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. Also, 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 Personally, 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: - Prescription costs and copays - Doctor visit copays - Transportation to medical appointments (mileage, bus fare, etc) - Medical equipment costs - Health insurance premiums you pay out of pocket - Over-the-counter medications prescribed by your doctor Many 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. Also, 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. With your rent being $1,400, you'll likely qualify for significant shelter deductions. Here's how they might calculate it: 1. They'll apply the standard deduction (about $193 for a single person) 2. They'll apply the standard utility allowance if utilities are included in rent 3. They'll take your shelter costs that exceed half of your adjusted income and deduct that amount After 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. Definitely 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!

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.

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.