Will selling personal items affect my CalFresh eligibility? Worried about bank deposits showing up

You're smart to ask this question. According to CalFresh rules, selling personal possessions is considered converting an asset to cash, NOT income. So technically, these sales shouldn't affect your CalFresh eligibility if you're selling your own stuff. However, if the money sits in your account and pushes you over the resource limit ($4,250 for most households in 2025), that could potentially cause issues. My advice: keep records of what you sold and for how much. If the county ever questions deposits, you can explain they were one-time sales of personal items, not ongoing income. And try to use the money quickly for necessities so it doesn't accumulate in your account.

i had similar situation last yr. sold my old laptop and guitar. got like $700 total. didnt report it cuz its not income. no problems for me so far. They dont check every transaction in ur account, they got too many ppl to deal with lol

I work as a benefits advocate and want to clarify something important: selling personal possessions is NOT countable income for CalFresh purposes. However, the county workers examining your case might not immediately recognize these deposits as asset liquidation rather than unreported income. Best practices: 1. Keep detailed records of what you sold, when, and for how much 2. If possible, use a separate account for these transactions 3. On your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7), include a note explaining any large deposits 4. At recertification, be prepared to explain these transactions if asked The real concern isn't eligibility but rather avoiding the hassle of having to prove your case later if questions arise. Most workers are reasonable if you provide clear explanations.

omg I went thru this exact same thing!! My family gave me $300 for my birthday and the county worker saw it on my bank statement and tried to count it as income!! took me FOREVER to get someone on the phone to explain it was a gift not income. i kept calling that stupid automated line for DAYS and it would just disconnect me after 2 hours on hold 😡

My cousin works for the county and she says they dont have time to look at every transaction in your bank account, they just look at the total balance on the statement date and big deposits. But better safe than sorry, keep receipts for whatever you sell just in case

One thing to keep in mind: even though selling personal items isn't considered income for CalFresh, if your bank balance on the last day of the month exceeds the resource limit ($4,250 for most households, $5,500 for households with elderly or disabled members in 2025), that could affect your eligibility. So time your sales and bill payments strategically if possible. For example, if you sell something at the end of the month, try to use those funds for necessities before the month ends so they don't push your balance over the limit on the statement date. And don't worry about small sales here and there - it's really the larger deposits that might trigger questions.

When I was on CalFresh they wanted 3 months of bank statements during recertification and questioned EVERY SINGLE DEPOSIT!! They even wanted explanations for my $50 birthday money from my mom! The workers are TRAINED to be suspicious of everything. Don't believe anyone who says they don't check - THEY DO!!! And if you can't prove where money came from, they'll count it as income and possibly terminate your benefits or hit you with an overpayment notice. The system is DESIGNED to trip people up!!

Wait i thought calfresh doesnt even look at resources anymore?? I thought they got rid of the asset test for most people? Im so confused about the rules now

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm feeling much better about selling some stuff to cover my rent gap. I'll definitely keep all the receipts and transaction records just in case, and I'll write a note explaining these sales on my next SAR7 form. Really appreciate all the different perspectives - this community is amazing!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been through this recently. I sold my old gaming console and some textbooks last year when I was between jobs and on CalFresh. Made about $400 total through Facebook Marketplace and Venmo. What I did was take screenshots of all the marketplace listings and kept the messages where people asked about buying my stuff. When my recertification came up, I brought a folder with printouts showing what I sold and when. The worker appreciated that I was so organized and it made the whole process smooth. One tip: if you're selling on apps like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace, the conversation history is great documentation that shows you were selling personal items, not running a business or getting regular income. Good luck with everything!

I'm in a similar situation right now - waiting to start a new job and needing to make ends meet! One thing I learned from my caseworker is that you can also proactively call the CalFresh office to report these sales if you're worried about them showing up unexpectedly during verification. When I sold my old laptop and some furniture last month, I called and explained what I was doing. They made a note in my case file, so when those deposits showed up on my bank statement, there was already documentation that they were from selling personal items, not income. It gave me peace of mind and prevented any confusion later. The wait times can be brutal though - I'd definitely recommend using that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you decide to call. Saved me from sitting on hold for hours! Hope your new job works out and you can get back on your feet soon.

