CalFresh income limits for family of 5 in 2025? Urgent help needed!

congrats on the new job! i think for calfresh they look at gross income and for 5 ppl its around $5000-something per month. they do subtract some stuff like childcare and part of your rent but idk the exact math they use

For a household of 5 in 2025, the gross monthly income limit for CalFresh is $5,930. This is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level which California uses for the expanded categorical eligibility. They do take deductions into account when calculating your actual benefit amount: - 20% deduction from earned income - Standard deduction of $216 for household size 4-5 - Excess shelter costs (anything over 50% of your net income after other deductions) - Childcare expenses necessary for work or education Based on what you shared, you'd have a combined gross income of $5,400 which is under the limit, so you should still qualify. Your teenager's income would only count if they're under 18 AND they contribute income to the household food budget.

To answer your follow-up question about your teenager: If your 14-year-old gets a summer job, their income is typically NOT counted toward the household total IF: 1. They're a student (attending school at least half-time) 2. They're under 18 However, this exemption has limitations. Once your teenager earns above a certain threshold or if they're working full-time year-round rather than just summer jobs, different rules may apply. Make sure to report any changes to your county worker to avoid potential overpayment issues later.

@happygolucky Yes, the income limits are based on household size. For a single-person household in 2025, the gross monthly income limit is $2,430. At $2,800/month you're slightly over, which explains the denial. However, if you have high housing costs or medical expenses, it might be worth appealing or reapplying with emphasis on your deductions.

Anyone trying to reach the CalFresh office by phone should try Claimyr. I spent DAYS trying to get through the regular line about my income verification but kept getting disconnected. Used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me through to a real person in under 25 minutes. They basically hold your place in line and call you when a worker picks up. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 For the original question - definitely report your new income within 10 days of receiving it. Even if you're under the limit, your benefit amount might change based on the new calculations.

@happygolucky With your rent being $1,950 and medical expenses of $200, you should definitely reapply and make sure to provide all documentation for these expenses. These could significantly affect your net income calculation. You'll want to specifically request the medical expense deduction since you have recurring costs over $35/month.

The system is RIGGED against working families!!! My household of 4 made just $50 over the limit and they cut us off COMPLETELY. No gradual reduction, just DONE. I had to choose between a raise at work or keeping food benefits. What kind of choice is that??! They don't understand that $50 more in income doesn't cover $400 in lost CalFresh. The income limits are TOO LOW for 2025 with these insane housing costs!!!!!

@shoppingmom Yes, Claimyr worked for me in Sacramento County and several people I know in LA County. It's legit - they just hold your place in the phone queue and call you when a real person answers. Saved me from having to keep redialing for hours.

@happygolucky you can reapply right away! theres no waiting period for calfresh applications

Just a reminder that for your new job, CalFresh counts GROSS income (before taxes and deductions), not your take-home pay. A lot of people make this mistake when reporting. For a family of 5, you'd need to stay under $5,930 gross per month, and with your combined incomes of $5,400 you should be fine. Also, make sure to report your new income within 10 days of receiving your first paycheck, not when you get the job offer. The reporting timeline starts when you actually receive the money. You can report through BenefitsCal.com or by calling your county office.

my cousin has 6 kids and they get like $1,900 in calfresh every month! is that normal?? seems like so much but i guess with 8 people total maybe its right?

Just wanted to update everyone - I called my county office today (took forever to get through) and they confirmed we should still qualify with our new combined income. They said to make sure I submit our updated income info through the SAR7 form when I get it, and to include documentation of our childcare expenses and rent to maximize our deductions. Thanks everyone for your helpful advice!