The amount of CalFresh benefits a household gets depends on how many people are in the household and how much monthly net income remains after taking allowable deductions. [7 C.F.R. § 273.10(d), 273.10(e)(1), 273.10(e)(2)(ii)(A); MPP § 63-502.3 and MPP § 63-503.32.] In addition, households with minor children (or certain children under 19) who meet federal TANF work requirements can get a small supplemental benefit, under the WINS program. [ACL 13-71.]
The county welfare department takes the maximum amount of CalFresh benefits a household can get for the number of people in the household, and then deducts 30 percent of the household’s net income. [7 C.F.R. § 273.10(e)(2)(ii)(A); MPP § 63-503.32; ACIN I-45-07.] This means that for every ten dollars of net income the household has, the CalFresh office will reduce the CalFresh allotment by three dollars.
As of October 1, 2023, the maximum monthly allotment for a one-person household in California is $291, for a two-person household $536, for a three-person household is $766, for a four-person household is $973, for a five-person household is $1,155, for a six-person household is $1,386, for a seven-person household is $1,532, for an eight-person household is $1,751 and add $219 for each additional household member above eight. [ACIN I-48-23.] Note that these allotment amounts reflect changes to the federal thrifty food program, that is, the federal determination of the minimum amount of food a family needs for a month.
If there are only one or two people in the household, the CalFresh office will give it at least $10 in CalFresh benefits, if the household members qualify for CalFresh benefits at all. [7 C.F.R. § 273.10(e)(2)(ii)(C); MPP § 63-503.325(QR).] Also, if the household has three or more people, and the CalFresh allotment comes out to only $1, it will get $2. If eligible for $3, the household will get $4; and if eligible for $5, it get $6. [7 C.F.R. § 273.10(e)(2)(ii)(C); MPP § 63-503.325(QR).] If the household has three or more people and its income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, but they are ineligible for benefits based on their income, their benefits will stop and they are not entitled to the minimum $10 grant (there household are called zero benefits cases). [ACL 14-56.]