Denied CalFresh with $2743 income but paying $1762 in rent - still qualify with high housing costs?

CalFresh does take housing costs into account through what's called the 'excess shelter deduction.' For 2025, they can deduct housing costs that exceed half your income, up to a cap of around $650 for most households. So if you're paying $1762 in rent alone, that's definitely something they should have factored in! You should absolutely appeal this decision. When you file your appeal, specifically mention your high housing costs and ask them to review the shelter deduction calculation. Make sure to bring proof of your rent (lease agreement) and any utility bills. You have 90 days from the date on your denial notice to file the appeal. And yes, food banks typically don't have strict income requirements like government benefits do. They're there to help anyone who needs food, regardless of income. Don't hesitate to use them while you sort this out!

food banks dont check ur income at all!! i went 2 one last week and they just asked how many ppl in my house, didnt even need ID at some places. u should def go, the one near me gives out fresh vegetables and even meat sometimes

I'm confused about your rent situation. You said total rent is $2740 but then you pay $1762 and roommate pays $980? That doesn't add up to $2740. Is there a typo somewhere? Maybe this confusion is why CalFresh denied you - they might think your expenses don't make sense. Just checking because sometimes small errors on applications can cause denials.

Your situation sounds very similar to what I dealt with last year. I was also denied despite high rent costs. The issue might be that your gross income (before deductions) is still being used for the initial eligibility screening. For a single person household in 2025, the gross monthly income limit is around $2430 for CalFresh. Since your income is $2743, you're over that initial threshold. HOWEVER, there's a special rule called "Categorical Eligibility" that might help you! If you have high housing costs, they're supposed to look at your net income after the shelter deduction. You should definitely request a reconsideration and specifically mention "Expanded Categorical Eligibility" and your high housing costs. By the way, when I was dealing with endless phone waits trying to reach someone about my case, I discovered this service called Claimyr that helped me actually get through to a real person at the county office. You might want to check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me hours of frustration when I was trying to appeal my case!

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! I was paying $1800 in rent last year and they STILL denied me because I made $100 over their stupid limit. They don't care how much your actual expenses are, they just use these arbitrary cutoffs to deny as many people as possible. The worker even told me "just quit one of your jobs if you want benefits" - are you kidding me?? Don't hold your breath waiting for them to be reasonable.

I'm a little confused... are you sure you're posting about CalFresh and not CalWORKs? The income limits are different between programs. For CalFresh a single person can make up to about $2430 gross monthly income in 2025, but for CalWORKs it's much lower. Either way, definitely appeal and mention your shelter costs! You usually have 90 days from the denial notice to file an appeal. Food banks are amazing resources and most don't check income at all. Some might ask basic questions but they're there to help everyone who needs food. Many have different distribution days for different neighborhoods, so check out several in your area to see which ones work best for your schedule.

Here's exactly what you need to do: 1. Request a fair hearing immediately - you have 90 days from the denial date but don't wait 2. Specifically request they review your case under the "excess shelter deduction" rules 3. Bring ALL documentation: lease showing your portion, utility bills, pay stubs, bank statements 4. Ask for an itemized calculation showing how they determined your eligibility For a single person household in 2025, the math works like this: - Gross income: $2743 (slightly above the gross limit of ~$2430) - Subtract standard deduction: ~$193 - Calculate shelter deduction: Your $1762 rent minus half your adjusted gross income You might qualify under special rules if your net income after these deductions falls below the limit. The worker who processed your application may have missed applying these deductions properly. In the meantime, definitely use food banks. There's a great directory at feedingamerica.org where you can find local options. Most don't have income requirements at all.

i thot calfresh was based on how many people r in ur house too? isnt the limit higher if u have more people?

Quick update on the income limits others have mentioned - for 2025, a single-person household can have gross monthly income up to $2430 for regular CalFresh. However, California has something called "Expanded Categorical Eligibility" which raises the gross limit to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level - about $2868 for a single person. So with your $2743 income, you should still be eligible for the initial screening! The issue might be with how your shelter deduction was calculated. When you appeal, make absolutely sure they understand that the $1762 is YOUR portion of the rent, not the household total. I've seen caseworkers make this mistake before, thinking the total rent is being reported rather than just your share. Also, do you pay utilities separately or is that included in your rent? If you pay utilities, you might qualify for the Standard Utility Allowance which adds about $500 to your shelter costs for deduction purposes.

This is exactly why I think it's so important for people to know their rights when applying for benefits! Your situation with $1762 in rent plus $180 in utilities definitely sounds like you should qualify once they properly calculate the shelter deduction. One thing I'd add - when you file your appeal, consider asking for an "aid pending" status. This means if you're found eligible during the appeal process, your benefits could be backdated to when you originally applied. Not everyone knows about this option but it can be really helpful. Also, since you mentioned feeling nervous about food banks - most are run by really kind volunteers who understand that anyone can need help with food. Many have become like little community hubs where you might even get information about other local resources. The ones I've been to have been nothing but welcoming and respectful. Good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have a really strong case once they apply all the deductions correctly.

I work at a local community center and we see situations like yours all the time - you're definitely not alone in this! The good news is that with your rent being $1762 plus utilities, you should absolutely qualify for CalFresh once they properly calculate your shelter deduction. A few practical tips for your appeal: Make sure to bring a copy of your lease that clearly shows your portion of the rent (not just the total), recent utility bills in your name, and your pay stubs. Sometimes it helps to write out the math yourself showing how much you have left after housing costs - it can be really eye-opening for the caseworker. While you're waiting for the appeal, I'd also suggest calling 211 (just dial 2-1-1). They can connect you with local food resources, emergency assistance programs, and other support services in your area. Many of these programs can help bridge the gap while you're getting your CalFresh sorted out. You're doing the right thing by advocating for yourself - don't give up! The system can be confusing but you clearly have a strong case here.