Does using credit cards for bills or getting cash advances count as income for CalFresh reporting?

Credit card charges and cash advances are NOT considered income for CalFresh. You're right that it's not income - it's debt that you have to pay back. You only need to report actual income sources like wages, unemployment, disability, child support, etc. The money you spend using credit cards doesn't need to be reported because you're not gaining any income - you're actually creating debt. What you DO need to report is your reduced work hours since that affects your actual income. Make sure you provide documentation of your current hours/pay so your benefits can be adjusted accordingly. You might actually qualify for more CalFresh benefits with your reduced income.

credt cards arent income its just a loan u have 2 pay back eventually. they only care about REAL income like paychecks or when someone gives u $ u dont have to repay

I had this same worry last year when I was using my credit card for everything after losing my job. My worker specifically told me that only actual income needs to be reported. Credit cards, loans, advances, etc. are all DEBT, not income. But be careful about the cash advances! Those usually have very high interest rates and fees. Have you checked if you qualify for CalWORKs (Cash Aid) since your hours were reduced? That might help you avoid taking on more credit card debt.

Others have already correctly answered your main question (credit card charges and cash advances are NOT income for CalFresh purposes), but I wanted to add that if you're struggling this much, you should definitely apply for CalWORKs as well. With your reduced hours, you might qualify for cash assistance. Also, if you're having trouble connecting with your CalFresh eligibility worker to discuss your situation, I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to a live person at social services without waiting on hold for hours. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE that shows how it works. It helped me reach my worker when I needed to report my job loss.

BE CAREFUL THOUGH!!! If you deposit that cash advance money into your bank account and then your worker sees a $200 deposit, they might think it's unreported income! This happened to my sister and she had to provide statements showing it was just a cash advance. So keep your bank statements that show where the money came from just in case they ask!!!

Everyone saying credit cards aren't income is right, but I wanted to check - are you putting SNAP benefits on your credit card somehow? Because that could potentially be an issue. You should only be using your EBT card to purchase eligible food items directly. Just making sure I understand what you're asking correctly.

Hey, a bit off topic but since you mentioned hours being cut - make sure you also check if you qualify for partial unemployment! Many people don't realize you can get some unemployment benefits when your hours are reduced, not just when you lose your job completely. This could help you avoid using credit cards altogether.

i kno evry1 says credit cards arent income but my cousin got in trouble for not reporting a cash advance but that was for caLworks not calfresh so maybe its diffrent?? the rules r so confusing sometimes

Just wanted to add some reassurance here - I've been through several CalFresh renewals and recertifications, and credit card usage has never been an issue. The key thing to remember is that CalFresh looks at your INCOME, not your spending or debt. Using credit cards is just shifting when you pay for things, not creating new income. Since your hours were reduced, focus on documenting that income change with recent pay stubs. That's what will actually affect your benefits. You might even qualify for higher CalFresh benefits now! And definitely look into the CalWORKs suggestion others mentioned - with 22 hours per week, you very well might qualify for cash assistance to help avoid taking on more debt. Don't stress about the credit card stuff during your renewal appointment. Just be honest about your current work situation and income. You're doing nothing wrong by using credit to get by during a tough time.

I'm new to CalFresh and this thread is so helpful! I was actually wondering about this same thing because I've been using my credit card more lately due to some unexpected medical bills. It's really reassuring to hear from everyone that credit card purchases and cash advances aren't considered income for CalFresh purposes. @Madeline Blaze - I hope your renewal goes smoothly! It sounds like you have a good plan now with documenting your reduced hours and looking into CalWORKs. I'm in a similar situation with reduced hours and didn't know about partial unemployment either, so thanks to everyone who mentioned that option. This community is such a great resource for navigating all these programs!

I just wanted to jump in as someone who works in benefits advocacy to confirm what everyone has said - credit card purchases and cash advances are absolutely NOT considered income for CalFresh. You're borrowing money that you'll have to pay back, which makes it debt, not income. What I'd suggest for your renewal is to bring documentation of your reduced hours (recent pay stubs are perfect) and don't even mention the credit card usage unless specifically asked. Focus on your actual income change, which is what matters for your benefits calculation. Also, since multiple people mentioned CalWORKs - definitely apply! With only 22 hours per week, you may very well qualify for cash assistance. The income limits for CalWORKs are higher when you're working because they want to support people who are trying to work their way up. Having some cash assistance could help you avoid those expensive cash advances in the future. You're doing nothing wrong by using credit to survive a tough period. Many people have to do this, and it won't affect your CalFresh eligibility at all.

