California Welfare Income Restrictions

California welfare programs are administered at the county level through individual social service agencies. Programs for low-income individuals include food stipends, access to medical care and CalWorks training and employment services, which are available to those who are unemployed. When an individual or family applies for welfare assistance, a case worker is assigned to determine financial eligibility for various programs. Eligibility is typically based on average annual gross income and the number of people represented in the household.

CalFresh

CalFresh's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps eligible Californians buy nutritious foods at a number of supermarkets and grocery stores. A stipend is provided on a monthly basis. Residents are admitted to the program based on a maximum gross income that does not exceed 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or 165 percent of the FPL if the applying household includes a member who is disabled or elderly and can be considered a separate household entity.

Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)

As a federally-funded, locally-administered nutrition program, WIC provides financial food-buying assistance to women, infants and children. The program also provides nutrition education and helps low-income families find access to other community services. To be eligible for WIC funding, applicants must be pregnant women, new mothers or children under the age of five. Eligible annual gross income levels may not surpass $20,147 for a family of one; $27,147 for a family of two; $34,281 for a family of three; $41,348 for a family of four; or $55,482 for a family of five.

Emergency Food Assistance Program

Provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the California Emergency Food Assistance Program is comprised of a network of food banks that assist income-eligible Californians with emergency food needs. To be eligible, the annual gross household income level of applicants may not surpass $16,335 for a family of one; $22,065 for a family of two; $27,795 for a family of three; $33,525 for a family of four; or $39,255 for a family of five.

Medi-Cal

California’s Medicaid health care program, Medi-Cal provides access to a variety of health care experts and medical programs for both adults and children. To be eligible, a family must be at or below 100 percent of the FPL, which is $10,890 for a family of one; $14,710 for a family of two; $18,530 for a family of three; $22,350 for a family of four; and $26,170 for a family of five.

References

• California Department of Social Services: County Welfare Department List
• California Department of Social Services: Emergency Food Assistance Program
• California Department of Social Services: WIC Income Guideline Table
• ASPE: The 2011 HHS Poverty Guidelines
• California Department of Social Services: Eligibility and Issuance Requirements