Forgot to report stock income on CalFresh application - worried about eligibility and resource limits

You need to report this change right away. For CalFresh, you're required to report any income changes that put you over 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (your Income Reporting Threshold or IRT). For a household of 1 in 2025, that's about $1,570 monthly gross income. As for resources - CalFresh does have a $2,000 asset limit ($3,500 if elderly or disabled), BUT stocks and investments definitely count toward this limit. With $18,500 in stocks, you're unfortunately well over the resource limit for CalFresh eligibility regardless of your income. Call your county office immediately and explain the situation. It was likely an honest mistake, but continuing to receive benefits when you're over the resource limit could result in an overpayment that you'd have to pay back.

dont stress too much! i did somethin similar last yr - forgot to mention my side gig income. just call ur worker n explain. they usually give u chance to fix it if ur honest. but yea the stock thing might b a bigger issue than the income part

I think the previous poster isn't entirely correct about the resource limits. While there is a $2,000 limit for most households, California has implemented Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) which actually eliminates the asset test for many CalFresh households. If your gross income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (around $2,430 for a single person in 2025), your resources/assets may not count against you. Definitely report the dividend income you forgot to mention, but don't panic about the stocks yet. When you call, specifically ask your eligibility worker about BBCE and whether your case qualifies for the modified resource rules.

the stocks r DEFINITELY gonna b a problem!! my sister got kicked off calfresh for having like $2500 in a savings account they found during verification!!! the system is so unfair - they basically want u to have NOTHING before they help u. good luck but prepare to lose benefits :

Have you tried calling the county office yet? I've been trying to reach my CalFresh worker for THREE WEEKS about a similar issue with unreported income. The phone system is absolutely ridiculous - either busy signals or being on hold for 2+ hours only to get disconnected. I've literally called 26 times over the past month. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that held my place in line and called me back when a real person was available. Saved me hours of frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Good luck with your situation. I'd focus on getting through to a real person who can explain the BBCE rules everyone's talking about.

LISTEN UP!! There's a lot of confusion here. I went through this EXACT situation last year. Here's what you need to know: 1. YES report the dividend income you forgot. It's better to self-report than have them find it later. 2. The resource limit is COMPLICATED. For most people, the $2000 limit is waived because of BBCE like someone mentioned. BUT CERTAIN TYPES OF RESOURCES ARE STILL COUNTED EVEN UNDER BBCE. 3. You need to talk to your specific county because they interpret the rules differently sometimes. 4. If you DO end up over-resource, you can reduce resources by spending down or possibly transferring assets (BUT BE CAREFUL - some transfers can trigger penalties). Oh and request a fair hearing if they try to charge you an overpayment without exploring all these options first!!

just wondering... do ur parents claim u as a dependent on there taxes? because if they do then ur supposed to be on there calfresh not ur own application. thats another thing that might cause problems.

After reading all the comments, here's what you should do: 1. Call your county office tomorrow and report the dividend income you forgot to mention. Explain it was an honest mistake. 2. Ask specifically about BBCE (Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility) and whether your stocks are exempt under those rules given your income level. 3. If they say you're over the resource limit, ask if there are any exemptions that might apply to your situation or if there's a way to restructure your assets. 4. Request written notice of any decision they make about your eligibility. 5. If they determine you've received an overpayment, you can request a repayment plan. The good news is that if you self-report, they generally don't pursue fraud charges for honest mistakes. But don't delay - the longer you wait, the more complex the situation becomes.

Hey there! I can totally understand your stress about this - it's scary when you realize you missed something important on your application. The good news is that you're being proactive about fixing it now rather than hoping it goes unnoticed. From what I've learned through my own CalFresh journey, the key things to remember are: 1. Self-reporting is always better than them discovering it later 2. The BBCE rules that others mentioned can be a lifesaver - definitely ask about those 3. Most counties are pretty understanding when it's clearly an honest mistake One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - when you call, consider asking them to walk you through exactly what counts as a "resource" under current California rules. Sometimes workers have different interpretations, and getting clarity upfront can save you a lot of anxiety. Also, if you do end up needing to make changes to your benefits, ask about the transition process. Sometimes there are ways to phase things that make it less disruptive. You've got this! The fact that you're addressing it head-on shows you're handling it the right way.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar when I first applied for CalFresh and forgot to mention some freelance work I'd done. The anxiety was overwhelming, but it worked out okay in the end. A few things that might help ease your mind while you're preparing to call: 1. Document everything - write down exactly what income you forgot to report, the amounts, and the timeframe. This shows you're being thorough and honest. 2. If you're having trouble getting through by phone (which seems common based on other comments), try calling right when they open or consider visiting the office in person if that's possible for you. 3. When you do speak with someone, ask them to explain the BBCE rules in detail and get confirmation about which assets count under your specific situation. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if something doesn't make sense. 4. If they tell you that you're ineligible due to resources, ask about the appeals process and your rights. Sometimes there are nuances in the rules that the first person you speak with might not know. The fact that you realized this mistake and are taking action to fix it shows you're acting in good faith. That usually counts for a lot with caseworkers. Try to stay calm and remember that many people have been in similar situations and found ways to resolve them. Keep us updated on how it goes - this community is really supportive and your experience might help someone else facing the same issue!

