Will CalFresh benefits stop immediately when I go over IRT income limit?

Don't panic! CalFresh doesn't stop immediately when you go over IRT - that's a common misconception. When you report going over your IRT, your county worker will recalculate your benefits based on your new income. You'll get a Notice of Action telling you if your benefits will decrease or stop, but this change doesn't happen immediately. You'll continue receiving your current benefit amount until the end of the following month after you report. So if you report in May that you went over IRT, any changes wouldn't take effect until the end of June. Also, one paycheck over IRT doesn't automatically disqualify you. They look at your monthly income, so if your average for the month is still within limits, you might still qualify for some benefits.

No they dont cut you off immediately!! The IRT is just the reporting threshold - it means you have to TELL them about the income, not that you're automatically ineligible. After you report, they'll send you paperwork asking for pay stubs and then recalculate. Your benefits continue until they process the change, which is typically end of the next month after you report. So you have some time. Also important: sometimes going over IRT doesn't mean you lose ALL benefits, you might just get a reduced amount depending on exactly how much your income increased. Don't assume you'll lose everything!

When I went over my IRT last year they gave me like 10 days notice before reducing my benefits. Make sure you report it within the 10 day requirement or they might hit you with an overpayment. The most important thing is to report it on time. They'll send you a Notice of Action with the date your benefits will change.

The person saying you immediately lose benefits is confusing CalWORKs (cash aid) with CalFresh. They have different rules! For CalFresh, when you report going over IRT: 1. County has to give you at least 10 days notice before reducing/stopping benefits 2. Changes typically take effect the following month 3. You continue getting your current benefit amount until the change date on your Notice of Action Also, the IRT is significantly higher than the actual income limit, so going over IRT doesn't automatically mean you're ineligible. They recalculate based on the new income. Make sure you're reporting on time though - if you don't report within 10 days of getting the paycheck that puts you over IRT, you could get an overpayment claim later.

Yes, you might still qualify even if you go over your IRT! The IRT is just the reporting threshold - the point at which you must report the change. The actual CalFresh income limits are based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for gross income and 100% FPL for net income (after deductions). Here's where it gets helpful: CalFresh allows deductions for housing costs, childcare, and other expenses. So your gross income might be over the IRT, but after they apply the deductions, your net income could still qualify you for some benefits. Also, one paycheck being higher doesn't necessarily mean your monthly income average is over the limit. They'll look at your anticipated monthly income going forward.

I had SO MUCH TROUBLE trying to report my income change last month because I could never get through to my worker. After trying for days and getting disconnected repeatedly, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at CalFresh in under 25 minutes instead of waiting on hold all day. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Worth checking out if you need to report your income change and can't get through. Made the whole process so much less stressful since I was worried about being late with my reporting.

Ok but what about the SAR7? If ur supposed to be filing that form every 6 months with ur income anyways why do we even have to report income changes separately when we go over IRT? the whole system is so confusing

Did anyone else notice that the OP mentioned CalFresh but posted in the CalWORKs forum? These are two different programs with different rules. CalFresh is food assistance, CalWORKs is cash aid. Income reporting requirements are similar but the benefit calculation and eligibility differs! Just checking if you're asking about CalFresh or CalWORKs?

Just to clear up some confusion in this thread: 1. When you go over IRT, you must report within 10 days 2. The county must give you at least 10 days notice before reducing/stopping benefits 3. Changes usually take effect the following month after you report 4. You'll get a Notice of Action with the exact date of any benefit changes 5. One paycheck over IRT doesn't automatically disqualify you - they recalculate based on your ongoing monthly income 6. Various deductions (rent, utilities, childcare) can help you still qualify even with higher income The most important thing is to report on time to avoid potential overpayments. Your EBT card will continue to work until any change date listed on your Notice of Action.

I went through this exact situation last year when I got a temp job that pushed me over my IRT. The key thing that helped me was understanding that the IRT is NOT the same as the income eligibility limit - it's just the threshold where you have to report changes. When I reported going over my IRT, my worker explained that they look at your projected monthly income, not just one paycheck. Since your job is new, they'll want to know if this higher income will continue or if it was just a one-time thing. Also, don't forget about deductions! When they recalculate, they'll factor in your rent, utilities, and other allowable expenses. I was surprised that even though my gross income went up, my net income after deductions still kept me eligible for reduced benefits. The timeline others mentioned is correct - you'll keep getting your current benefits until they process the change, which usually takes at least a month. Just make sure you report within those 10 days to stay in compliance.

I've been through this exact situation and wanted to share some reassurance! When I went over my IRT by about $180 last fall, I was terrified my benefits would stop immediately. But here's what actually happened: 1. I reported within the 10-day window (super important!) 2. My county worker sent me a packet asking for pay stubs and info about whether this income would continue 3. I kept receiving my full CalFresh benefits for about 6 weeks while they processed everything 4. They eventually reduced my benefits rather than cutting them off completely because of my rent and utility deductions The key thing to remember is that going over IRT doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible - it just triggers a review. Since you mentioned this is a new job, they'll want to know if this income level will continue. If it's just temporary or if you have high housing costs, you might still qualify for some benefits. Don't stress too much about reporting it right away either. You have 10 days from when you received that paycheck, and your benefits won't stop immediately when you report. Just make sure to gather your pay stubs and any documentation about your ongoing income when you contact them.

