Will my $2400 income exceed CalFresh gross limit for 2 people in Kern County?

For 2025, the gross monthly income limit for a household of 2 people is $3,052 for CalFresh in California. Your income of $2,400 is definitely under that threshold, so you should be eligible to apply! The exact benefit amount will depend on your expenses like rent, utilities, and any medical costs if you have elderly or disabled household members. Make sure to apply through BenefitsCal.com or at your local Kern County office and list all your expenses - especially housing costs as those create bigger deductions.

i got denied last year cuz my income was like $50 over the limit lol but the limits went up in october so ur probably good now!! defintely mention all ur bills n stuff when u apply cuz that helps a lot

BE CAREFUL about reporting your EXACT income. They want to see PROOF of everything. Make sure you have your last 4 paystubs ready or they will DENY you immediately! If you just started this job you might have trouble because they want to see STABLE income. The Kern County office is THE WORST about processing applications quickly. I waited 45 days and had to call EVERY DAY to get mine approved!!!

You're definitely under the income limit! For 2025, a household of 2 can have gross monthly income up to $3,052. The benefit amount is calculated using your net income after deductions, so your high rent of $1850 will help significantly. With your income and that rent, you'd likely qualify for around $200-300 monthly in CalFresh benefits. For verification, since your job is new, provide whatever paystubs you have now and an employer letter stating your expected hours and rate. You'll need to report any income changes if your actual earnings differ significantly from what you estimate. I recommend applying right away rather than waiting - you can always submit additional paystubs as you get them.

Kern County workers never pick up their phones! I had to call 37 times just to talk to someone about my case last month. Total nightmare.

my aunt makes like 2600 and gets food stamps for her and her daughter so youll definitely qualify

To answer your question about your son's financial aid - most educational financial aid is NOT counted as income for CalFresh! This includes Pell Grants, student loans, work-study, and scholarships. The only exception would be if some portion is specifically earmarked for living expenses, but even then there are many exclusions. Make sure to tell the eligibility worker these are educational funds when you apply. And regarding the rent receipts question you asked earlier - yes, bringing proof of your expenses is very helpful. Having documents ready speeds up the verification process. Bring copies of your lease, utility bills, and any medical expenses if applicable.

Just to give you a better idea of what to expect with your benefit calculation: 1. They'll take your gross income ($2400) 2. Subtract the standard deduction (about $197 for household of 2) 3. Subtract a portion of your housing costs (your rent minus 50% of your adjusted income) 4. The result is your net income for CalFresh 5. Your benefit is calculated as roughly 30% of what your net income falls short of the maximum allotment With your rent being so high compared to your income, you'll likely qualify for a decent benefit amount. The current maximum for a household of 2 is around $518, but you'd get a portion of that based on your income and deductions.

just make sure u actually VERIFY ur rent with a lease or something cuz they didn't count mine at first and i got way less benefits until i showed them proof!!

I just went through the CalFresh application process in Kern County last month and wanted to share some tips! Since you're under the income limit, definitely apply ASAP. A few things that helped me: 1) Apply online at BenefitsCal.com first - it's faster than going in person, 2) Take photos of all your documents with your phone before uploading so you have backups, 3) Your high rent will actually work in your favor for the benefit calculation. With your income and that $1850 rent, you should qualify for a good amount. Don't let the horror stories about Kern County discourage you - my application was processed in about 3 weeks. Good luck!

Your $2400 income is well within the CalFresh limits for a 2-person household! I'm a case worker in a neighboring county and can confirm that with your high rent costs, you'll likely receive substantial benefits. One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned - when you apply, make sure to include any utilities you pay separately from rent (electric, gas, phone, internet) as these count toward your shelter deduction too. Also, since your son is in college, ask about the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements - students are usually exempt from the 3-month time limit. The online application really is your best bet - I've seen it cut processing time in half compared to paper applications.

I'm in a similar situation in Kern County and just wanted to add that you should also ask about expedited processing when you apply! If your household has less than $150 in cash/checking and your monthly rent/utilities are more than your income, you might qualify for emergency CalFresh within 3 days. With your $1850 rent versus $2400 income, you're pretty close to that threshold. Even if you don't qualify for expedited service, mentioning that you're struggling with food costs can sometimes help prioritize your case. Also, don't forget to ask about other programs like WIC if anyone in your household qualifies - sometimes the offices can help you apply for multiple benefits at once.