I'm reading through all these responses and wanted to add something that might help ease your stress a bit. I work in social services (not CalFresh specifically, but similar programs) and I can tell you that caseworkers deal with forgotten income disclosures ALL the time. It's honestly one of the most common issues we see - people inherit things, forget about small income sources, or just get overwhelmed by all the paperwork. The fact that you're self-reporting this before your next review or before they discover it during a verification process is going to work heavily in your favor. When people try to hide income and we find it later, that's when it becomes a bigger problem. Definitely ask about the BBCE rules others mentioned - California really did implement these to help people in situations exactly like yours. And if you do end up with an overpayment, most counties are willing to work with you on reasonable repayment plans. One more tip: if you're nervous about the phone call, you can always start by submitting a written report of the change first (through your online account or by mail/fax) and then follow up with a phone call. That way you have documentation that you reported it on a specific date. You're handling this the right way. Take a deep breath and remember that most people working in these programs genuinely want to help you stay eligible if possible.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share some additional resources that might help you navigate this situation. First, the California Department of Social Services has a really helpful CalFresh handbook online that breaks down the BBCE rules everyone's mentioning - it's worth reading through the asset exemption section before you call. Also, if you're worried about potential overpayments, know that California has an "innocent spouse" type provision for honest mistakes. If you can show that the unreported income was genuinely forgotten (not intentionally hidden), they often waive fraud penalties even if there is a technical overpayment. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your stocks are in a retirement account like an IRA or 401k that you can't easily access, those are typically exempt regardless of the BBCE rules. But regular brokerage account stocks are trickier. Document everything from your phone call tomorrow, including the worker's name and what they tell you about your specific situation. If you get conflicting information from different workers (which unfortunately happens), having those details will help if you need to escalate. You're being incredibly responsible by addressing this proactively. Most people in your situation end up keeping their benefits once they work through the proper reporting channels.

I just wanted to add one more reassuring perspective here - I've been receiving CalFresh for about 3 years and have had to report several income changes during that time, including one situation where I forgot to mention some seasonal work income. The process was way less scary than I expected! When you call tomorrow, here's what helped me feel more prepared: have your case number ready, know the exact dates and amounts of the income you forgot to report, and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat information if you're taking notes. The workers are used to these conversations and they generally appreciate when someone is being proactive. Also, I see people mentioning the busy phone lines - if you have trouble getting through, try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mid-morning. Mondays and Fridays tend to be the busiest in my experience. One last thing - if you do end up having to make any changes to your benefits, ask about the timeline for when changes take effect. Sometimes you get a grace period to adjust, which can be helpful for planning your grocery budget. You've gotten such great advice in this thread already. The combination of self-reporting quickly, understanding the BBCE rules, and having all your documentation ready is really going to work in your favor. Good luck with your call tomorrow!

I wanted to chime in with some encouragement after reading through this whole thread! As someone who's navigated the CalFresh system for a few years now, I can tell you that your proactive approach is exactly the right way to handle this situation. A few additional thoughts that might help: When you call, don't just ask about BBCE eligibility - also ask specifically if there are any "excluded resources" that might apply to your inherited stocks. Sometimes there are exemptions that aren't immediately obvious, especially for assets you didn't choose to acquire. If you do end up needing to reduce your resources to maintain eligibility, ask about what counts as "allowable spending down" versus what might be considered improper transfer of assets. There are legitimate ways to use resources for things like education, home repairs, or paying down debt that don't trigger penalties. Also, keep in mind that even if your current benefits are affected, you might still be eligible for emergency CalFresh or other food assistance programs while you sort everything out. Don't let fear of losing everything prevent you from being honest about your situation. You're clearly someone who wants to do the right thing, and that attitude goes a long way with caseworkers. The fact that you caught this yourself and are reporting it voluntarily shows good faith. Best of luck with your call - you've got this!

Reading through all these responses has been so educational! I'm in a similar situation where I'm worried about reporting changes, and seeing how supportive and knowledgeable this community is gives me hope. One thing I wanted to add that might help you feel more prepared - consider writing down a few key questions before your call tomorrow so you don't forget anything important in the moment. Based on all the great advice here, maybe something like: 1. Does my income level qualify me for BBCE asset exemptions? 2. Are there any "excluded resource" rules for inherited stocks? 3. If I'm over resource limits, what are my options for allowable spend-down? 4. What's the timeline for any benefit changes if needed? Also, I noticed someone mentioned getting things in writing - that's such good advice. Even if they give you good news over the phone, having written confirmation of your eligibility status can save headaches later. You're handling this situation with such integrity, and I really admire how you're facing it head-on instead of hoping it goes away. That kind of honesty and responsibility is exactly what will work in your favor. Wishing you the best outcome when you make that call!

