Example 4 – household with both documented and undocumented immigrants

Answer to Example 4

The Parks are eligible for federal CalFresh benefits because they are U.S. citizens. The Lees are not eligible for federal or California-funded CalFresh benefits because they are undocumented. Their date of entrance to the U.S. has no bearing on their eligibility since they are undocumented. However, their daughter is eligible since she was born in the U.S. The Parks or either of the Lees may apply for CalFresh benefits on behalf of the household, but only three of the five family members qualify.

Even though the Lees are not eligible for assistance, a pro-rata share of their income is counted towards the eligible household members.

Income and allotment

Step by step, here is how the calculations would be made:

  1. Mr. Park’s gross monthly income from work is $688 ($160 x 4.3). Mrs. Park’s gross monthly income from work is $215 ($50 x 4.3). The total gross monthly earned income is $903.
  2. The income from the ineligible household members is added here: Mr. Lee’s gross monthly income from work is $430 ($100 x 4.3). But before pro-rating his income, apply the earned income deduction: $430 x 20% = $86. The amount to be pro-rated is therefore $344 ($430 – $86). Since there are five household members, the pro-rata share is $69 ($344 ÷ 5 = $68.80). The total pro-rata share of eligible members is $207 ($69 x 3).
  3. The gross monthly income is $1,110 ($903 + $207). This falls under the maximum of $2,177 for a household of 3.
  4. Gross monthly earned income for eligible members is $903.
  5. The earned income deduction against that amount is $180 ($903 x 20% = $180.60)
  6. Net earned income is $723 ($903 – $180)
  7. Adding the pro-rated income from the ineligible household members, the income is $930 ($723 + $207).
  8. Subtracting the standard deduction for a three-member eligible household yields a subtotal of $770 ($930 – $160).
  9. There are no dependent care costs
  10. There are no child support payments
  11. There are no elderly or disabled household members with medical costs.
  12. The adjusted income is $770.
  13. Determine the excess shelter costs: The total shelter costs are $400, including utilities. The Parks pay the rent. If the Lees contributed a set amount, that would be subtracted. If they paid a portion of the rent, that portion would be subtracted. If they pooled their resources together, the amount would be pro-rated.
  14. The Parks can add $18 for a telephone allowance (TUA), since they are not claiming the standard utility allowance (SUA) (which includes the phone allowance).
  15. Total shelter costs are $419.
  16. Half of the adjusted income is $387 ($775 ÷ 2 = $387.50).
  17. Excess shelter costs are $32 ($419 – $387).
  18. Monthly net income is $743 ($775 – $32 excess shelter deduction).
  19. The monthly net income is less than the maximum of $1,675 for a household of three, so they still qualify.
  20. Multiply the household’s net income by 0.3, yielding $222 ($743 x 0.3 = $222.90).
  21. That amount is the adjusted CalFresh income of $222.
  22. The household allotment is $289 ($511 – $222).