CalFresh benefit amount jumped from $95 to $640 this month - will it stay that high?
So confused right now! I've been getting CalFresh for about 8 months, and my benefit was always $95 each month (I think that was the pandemic minimum?). But when I checked my EBT card last month, they loaded $640! I didn't get any notice or explanation about why my benefits increased so dramatically. My situation hasn't changed - still same job, rent, and household size. Does anyone know why this might have happened? And more importantly, will I keep getting the higher amount this month or was it some kind of one-time adjustment? I'm scared to spend it all in case they say it was a mistake and I have to pay it back. Has anyone else experienced a random huge increase?
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Carmen Ortiz
the $95 minimum ended last year - they're probably just now giving you what youre actually eligible for. they recalculate benefits once or twice a year. did you turn in your SAR7 or recertification recently?
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Yuki Yamamoto
•Omg yes! I did my recertification interview about 6 weeks ago but didn't think anything changed. They asked about my rent and utilities but I've been paying the same amounts all along. So you think this is my actual benefit amount now? That would be amazing!
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Andre Rousseau
This is actually a common scenario in 2025. The $95 minimum you were receiving was likely because your income had qualified you for a lower amount, but during the pandemic emergency allotments, everyone got at least $95 regardless of their calculation. Those emergency allotments ended, but now the standard deductions and calculations have been updated. What likely happened is that when you completed your recertification, your case worker applied the current standard utility allowance (SUA) and shelter deduction to your calculation, which can dramatically increase benefits. If your rent is high compared to your income, this can make a huge difference. The new benefit amount is probably correct if nothing in your situation has changed (income, household size, etc.). You can verify this by checking your Notice of Action letter which should explain the new calculation. If you didn't receive one, contact your county office to confirm this is your correct benefit amount going forward.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Exactly right. The 2025 standard deduction amounts increased significantly, and many people are seeing much higher benefits after recertification. Also, they may have corrected how they're calculating your medical expenses or child support payments if those apply to you. The $640 is likely your correct amount going forward!
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Jamal Carter
had the EXACT same thing happen to me!!!! was getting the $95 for like a year then BAM $580 outta nowhere. i just spent it before they could take it back lol but next month i got the same higher amount again so i guess it was legit
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Yuki Yamamoto
•That's so relieving to hear! I was afraid to spend much of it because I worried it might be a system error. I'm a single parent so this extra food money makes a HUGE difference for us.
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AstroAdventurer
The important part is to check if you got a Notice of Action with the new benefit calculation. If you didn't get one, CALL YOUR COUNTY IMMEDIATELY! I've seen so many cases where they make calculation errors and then demand repayment later. I've been fighting an overpayment claim for MONTHS because of their mistake. If you can't get through on the phone (which is like 99% likely), I used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the county in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for 3+ hours. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their site is claimyr.com. Worth it to get confirmation that your benefit amount is correct so you don't have to stress about spending it.
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Mei Liu
•Does this claimyr thing actually work? I've been trying to reach my county for WEEKS about my discontinued benefits. Keep getting hung up on after waiting forever.
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AstroAdventurer
•Yeah it actually does. I was super skeptical but I was desperate after trying to call for 3 days straight and either getting disconnected or told to call back later. The service calls the county line for you and then calls your phone when they get a real person. Saved me literally hours of hold time.
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Liam O'Sullivan
This happend to me to but then my benfits got cut the next month!!! They said I earned to much even tho nothing changed!!! The system is so crazy sometimes I swear they just do things at random!!!!! Check ur income reporting threshold (IRT) on ur last benefit letter cause if u made even $1 over that theyll cut u and say it was an overpayment!
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Andre Rousseau
•That's not quite accurate. The Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) is the amount that triggers when you must report income changes MID-PERIOD, but your actual eligibility is based on your gross/net income limits, not the IRT. If your income is consistently over the gross/net limits but under the IRT, you'll still eventually be found ineligible at recertification or when you submit your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7). But you're right that OP should check their most recent Notice of Action to confirm both their IRT and their gross/net income limits to make sure they remain eligible.
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Jamal Carter
ur super lucky!! enjoy it while it lasts lol i wish i got $640
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Carmen Ortiz
its because of the new cost of living adjustments. calfresh benefits went up in october but not everyone sees the increases right away. they sometimes wait until your recertification to update your benefits. just make sure your income is reported correctly on your SAR7 and youll be fine
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Yuki Yamamoto
•Thank you! I just checked my mail pile and found a Notice of Action buried in there from 3 weeks ago. It does show the new calculation with my rent and utilities factored in (which they apparently weren't doing before?). The letter confirms my new monthly benefit is $640 going forward! I'm so relieved and grateful.
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Mei Liu
This happened to my sister last year! She was getting $95 then suddenly got like $400+ after her recertification. She called the county and they said it was because she was finally getting the correct calculation based on her rent and income. She's been getting the higher amount ever since so I think you're good! Just don't forget to turn in your SAR7 when it's due or they'll cut your benefits completely.
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Liam O'Sullivan
The SAME EXACT thing happened to me!!! I was getting the $95 minimum and then suddenly jumped to $525 after my recertification in January. I called and asked and they said it was because they finally applied my utility allowance and housing costs correctly. I've been getting the higher amount for 4 months now so I think it's permanent unless your circumstances change. Just make sure you report any income changes over your IRT!
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Romeo Quest
This is such great news! I'm so happy for you that you found your Notice of Action and confirmed the $640 is your correct ongoing benefit amount. It's really frustrating how the system works - they should have been calculating your rent and utilities properly from the beginning instead of just giving you the pandemic minimum. But at least now you're getting what you're actually entitled to! Make sure to keep that notice somewhere safe in case you ever need to reference it, and definitely don't forget about your SAR7 deadlines. Enjoy being able to buy more groceries for you and your family!
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Emma Johnson
•Congratulations on getting this sorted out! It's really eye-opening to see how many people have had similar experiences with the benefit calculation issues. I'm new to CalFresh myself and had no idea about the utility allowance and shelter deductions making such a big difference. This whole thread has been super helpful for understanding how the system actually works. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it gives me hope that if I ever have issues, there are people here who can help explain what's going on!
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