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add that when I called to report my income change last week, the worker emphasized that they actually prefer when people report changes promptly because it helps avoid overpayment issues later. She also mentioned that if your new income is close to the IRT threshold, it's worth asking about the "prospective budgeting" - basically they look at what your income will be going forward, not just that one high paycheck. Since you mentioned this is a new job, they might average your expected monthly income rather than just looking at that first paycheck. One thing that surprised me was that they also consider whether the income increase is likely to continue. If it's seasonal work or a temporary position, that can affect how they calculate your ongoing eligibility. Definitely don't wait until the last minute to report though - I've heard horror stories of people getting hit with overpayment claims because they were late with their reporting. But based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you'll have time to adjust even after you report the change.

I went through this same panic when I started a new job last year! Just wanted to add a few practical tips that helped me: 1. When you call to report, ask them to walk you through exactly what happens next and when any changes would take effect. My worker was really helpful in explaining the timeline. 2. Keep records of when you reported - write down the date, who you spoke with, and any reference numbers they give you. This protects you if there are any issues later. 3. If you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right when they open or during lunch hours - I had better luck then. 4. Don't forget that even if your benefits do get reduced or stopped eventually, you can always reapply if your income drops again in the future. The most important thing is that you're being proactive about reporting it. That shows good faith compliance, and it sounds like you'll have plenty of time to plan for any changes. Your benefits definitely won't just disappear overnight!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in the exact same boat a few months ago! The fear of benefits stopping immediately is so real, but everyone here is right - it doesn't happen that fast. When I went over my IRT, I was terrified to even report it because I thought my EBT would get deactivated instantly. But what actually happened was: 1. I reported within the 10-day window (barely - I was procrastinating out of fear!) 2. They sent me a form asking for more details about my new income 3. I continued getting my full benefits for about 5-6 weeks while they reviewed everything 4. Eventually they reduced my benefits by about $80/month instead of cutting me off completely The worker explained that going over IRT just means "hey, we need to take another look at your situation" - not "you're immediately disqualified." They really do factor in all your expenses and look at your overall financial picture. One thing that helped me was realizing that the system is actually designed to help people transition gradually rather than create cliff effects where you lose everything at once. You've got this - just report it and breathe easier knowing your card will keep working while they sort everything out!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds so similar to yours! I just went through this exact situation about a month ago when I got a promotion that put me over my IRT. Like you, I was absolutely terrified that my benefits would stop immediately. I kept putting off reporting it because I was scared, but finally called on day 8 of my 10-day window. The worker was actually really understanding and explained that the IRT reporting requirement exists to keep people in compliance, not to punish them. Here's what happened in my case: - Reported the income change on day 8 - Continued receiving full benefits for about 6 weeks - Got a Notice of Action reducing (not eliminating) my benefits - The reduction was way less than I expected because they factored in my rent and utility costs The worker also told me something that really helped ease my anxiety - she said they see people go over IRT all the time, especially when starting new jobs, and the system is designed to help people transition gradually rather than create sudden hardships. Don't let fear keep you from reporting on time like I almost did. Your EBT card will keep working normally while they process everything, and you might be surprised at how reasonable the outcome is once they factor in all your expenses. You've got this!

I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in a very similar situation - just started a new job and my income went over my IRT by about $150. I was having the exact same panic that Emma described, thinking my EBT would just stop working the moment I reported. Reading everyone's actual experiences has been so reassuring. It sounds like the key points are: - Report within 10 days (which I still have time for) - Benefits continue while they process the change (usually 4-6 weeks based on what people shared) - Going over IRT doesn't automatically mean you lose everything - they recalculate based on your full financial picture including deductions - The system is designed to help people transition gradually, not create sudden hardships I was literally losing sleep over this, but now I feel confident enough to call tomorrow and report. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it really makes a difference to hear from real people who actually went through this process rather than just trying to interpret the official rules online. This community is amazing!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago! I got a new job and my first paycheck put me over my IRT by about $200, and I was absolutely terrified that my CalFresh would get cut off immediately. Here's what actually happened when I reported: - Called within my 10-day window (day 9 - I was procrastinating out of fear!) - The worker was really patient and explained that going over IRT just triggers a review, not an automatic cutoff - I kept getting my full benefits for about 7 weeks while they processed everything - They eventually reduced my benefits by $45/month instead of eliminating them completely because my rent and utility deductions were factored in The most important thing the worker told me was that one paycheck doesn't determine your ongoing eligibility - they look at your projected monthly income going forward. Since you mentioned this is a new job, they'll want to know if this income level will continue consistently. Don't let fear delay your reporting like I almost did! Your EBT card will keep working normally while they review your case. The system really is designed to help people transition gradually rather than create sudden hardships. You've got this - just call and get it reported within your 10-day window!

