Checking Your Eligibility
Who is eligible for CalFresh
- San Francisco residents and households with low or no income, including those experiencing homelessness
- Students of higher education. Learn more and apply.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
- CalWORKS or CAAP applicants can include CalFresh in their application process.
- Immigrants who qualify and legal permanent residents, see details in English | Español | 中文 | русский | Filipino | Tiếng Việt.
- Recipients of Women, Infants, & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC)
Want to check your CalFresh eligibility in less than five minutes? Answer just 10 simple questions from our partner mRelief.com.
Who must be included in the application
- Anyone who purchases and prepares meals together
- Everyone living at the address, such as husbands, wives, parents, and children under age 22
How benefit amounts are determined
Your benefit amount is based on your gross monthly income (below) and household size minus monthly expenses such as:
- Child support payments
- Childcare expenses
- Medical expenses if your household has at least one member who is age 60 or older or has a disability
- Rent or mortgage
- Utility and phone expenses
Household resources exempt from your application requirements include investments, property ownership, and bank accounts. However, any income generated from resources will count as part of your household’s total gross income.
A household with an older adult or federally disabled persons can call us for more details, call (415) 558-4700.
CalFresh Gross Monthly Income Limit
To qualify for benefits, most households must be below the income limit for their household size (see table below). A household with an older adult or federally disabled person may have a higher gross monthly income limit.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting 10/01/2022 | $2,266 | $3,052 | $3,840 | $4,626 | $5,412 | $6,200 | $6,986 |
Maximum benefit allotments
Each year, the maximum allowable benefit is adjusted based on the cost of living (COLA) increase. The table below reflects the latest adjustments. NOTE: The benefit amount your household receives is dependent on your household’s income and expenses. This means that your benefit amount may be less than the amount indicated below. For details, see the CalFresh Maximum Allotment flyer.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/01/2022 to 09/30/2023 | $281 | $516 | $740 | $939 | $1116 | $1,339 | $1,480 |
Expedited Service
Some households may receive food assistance within three business days after submitting an application. To qualify, you must provide identification and meet all other CalFresh requirements plus one of the following:
- Your household makes less than $150 in monthly income and has less than $100 on hand right now.
- Your household's combined monthly income and money on hand are less than your household's combined monthly rent and utilities.
- You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker and have less than $100 on hand right now.
Call (415) 558-4700 to request Expedited Services.