CalFresh denied us for 'making too much' from gig work - what income calculation method should I use?

The income calculation for gig work is definitely confusing. For CalFresh purposes, you need to report your NET self-employment income, not gross. This means you can deduct business expenses like gas, car maintenance, phone costs, etc. from what you earned doing Spark. \n\nFor a family of 3 in 2025, the gross monthly income limit is about $3,660 and the net income limit around $2,820. Since you've got a child with special needs, you might also qualify for certain deductions that would lower your countable income.\n\nWhen you reapply after leaving your job, bring:\n1. Documentation showing you've resigned\n2. A letter explaining your son's care needs\n3. Any medical documentation about your son's condition\n4. Proof of all expenses related to your son's care\n\nThis should help them reassess your situation properly.

Thank you! I didn't know we could deduct all those business expenses from the Spark income. The worker never explained that to me - she just kept asking for paystubs we don't have. I'll definitely highlight my son's care costs when I reapply after quitting. Do you know if I need to wait until after my last day of work to reapply, or can I do it now and just show them my resignation letter with the effective date?

they always do this!!! i did doordash for 6 months and they kept rejecting my income reports because i didnt have \

That's exactly how it feels! Like they're hoping we'll just stop trying. I might try your bank statement approach - at least those are \

I understand your frustration! The way CalFresh handles gig work is stuck in the past. For your reapplication after leaving your job, you'll want to submit a \

omg thx for sharing this! i waste like 2 hrs every time i try to call and still dont get thru half the time 😡

When I applied I had to fill out a Self-Employment form (not sure the exact number) where you list all income and expenses. You should be able to deduct mileage at the standard IRS rate which was like 67 cents per mile for 2024 I think? That adds up fast for delivery drivers! Also make sure to include phone costs, hot bags, insulated containers, etc.

The form is called the SAR 7A, and yes, the current IRS mileage rate for 2025 is $0.71 per mile. Great point about tracking mileage - that's often the biggest expense for delivery drivers and can significantly reduce your countable income for CalFresh purposes.

You should definitely appeal their decision. I've been through this process and won. Here's what worked for me:\n\n1. Request a fair hearing (you have 90 days from the denial notice)\n2. Get an Authorized Representative if possible (like a legal aid attorney)\n3. Submit a detailed accounting of your ACTUAL expenses vs. income\n4. Emphasize your child's special needs and associated costs\n\nAlso, look into whether you qualify for the

They didn't give me any specific calculation method, just kept saying they needed \

we were in same situation!!! the county worker told us we made to much but when i went to my recert appointment and brought my SON with me (he has down syndrome) the worker suddenly found all kinds of deductions and exemptions!!!! bring your child to the interview if possible, it sounds awful but it made them actually SEE why i needed the help

That's actually really smart. My son can get overwhelmed in new environments but maybe seeing him in person would help them understand our situation better than just reading about it on a form. I'll try to schedule an in-person interview when I reapply.

When you reapply, make sure to emphasize that you'll be a single-income household due to caregiving responsibilities. Also, look into whether your child might qualify for SSI based on his autism diagnosis - this could provide additional income AND make your CalFresh application stronger.\n\nYou should contact your local Family Resource Center (FRC) as they often have benefits navigators who can help with both CalFresh AND connecting you to other services for children with disabilities. They might even be able to help you complete the application and advocate on your behalf with the county.\n\nBest of luck with everything - caring for a child with special needs while navigating these systems is incredibly challenging.

Thank you so much for this advice. I hadn't thought about SSI, but that's definitely worth looking into. And I didn't even know Family Resource Centers existed! I'll look up our local one right away. It would be such a relief to have someone who knows the system help me through this process.

this happens ALL THE TIME with gig workers i swear they need better training!!!! when you quit your job make sure you get a letter from your employer saying your end date and final pay amount. also apply for calfresh AND calworks since you'll be caring for your son full time

One additional thing to consider - if you're caring for a child with autism, you might qualify for IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) which could provide you payment for some of the care hours you provide. This could give you some income while still allowing you to be home with your son. \n\nWhen you reapply for CalFresh, you can also ask for expedited service if your household income and resources are very low. This can get you benefits within 3 days instead of the normal 30-day processing time.

I've heard of IHSS but wasn't sure if we'd qualify. That would be amazing if I could get paid for some of the care hours. And I didn't know about expedited service - that would be incredibly helpful since we're really struggling right now. Thank you!