parolees (beginning June 1, 2026), may be eligible for the state-funded California Food Assistance Program or CFAP. Noncitizens applying for or recertifying for CalFresh will be screened for CalFresh and CFAP eligibility at the time of their application or recertification.

All other noncitizens will no longer be considered eligible for CalFresh beginning April 1, 2026. For current noncitizen CalFresh recipients, noncitizen eligibility will be re-evaluated at your next recertification beginning on or after April 1, 2026.

All children born in the United States (U.S.) can get CalFresh benefits if they qualify, no matter where their parents were born or their parents’ immigration status. Information given to the Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) is confidential and only used to determine eligibility for benefits.

For more information on immigration resources and public benefits, click here.

For more information on Calfresh noncitizen changes, see the flyers and FAQs below in the following languages:

If you have any questions, visit an ACSSA office or call us at (510) 263-2420 or 1 (888) 999-4772 (toll free).