The U.S. Department of Agriculture every year updates the maximum allotments, deductions and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each Federal Fiscal Year (FFY), which runs from October 1 through September 30 of each year.
For California-specific rules applicable to CalFresh (SNAP) program allotments, deductions and income limits, see the most recent All County Letter detailing current “cost-of-living” (COLA) adjustments in the California program, usually published each year in August or September.
The following are the maximum deductions effective from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020:
| Type of Deduction | Amount in California |
|---|---|
| Earned Income | 20% of earnings |
| Standard | $ 167 (1-3 person household) $ 178 (4 person household) $ 209 (5 person household) $ 240 (6 or more person household |
| Medical (elderly/disabled only) | Costs over $ 35 |
| Dependent Care – actual costs | No maximum |
| Standard Utility Allowance Limited Utility Allowance Telephone Utility Allowance |
$ 432 per household $ 135 per household $ 18 per household |
| Shelter Deduction Maximum (no cap for seniors/disabled) | $ 569 per household |
| Homeless Shelter Deduction – must incur some shelter expense during the month | $ 152.06 per household |