I've been through this exact situation twice in the past year and wanted to share what worked for me. Both times I needed to sell personal items (first my mountain bike and some tools, then later my old iPhone and tablet) to cover unexpected expenses while on CalFresh. Here's what I learned: The key is documentation and transparency. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking what I sold, to whom, for how much, and the date. I also saved screenshots of the original listings and any messages from buyers. When my recertification came up, I brought copies of everything. The eligibility worker told me she sees this situation frequently and really appreciated that I came prepared with documentation. She said the problems usually happen when people can't explain large deposits, not when they can clearly show they were selling personal belongings. One unexpected tip: If you're selling multiple items, consider spacing out the sales over a few weeks rather than doing everything at once. Multiple large deposits on the same day might raise more questions than the same total amount spread out. You're being smart by asking about this beforehand. The fact that you're thinking about documentation now puts you way ahead of most people in this situation. Good luck with the new job - having that start date should also help show the temporary nature of your situation if anyone asks!

I went through something very similar when I was between jobs last year. Sold my gaming setup, some jewelry, and old textbooks to cover bills while waiting for my first paycheck. Made about $800 total over two weeks. What really helped me was being super organized from the start. I took photos of everything before listing it, saved all the marketplace conversations, and kept a running list of what sold for how much. When my recertification came up 3 months later, I had everything ready to show it was clearly personal items, not business income. The caseworker barely glanced at my documentation but seemed impressed that I had it all organized. She said most people come in with no explanation for deposits and that creates way more work for everyone. One thing I wish I'd known: if you're selling on multiple platforms (Facebook, OfferUp, Craigslist), keep track of which platform each sale came from. It helps paint a clear picture that you were just clearing out personal belongings rather than running any kind of ongoing business. You're doing the right thing by planning ahead and asking questions. That three-week gap until your first paycheck will fly by, and having that documentation ready will give you peace of mind. Hope the new job works out great!

I'm currently dealing with a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add that if you're selling items that have serial numbers (like electronics), it might be worth jotting those down too. I had to sell my old laptop last month and the caseworker asked if I had the serial number to verify it was actually mine and not something I was flipping for profit. Also, if you have any receipts from when you originally bought the items (even old ones), those can be great backup documentation to show these were legitimately your personal possessions. I found an old Best Buy receipt in my email for the laptop I sold and it really seemed to help establish the timeline. One more thing - if you're using apps like Venmo or Cash App for payments, you can usually add notes to the transactions. I started putting simple notes like "laptop sale" or "bike sale" on each payment I received. It's just one more small piece of documentation that might help if questions come up later. Really hoping your new job works out and you can get through these next three weeks without too much stress! The fact that you're being so thoughtful about documentation shows you're handling this the right way.

I've been in a very similar spot and wanted to share what worked for me. Last year I had to sell my old MacBook, some kitchen appliances, and my guitar to cover rent when my hours got cut. Made about $650 total through various apps. The most important thing I learned is to treat it like you're building a case file from day one. I took "before" photos of everything, saved every single message thread, and kept a detailed log. When questions came up during my recertification (and they did), I had everything organized in a folder. One specific tip that really helped: I wrote a brief cover letter explaining the situation and attached it to all my documentation. Something like "Due to temporary financial hardship between jobs, I sold personal belongings during [dates] to cover essential expenses. All sales documented below." The worker said it made her job much easier. Also, don't stress too much about the deposits showing up - they're looking for patterns that suggest unreported income, not one-time asset sales. Your three-week timeline until the new job actually works in your favor because it clearly shows this is temporary, not ongoing income. You've got this! The fact that you're asking these questions now means you're already handling it better than most people do.

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're being really smart to ask about this upfront! I went through something similar about 8 months ago when I was between jobs and had to sell some furniture and old electronics to make rent. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple email to myself with photos and descriptions of everything I was planning to sell, then forwarding it to myself on the day I actually sold each item. That created a timestamp showing I owned these things before selling them, which the caseworker really appreciated during my review. Also, if you're selling anything valuable (like electronics over $100), consider meeting buyers somewhere public like a coffee shop or grocery store parking lot. Some of these places have security cameras, and while you probably won't need it, having that extra layer of "proof" that legitimate sales took place can't hurt. The three-week gap until your new job actually makes your story really believable - it's clearly a temporary bridge situation, not ongoing unreported income. You're going to be fine! Just keep everything documented like everyone suggested and you'll sail through any questions they might have.