I'm really glad to see this question being asked because it's something that causes a lot of anxiety for people in tough financial situations! As everyone has correctly said, credit card purchases and cash advances are NOT income for CalFresh purposes - they're debt that you have to repay. What I'd add is that when you're struggling financially like this, it's worth reaching out to local food banks and community resources too. Many food banks don't have income requirements and can help stretch your CalFresh benefits further, which might reduce how much you need to put on credit cards for groceries. Also, since you mentioned being worried about talking to your worker - don't be! They've seen every situation imaginable and they're there to help you access the benefits you're entitled to. Being honest about your reduced hours will likely result in higher CalFresh benefits, which could really help your situation. You're being smart by asking these questions and making sure you understand the rules. That shows you care about doing things right, not that you're trying to hide anything!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my experience since I went through something very similar last year. I was also worried about credit card usage affecting my CalFresh benefits when I had to start using my card for groceries and bills after my hours were cut. Just like everyone has said, credit cards and cash advances are definitely NOT income for CalFresh - they're debt that you'll have to pay back with interest. I learned this the hard way by stressing about it for weeks before my recertification! What really helped me was keeping simple documentation. I brought my recent pay stubs showing the reduced hours, and that was all my worker needed. They actually increased my CalFresh benefits because of the income drop, which was a huge relief. One thing I'd definitely recommend is calling 211 (just dial 2-1-1) to find local resources in your area. They connected me with a food pantry that helped a lot, and some utility assistance programs I didn't know existed. It really helped reduce how much I had to put on credit cards each month. You're going to be fine at your renewal - focus on the positive, which is that your reduced income likely qualifies you for more help, not less!

I'm new here and this thread has been incredibly informative! I've been dealing with a similar situation where I had to start using my credit card more after my work hours were reduced. Reading through everyone's responses has been such a relief - I was also worried that credit card usage might somehow count as income for CalFresh. It's really helpful to see so many people confirm that credit cards and cash advances are debt, not income, and that the focus should be on documenting the actual income change from reduced hours. I had no idea about resources like 211, partial unemployment benefits, or that CalWORKs might be an option for people who are still working part-time. @Madeline Blaze - I hope your renewal goes smoothly! It sounds like you have a solid plan now. This community really is amazing for getting practical advice and support from people who've been through similar experiences. Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences - it's making a real difference for those of us navigating these programs!

This entire discussion has been so valuable to read through! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 2 years, I can confirm what everyone is saying - credit card purchases and cash advances are absolutely NOT considered income. I went through a period where I was using my credit card for almost everything due to irregular work schedule, and it never came up as an issue during my recertifications. The key thing to remember is that CalFresh cares about money coming IN to you that you don't have to pay back - wages, unemployment, disability, gifts of cash, etc. Credit cards are the opposite - you're borrowing money that creates debt and interest charges. What I love about this thread is seeing how many helpful resources people have shared beyond just answering the main question. The 211 service, partial unemployment, CalWORKs applications, food banks - these are all things that can help reduce the financial stress that leads to credit card dependency in the first place. @Madeline Blaze, you should feel proud for asking this question because clearly a lot of people needed this information! Your renewal is going to go fine - just focus on documenting your reduced income and you'll likely qualify for increased benefits.

I just wanted to add my voice to everyone who's already provided such helpful answers! As someone who's worked with CalFresh recipients for several years, I can absolutely confirm that credit card purchases and cash advances are NOT income for CalFresh purposes. You're borrowing money that has to be repaid with interest - that's debt, not income. What I always tell people in your situation is to focus on what actually matters for your renewal: documenting your current income from work. With your hours reduced to 22 per week, you'll likely qualify for higher CalFresh benefits, which should help reduce your reliance on credit cards for food purchases. I also wanted to emphasize what others have mentioned about CalWORKs - definitely apply! Many people don't realize that CalWORKs income limits are actually more generous when you're working because the program is designed to supplement employment, not replace it. With part-time hours, you very well may qualify for cash assistance that could help you avoid those expensive cash advances. Don't be afraid to have an honest conversation with your worker about your situation. They've seen it all, and reduced work hours due to economic conditions is extremely common right now. You're doing everything right by asking questions and making sure you understand the rules. Your renewal should go smoothly!