I just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I went through this exact same situation last year when I started a new job that put me over my IRT by about $180. Like so many others here, I was absolutely panicked thinking my CalFresh would stop immediately when I reported. But here's what actually happened: 1. I reported on day 9 (also procrastinated out of fear!) 2. The worker explained that IRT is just a reporting threshold, not an automatic disqualification point 3. I continued receiving my full benefits for about 5 weeks while they reviewed my case 4. They sent me paperwork asking for pay stubs and details about whether this income would continue 5. My benefits were reduced by about $60/month instead of being eliminated completely What really helped me was when the worker explained that they look at your total financial picture - not just that one paycheck. They factored in my rent, utilities, and the fact that this was a new job where income might fluctuate. The key things I learned: report within 10 days, keep documentation of when you reported, and don't panic! Your EBT will keep working while they process everything. The system really is designed to help people transition gradually, not create sudden crises. To everyone sharing their experiences here - you're literally saving people from unnecessary panic and helping them understand how this really works. This community is amazing!

I'm so glad you asked this question! I was in a very similar situation about 8 months ago when I started a new part-time job that pushed me over my IRT by around $175. I was absolutely terrified that my CalFresh would get cut off immediately. Here's what actually happened in my case: - I reported within the 10-day window (day 7 - I was also really anxious about it!) - My county worker explained that going over IRT just means they need to review my case, not that I'm automatically disqualified - I continued receiving my full CalFresh benefits for about 6 weeks while they processed the change - They eventually sent me a Notice of Action reducing my benefits by $38/month instead of cutting them off completely - The reduction was much less than I expected because they factored in my housing costs and the fact that my income varies slightly from month to month What really helped ease my mind was when the worker explained that the IRT is set lower than the actual income limits specifically so they can catch changes early and avoid overpayments, but it doesn't mean you're over the eligibility threshold yet. Since you mentioned this is a new job, they'll want to know if this higher income will be consistent going forward. Sometimes new jobs have training pay that's different from regular pay, or hours that vary while you're getting established. Don't stress too much about reporting it - your EBT card will continue working normally while they review everything. Just make sure you report within those 10 days and have your pay stubs ready when they ask for them. You're doing exactly what you're supposed to do by being proactive about this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through this exact same situation last month! I got a new job that put me over my IRT by about $215, and like you, I was absolutely terrified that my CalFresh would get cut off the moment I reported it. Here's what actually happened: - I reported on day 6 of my 10-day window - The worker was really patient and explained that the IRT is just a "red flag" that triggers a review - not an automatic cutoff - I kept receiving my full benefits for about 6 weeks while they processed everything - They eventually reduced my benefits by $52/month instead of eliminating them completely because my rent and childcare costs were factored in The most reassuring thing the worker told me was that they're required by law to give you at least 10 days advance notice before making any changes to your benefits. So even after you report, you have time to plan and adjust. One tip that really helped me: when you call to report, ask them to explain exactly what happens next and when any changes would take effect. Having a clear timeline really reduced my anxiety about the whole process. You're doing the right thing by being proactive about reporting within the 10-day window. Your EBT card will keep working normally while they review your case, and the outcome might be much better than you're expecting once they factor in all your expenses!

I just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly supportive thread! I went through this exact same panic about 4 months ago when I started a new job that put me over my IRT by around $190. Like so many others here, I was absolutely convinced my CalFresh would get cut off immediately when I reported. But here's what actually happened: - Reported on day 9 (I was also procrastinating out of fear!) - The worker explained that IRT just means "time to review your case," not "you're automatically disqualified" - I continued getting my full benefits for about 5 weeks while they processed everything - My benefits were reduced by only $43/month instead of being eliminated completely because they factored in my rent and utility allowances What really helped me was understanding that they're looking at your ongoing financial picture, not just punishing you for one higher paycheck. Since you mentioned this is a new job, they'll consider whether this income level will continue consistently. The timeline everyone has shared here is so consistent - you'll keep your benefits while they review (usually 4-6 weeks), and any changes come with proper notice. Don't let fear delay your reporting like I almost did! Your EBT will keep working normally throughout the review process. This community has been such a lifesaver for understanding how these processes really work versus the scary assumptions we make. You've got this!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm actually going through the exact same situation right now - just started a new job and my first paycheck put me over my IRT by about $200. I was having a complete meltdown thinking my CalFresh would get cut off immediately when I reported it. Reading everyone's real experiences has been such a relief! The consistent message seems to be: - Report within 10 days (I'm on day 6 now) - Benefits continue for 4-6 weeks while they review - Going over IRT triggers a review, not automatic disqualification - They look at your total financial picture including rent/utilities - Many people end up with reduced benefits rather than losing everything What really helped me understand this was how several people explained that IRT is just a "reporting threshold" - not the actual eligibility limit. I had no idea there was a difference! I was literally losing sleep over this, but now I feel confident enough to call tomorrow and report. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you're helping so many people understand that this is a normal process, not a crisis. This community is amazing for providing real-world guidance that you just can't get from official websites!