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in almost the exact same situation last year! I had to sell my gaming PC, some old textbooks, and a few pieces of furniture when my rent went up unexpectedly while I was on CalFresh. Here's what I learned: the key is being proactive with documentation. I kept screenshots of all my marketplace listings, saved text message conversations with buyers, and created a simple spreadsheet tracking everything (what I sold, when, for how much, and to whom). When my caseworker saw deposits during my recertification, I was able to immediately explain what they were with clear proof. The caseworker told me that selling personal belongings isn't considered income for CalFresh purposes - it's converting assets you already owned into cash. The only time it becomes a problem is if people can't explain where large deposits came from, which makes workers suspicious. Your three-week timeline until your new job actually works in your favor because it clearly shows this is a temporary bridge situation, not ongoing unreported income. Just make sure to keep detailed records of everything you sell, and consider adding brief notes to your payment app transactions like "sold old laptop" or "furniture sale." You're handling this exactly right by planning ahead! The documentation will give you peace of mind and make any future questions easy to answer. Good luck with the new job!

I work for a legal aid organization and help people with CalFresh issues regularly. You're absolutely right to be proactive about this! Selling personal possessions is NOT considered countable income for CalFresh - it's asset conversion, not income generation. Here's what I always tell clients in your situation: 1. Document EVERYTHING - take photos of items before listing, screenshot conversations with buyers, save all transaction records 2. Create a simple log: item sold, date, amount, buyer info, platform used 3. Keep any original purchase receipts if you have them (even old ones help establish ownership) 4. Consider writing a brief explanatory note for your case file if you're concerned The most important thing to remember: CalFresh workers see deposits and wonder if it's unreported income. If you can clearly explain and document that these were one-time sales of your own belongings, there shouldn't be any issues. The problems arise when people can't explain where money came from. Your situation is actually very common - temporary financial gaps between jobs where people need to liquidate some possessions. The fact that you have a specific job start date in 3 weeks actually supports your case that this is temporary, not ongoing income. One final tip: if you're really worried, you can proactively call your county office and make a note in your file explaining the situation before the deposits even show up. Some clients find this gives them extra peace of mind. You're handling this exactly right by planning ahead. Good luck with the new job!

I'm a newcomer here but I've been reading through this entire thread and wow, the level of detailed advice is incredible! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - not currently on CalFresh but considering applying while I'm between jobs, and I was worried about how selling some of my stuff might complicate the application process. Reading everyone's experiences has been so educational. The documentation strategies you all have shared (spreadsheets, screenshots, cover letters, even serial numbers!) are way more thorough than I would have thought to do on my own. It's clear that being proactive and organized is really the key to avoiding any confusion or problems. @Brandon Parker - your professional perspective was especially valuable! It's reassuring to know that this situation is common and that there are clear legal distinctions between asset conversion and income generation. That really helps me understand how to frame this properly if questions come up. For everyone who shared their success stories - thank you for taking the time to write out such detailed accounts. It's made this whole thread an amazing resource for anyone dealing with this situation. William, I hope your new job works out great and that these next three weeks go smoothly!

I just wanted to jump in as someone who's navigating a similar financial tight spot right now. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that with proper documentation, selling personal items while on CalFresh is totally manageable. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's advice has been about the importance of thorough record-keeping. The spreadsheet approach, saving marketplace conversations, taking photos before listing, and even noting serial numbers - these aren't just random suggestions, they're proven strategies from people who've successfully gone through this exact situation. @Brandon Parker's professional explanation about asset conversion vs. income generation was especially enlightening. It really helps to understand the legal framework behind why these sales shouldn't affect CalFresh eligibility when properly documented. For anyone else in this situation: this thread has basically created a complete playbook for handling asset sales while on benefits. The fact that so many people have navigated this successfully with the right preparation should give all of us confidence that we can do the same. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've turned what could be a stressful situation into something totally manageable with the right approach!