Gross Income Test

• Generally, applicants for CalFresh cannot have a gross household income that exceeds 135 percent of the federal poverty line. Households with an elderly or disabled person who qualifies individually for assistance may have a gross income of up to 165 percent of the federal poverty line.
  
  The poverty line for a family of four in 2010 was set at $22,050. To qualify for CalFresh, a Fresno family of four should have an income no greater than 130 percent of this, or $28,665.
  
  

Net Income Test

• If a household income qualifies for assistance under the gross income test, they must next qualify under the net income test. Household net income cannot exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty line in order to receive food assistance.
  
  Net income is calculated by deducting basic living expenses from a household's gross income. These include standard deductions for each household member, housing expenses, utilities, telephone, medical and child care expenses. After all deductions are calculated, a family of four cannot have more than $22,050 left over in 2010.
  
  

Exempt Income

• Some sources of income do not count toward calculating a household gross or net income. These include non-monetary assistance such as meals, clothing or shelter; grants and scholarships; bills paid on your behalf by a third party and gifts from charitable organizations that total less than $300 per quarter.
  
  

Resources

• A household may not have more than $2,000 in available resources. Qualifying resources include bank and investment accounts and some types of property. Homes, vehicles, household items and personal effects are exempt from the resource calculation. The resources qualification may be waived in some circumstances.
  
  

Applying for Aid

• Residents of Fresno County can apply for CalFresh food assistance at the Fresno County Offices.
  
  Fresno County Heritage Center
  
  3151 N. Millbrook
  
  Fresno, CA 93703
  
  559-453-4998