Will dropping to part-time work affect my CalFresh eligibility? Need to keep benefits while in school

You definitely need to report this income change since it's more than 10% of your total income (that's the threshold for mid-period reporting in California). You can do this by submitting a SAR 3 form or calling your county office. The good news is that LOWER income generally means MORE benefits, not less. Also, being a student won't hurt your eligibility since you're already working and have dependents. In fact, with your children and reduced income, you might qualify for more benefits once this change is reported. Just make sure to document everything - get a letter from your employer about the reduced hours if possible.

Thank you so much!! I was thinking lower income might mean I don't qualify at all anymore. That's a huge relief. I'll call my county worker tomorrow to report it. Do you know if I need to bring any verification documents when I report the change?

had similar situation last yr. my hours got cut and i got MORE calfresh. its based on income so less money = more benefits usually. just dont forget to tell them or theyll say u committed fraud lol

That's good to hear! I was so worried they'd cut me off completely. Did you have to wait for them to process the change or did your benefits adjust right away?

Actually, you need to be careful about the student eligibility rules for CalFresh. If you're enrolled more than half-time, you need to meet one of the student exemptions to qualify. Having children under 12 is one exemption, so you're probably covered there, but make sure to tell your worker you're a student when you report the income change. They need to code your case correctly. Also, check if your community college has a CalFresh outreach program - many do special assistance for student applications and might help with your mid-period reporting too.

I had no idea about student exemptions! Thank you for mentioning that. My kids are 4 and 7, so I guess that covers me. I'll definitely mention I'm becoming a student when I call about the income change.

I spent 3 DAYS trying to reach someone at the county office to report an income change last semester. Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. I finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person in like 20 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to make changes to my case.

omg thx for sharing this!! i hate calling the county office. always on hold 4ever

Thank you for this! I tried calling the county office this morning and got disconnected twice after waiting 40+ minutes. I'll definitely check this out because I need to get this income change reported ASAP.

Just to clarify some information here: The income reporting threshold (IRT) for a household of 3 in 2025 is approximately $3,450/month gross. Since your income is dropping BELOW your IRT, you're not technically required to report it until your next SAR7. HOWEVER, as others mentioned, reporting it now will likely increase your benefits sooner, so it's in your advantage to report it early. Just make sure when you report the change that you specify both the reduction in hours AND your student status. The county will need to verify both.

Is that IRT amount for real? I thought it was way lower like $2000 something for 3 people? They never explain this stuff clearly on the paperwork.

Yes, the IRT is adjusted annually for inflation. You can find your specific household's IRT on your most recent approval notice or SAR7 form - it's listed as 'Income Reporting Threshold.' Each household has their own specific amount based on size and circumstances.

make sure u tell them ur a student!!! i forgot to do that and they cut me off completely and i had to appeal and it was a WHOLE mess. but once i proved i was exempt cuz im a work study student they fixed it. but took like 2 months to get everything back to normal ugh

That sounds awful! I definitely will mention the student status. Did you have to provide any documentation to prove you were a student?

When you report the change, make sure you're also reporting any new expenses related to school that might be deductible - like childcare costs if you need more childcare while attending classes. Many people don't realize that certain expenses can be deducted which can increase your benefit amount. Also, check with your school's financial aid office about the CalFresh Student Success program - many community colleges have special resources to help students maintain their benefits while studying.

That's a great point about childcare! I will be paying about $250 more per month for after-school care while I'm in class. I'll definitely include that when I report the changes.

I just wanted to follow up - how did it go with reporting your changes? Were you able to reach someone at the county office?

I'm in a similar situation - just started community college this semester while working reduced hours. One thing I learned is that you should also ask about the Student Success Grant when you report your changes. Some counties have additional food assistance specifically for students that can supplement your CalFresh benefits. Also, if your school has a food pantry, that can help bridge any gaps while your case is being processed. The combination of reporting the income decrease AND the additional childcare expenses you mentioned should actually put you in a better position benefit-wise. Good luck with school and don't stress too much - it sounds like you're doing everything right!