Does SSDI count as income for CalFresh eligibility? Confused about disability benefits

Hi there! Yes, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) does count as income for CalFresh. However, don't assume you won't qualify! CalFresh uses something called the

Thank you so much for explaining! I did provide my lease agreement, but I didn't know about the utility allowance thing. My utilities are included in my rent, does that still count? And do medical expenses matter? I spend about $300 a month on medications and doctor visits that Medicare doesn't cover.

When i was on SSDI they counted every penny of it and i only got like $20 in food stamps it was barely worth the hassle lol

This actually isn't accurate for everyone - the benefit amount depends on your specific circumstances. Even $20/month is $240/year in food assistance that you're entitled to. Plus, in some counties, having CalFresh automatically qualifies you for other benefits like discounted utility rates or phone service, so it can be worth it beyond just the food benefit amount.

SSDI definitely counts as income. But you should also know that people who receive disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI) can deduct medical expenses over $35 from their income when calculating CalFresh eligibility. If you have high medical costs, make sure to tell your eligibility worker and provide receipts or statements showing those expenses. This could significantly increase your benefit amount.\n\nAlso, if you're receiving SSDI, you might want to check if you're eligible for SSI as well. Some people qualify for both. SSI recipients are automatically eligible for CalFresh in California under expanded categorical eligibility rules.

I had no idea about the medical expense deduction! I spend about $300 monthly on prescription copays and doctor visits. I'll definitely ask about that. I applied for SSI years ago but was denied because my SSDI payment was too high. Maybe I should try again?

The system is RIGGED against disabled people!!! They count our SSDI even though we PAID INTO THE SYSTEM for years to get those benefits, then they give us a tiny amount of food assistance that doesn't even cover a week's groceries. Meanwhile my neighbor who hasn't worked a day in her life gets $450 in EBT!!! Make it make sense!!!

i get where ur coming from but benefits are based on household size and expenses too not just income. ur neighbor prob has kids or something

Have u tryed calling ur county office to ask? They should be able to tell u exactly how it works for ur situation

I tried calling a few times but kept getting stuck in the automated system. I was on hold for over an hour yesterday before I had to hang up for a doctor's appointment. It's so frustrating!

If you're having trouble reaching someone at the county, I'd recommend using Claimyr. It's a service that calls the CalFresh office for you and then connects you once they've reached a human being. Saved me hours of hold time when I had an issue with my case last month. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8\n\nPersonally, I think it's worth it to avoid the frustration of calling over and over. With your medical expenses, you really should talk directly to an eligibility worker to make sure those are being properly deducted.

Thank you so much for this recommendation! I just watched the video and this seems like exactly what I need. I'm going to try it tomorrow morning. I definitely need to talk to an actual person about these medical deductions.

Just to add to what others have mentioned - make sure you're submitting your COMPLETE medical expenses. This includes:\n\n- Prescription costs and copays\n- Doctor visit copays\n- Transportation to medical appointments (mileage, bus fare, etc)\n- Medical equipment costs\n- Health insurance premiums you pay out of pocket\n- Over-the-counter medications prescribed by your doctor\n\nMany people don't realize all these can count as medical deductions. For CalFresh purposes in 2025, if you're elderly (60+) or disabled, any medical expenses over $35 per month can be deducted, which could increase your benefit amount significantly.\n\nAlso, when you do connect with a worker, ask specifically about the 'medical deduction' and make sure they're aware you receive disability benefits. Sometimes workers forget to apply all the deductions you're entitled to.

This is so helpful! I had no idea transportation to appointments could count. I spend about $50 a month on ride services to get to my specialists since I can't drive anymore. I'll definitely gather all these receipts before I call them.

i got ssdi too and i get calfresh its not much but helps. make sure u tell them bout ur rent being high thats what helped me

How much do u get if u dont mind me asking? I'm on SSDI too and wondering if its worth applying again

i get $87 a month for just me. better than nothing i guess

One important thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: the income limits for CalFresh are adjusted annually. For 2025, a single-person household like yours has a gross monthly income limit of $2,430 and a net monthly income limit of $1,869 after deductions. Your SSDI amount of $1,950 is under the gross limit, which is good news.\n\nWith your rent being $1,400, you'll likely qualify for significant shelter deductions. Here's how they might calculate it:\n\n1. They'll apply the standard deduction (about $193 for a single person)\n2. They'll apply the standard utility allowance if utilities are included in rent\n3. They'll take your shelter costs that exceed half of your adjusted income and deduct that amount\n\nAfter these deductions, plus any medical expense deductions over $35, your net income could be well below the limit. This would qualify you for benefits, potentially around $50-150 monthly depending on your final calculations.\n\nDefinitely follow up and make sure they have ALL your expense information!