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with how thoroughly this community has helped you think through this situation! As someone who works with low-income families navigating benefits, I see people stress about these kinds of reporting issues all the time, and you're absolutely doing everything right. One small addition to all the excellent advice you've received - when you call tomorrow, if the first person you speak with seems unsure about the BBCE rules or gives you information that conflicts with what you've learned here, don't hesitate to politely ask to speak with a supervisor or someone who specializes in asset limit determinations. These rules can be complex and not every front-line worker is fully up to date on all the exemptions. Also, since you mentioned this involves inherited stocks, there might be additional considerations around how long you've owned them or whether there were any estate planning aspects that could affect how they're categorized. It's worth mentioning that they were inherited when you discuss your situation. The fact that you're being so proactive and transparent about this mistake shows exactly the kind of good faith effort that caseworkers appreciate. Combined with all the preparation you're doing based on everyone's advice here, I think you're in the best possible position to get this resolved favorably. Best of luck with your call!

I just wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful for your situation tomorrow. The California Department of Social Services has a CalFresh Advocacy Toolkit that includes specific language about BBCE and asset exemptions that you can reference if you need to advocate for yourself during the call. Also, I noticed you mentioned feeling panicked about this initially - that's completely understandable! But I want to emphasize something that I think got a bit lost in all the technical discussion: the fact that you're self-reporting a mistake you made shows incredible integrity. Most people in your situation would either ignore it and hope it doesn't come up, or stress about it endlessly without taking action. You're doing neither - you're facing it head-on and trying to make it right. That proactive honesty is going to matter so much more to your caseworker than the actual mistake itself. In my experience with these programs, workers deal with genuine fraud attempts regularly, so when someone calls to voluntarily report income they forgot to mention, it immediately signals that you're operating in good faith. One last practical tip based on what others have shared - if you do end up on hold for a long time tomorrow, don't hang up if you can avoid it. Sometimes people get discouraged after 30-45 minutes and hang up, but often you're actually close to getting through at that point. You've got such a solid plan now thanks to everyone's advice. I have a really good feeling about how this is going to go for you!

I wanted to follow up on this thread because I just went through a very similar situation a few months ago, and I think my experience might help calm some of your nerves about tomorrow's call. I had forgotten to report some irregular consulting income on my CalFresh application, and like you, I was absolutely terrified when I realized my mistake. I called myself to report it, expecting the worst, but the caseworker was actually really understanding. She walked me through the BBCE rules and explained that because my total income was still under the 200% poverty threshold, the asset limits didn't apply to my case. The key thing that worked in my favor (and will likely work in yours too) was that I called to report it myself rather than waiting for them to discover it. The caseworker specifically mentioned that self-reporting shows good faith and that they see people trying to hide income all the time, so voluntary disclosure is always viewed positively. One thing I'd add to all the great advice you've gotten - when you call, be prepared for the possibility that they might need to put your case on hold temporarily while they review everything. In my case, they suspended my benefits for about two weeks while they recalculated my eligibility, but then reinstated them with no overpayment required once they applied the BBCE rules properly. The waiting was nerve-wracking, but having that temporary suspension was much better than facing potential fraud charges or large overpayments later. You're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive about this!

I've been following this entire thread and I'm honestly amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is! As someone who's new to CalFresh and still learning all the rules, reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been incredibly educational. @Morita Montoya - I just want to say that your willingness to be transparent about your mistake and ask for help is really admirable. It's clear from all the responses that you're handling this situation exactly the right way. The fact that so many experienced community members have taken the time to share detailed advice shows what a great resource this forum is. From everything I've read here, it sounds like you have a really solid plan for your call tomorrow. The combination of self-reporting, understanding BBCE rules, having your documentation ready, and knowing what questions to ask puts you in the best possible position. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - the information about asset limits, BBCE exemptions, and proper reporting procedures is going to be valuable for so many people. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise! Best of luck with your call tomorrow - please update us on how it goes. I have a feeling it's going to work out much better than you initially feared!

I've been reading through this entire thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who recently went through CalFresh eligibility determination with assets involved. First off, you're absolutely doing the right thing by self-reporting - I can't stress this enough. When I had my eligibility interview, my caseworker specifically mentioned how much they appreciate when people are upfront about their financial situation rather than trying to hide things. Regarding the BBCE rules everyone's discussing, they're absolutely real and can be a lifesaver. In my county (Sacramento), they explained it like this: if your gross monthly income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $2,430 for a single person), then most asset limits are waived. The key word is "most" - there are still some assets that count, but regular investment accounts like stocks often fall under the exemption. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you call, ask specifically about the "gross income test" versus the "net income test" for BBCE eligibility. Sometimes people qualify under BBCE even if they're slightly over other income limits because of how they calculate it. Also, definitely ask about whether your inherited stocks might qualify as "inaccessible resources" since you mentioned you don't actively manage them. Sometimes assets that you can't easily convert to cash within a certain timeframe are treated differently. You've got such a good plan based on all the advice here. The preparation you're doing is going to make a huge difference in how smoothly this goes. Good luck tomorrow!