Thank you for breaking this down so clearly! This gives me hope that I might qualify for a meaningful amount. Even $50-150 would make a big difference in my food budget right now. I'm definitely going to call and make sure they have all my expense information.

I went through a similar situation when I first applied for CalFresh while receiving disability benefits! The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of ALL my expenses - not just the obvious ones. One tip that really made a difference: if you're having trouble getting through to your county office, try calling right when they open (usually 8 AM) or during lunch hours when call volume might be lower. Also, some counties have walk-in hours where you can speak to someone in person without an appointment. Since you mentioned spending $300 monthly on medical expenses, that medical deduction could really help your case. Make sure to gather documentation for everything - even small copays add up! And don't forget about any medical transportation costs you might have. Given your rent amount and medical expenses, you'll likely qualify for benefits. The calculation can be complex with all the deductions, but it sounds like you have legitimate expenses that should work in your favor. Keep pushing to get that human contact - you deserve the benefits you're entitled to!

Emily, I'm glad you found this community! As someone who works with disability benefits, I want to emphasize that you should absolutely pursue this - your situation sounds like you could qualify for meaningful CalFresh benefits. A few practical tips for when you call: - Have all your documents ready: SSDI award letter, lease agreement, medical receipts, utility bills - Ask specifically for the "medical expense deduction" and mention you're disabled - this is a key deduction many workers forget to apply - If the first worker seems rushed or unfamiliar with disability deductions, politely ask to speak with a supervisor Your $1,950 SSDI income puts you well within the gross income limits, and with your high rent ($1,400) plus medical expenses ($300+), you should qualify for substantial deductions. Don't let anyone discourage you by saying your SSDI is "too high" - that's not how the calculation works with all the deductions you're entitled to. One last thing: if you get approved, make sure to ask about the California Lifeline program for discounted phone service - CalFresh recipients automatically qualify and it can save you another $10-20 monthly. Keep us posted on how it goes! This community is here to support you through the process.

Hey Emily! I'm so glad you found this thread - I was in almost the exact same situation when I first applied for CalFresh while on SSDI. Your income level and expenses sound very similar to what mine were. One thing I learned the hard way is that the initial eligibility worker interview can be overwhelming and they don't always explain things clearly. Don't worry if you missed some details during that first conversation - that's totally normal! The important thing is that you can always provide additional information later. Based on what you've shared (SSDI of $1,950, rent of $1,400, and $300 in medical expenses), you should definitely qualify for CalFresh benefits. Your medical expenses alone will give you a significant deduction since anything over $35 monthly counts for people receiving disability benefits. Here's what really helped me: I created a simple folder with all my documents organized - SSDI award letter, lease agreement, all my medical receipts for the past few months, and even my medication bottles with the pharmacy labels showing costs. Having everything in one place made it so much easier when I finally got through to a worker. The folks here have given you amazing advice about Claimyr and calling at specific times. I'd also suggest asking your county office if they have any disability advocates or specialists who can help walk you through the process - some counties have people specifically trained to help folks on disability navigate the system. You've got this! Don't let the bureaucracy wear you down - you deserve these benefits and this community is here to help you through it.

Emily, I just wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful! If you're still having trouble getting through to your county office after trying the suggestions here, you can also reach out to your local Independent Living Center (ILC). California has ILCs in every region, and they often have advocates who specialize in helping people with disabilities navigate benefit applications like CalFresh. You can find your local ILC through the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers website. They're completely free and many of them have staff who can even do three-way calls with you and the county office to help advocate for your case. Also, just to echo what others have said about your medical expenses - that $300 monthly is actually a really significant deduction! Since you're disabled, they subtract anything over $35, so that's $265 they'll deduct from your income calculation. Combined with your high rent and the standard deductions, your net income for CalFresh purposes will likely be much lower than your actual SSDI amount. Keep pushing forward - based on everything you've shared, you absolutely should qualify for meaningful benefits. The system can be frustrating but you have a strong case and this community is rooting for you!

Emily, I've been following your thread and wanted to share something that might help streamline your process. Since you're dealing with multiple medical expenses and transportation costs, consider asking your county worker about the "simplified medical deduction" if they offer it. Some counties allow people with ongoing medical expenses over $35 to use a standardized monthly medical deduction amount rather than tracking every single receipt. Also, when you do get through to someone, make sure they code you correctly as "disabled" in the system - this ensures you get all the deductions you're entitled to, including the medical expense deduction and potentially different income calculation methods. One more thing: if your SSDI includes any retroactive payments or you received a lump sum when you were first approved, make sure the worker understands that's not ongoing monthly income. Sometimes there's confusion about one-time payments vs. regular monthly benefits. Your situation really does sound like you should qualify for substantial benefits. With rent at $1,400 and medical expenses at $300+, plus the standard deductions, your net countable income will be significantly lower than that $1,950 SSDI payment. Don't give up - the math should work in your favor once everything is properly calculated!

Emily, I wanted to jump in here because your situation hits close to home - I'm also on SSDI and went through the CalFresh application process last year. The amount of helpful information in this thread is incredible! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: when you finally get through to a worker, ask them to walk you through the actual calculation step-by-step. Don't be afraid to ask questions if something doesn't make sense. I found that some workers appreciate when you're engaged and want to understand the process rather than just passively accepting whatever they tell you. Also, if you end up qualifying (which based on your expenses, you very likely will), make sure to ask about the recertification timeline. For people on disability with stable income like SSDI, they often give you longer recertification periods - sometimes 12 or even 24 months instead of the standard 6 months. This means less paperwork and fewer interviews down the road. The fact that you're being so thorough about gathering all your documentation and seeking advice shows you're doing everything right. Between your high rent, significant medical expenses, and all the standard deductions available to people receiving disability benefits, I'm optimistic you'll qualify for meaningful assistance. Keep us posted on your progress - this community really does care about helping each other navigate these systems successfully!

Emily, I've been following your journey through this thread and I'm so impressed by how thoroughly you're preparing for your next call! As someone who's helped family members navigate CalFresh while on disability, I wanted to add one more consideration that might be relevant to your situation. Since you mentioned your utilities are included in your rent, make sure the worker applies the correct utility allowance. Even when utilities are included, CalFresh often allows a "standard utility allowance" deduction that can add $50-100+ to your monthly deductions. Some workers forget to apply this, especially if they see "utilities included" and assume no deduction applies. Also, I noticed you mentioned spending about $50 monthly on ride services for medical appointments. If you keep any records of these trips (receipts, ride app history, etc.), those transportation costs can count toward your medical expense deduction too. Even small amounts add up over a year! Given everything you've shared - your SSDI amount, rent costs, medical expenses, and transportation needs - you really should qualify for substantial CalFresh benefits. The combination of all these deductions will significantly reduce your countable income below the $1,950 SSDI amount. One last tip: if the first worker you reach seems rushed or unfamiliar with disability-related deductions, don't hesitate to politely ask if there's someone who specializes in disability cases. You deserve someone who will take the time to ensure you get all the benefits you're entitled to. Wishing you the best of luck with your call Monday morning! This community will be here to celebrate your success.

Hi! Im on SSDI as well. I Also would like to share if you dont already know that SNAP qualifies you for other programs such as discounts off utility bills. I get 30% discount off my Edison electric bill and 20% off my SoCal gas bill. Edison also has a program that will replace old appliances that's not energy efficient. I got my refrigerator and stand up freezer replaced totally free. Due to I rent, they only will replace appliances that were mine. If its your own home, they can replace water heaters, dishwashers, etc. I also qualified through Edison for 1 $650 rebate on a portable generator and $150 rebate for up to 6 portable stations because I live in a high fire zone zipcode. I'm very resourceful, I leave nothing on the table.