Unearned Income

Includes direct payments, pass-on payments, and excess payments. It also includes the first $100/month of child/spousal support paid (including arrearages) to or on behalf of a household.

Direct child support payments received for step/half-siblings who are excluded from CalWORKs AU's MAP under SB 380 must be counted.

Exception: When the child support payment (including court-ordered arrearages) must be transferred to DCSS to maintain CalWORKs eligibility, it is excluded for CalFresh, whether or not the money is actually transferred.
Once the client signs the agreement (CW 2.1) with DCSS to turn in child support payments, these payments are exempt from the CalFresh budget.

Child support collected by the DCSS in a month the HH was not on CalFresh but issued to the HH by DCSS in a month the HH is on CalFresh is considered a lump sum payment and is counted as a resource. It is NOT counted as income.

Includes State DIB and payments from any other disability plan.

Refer to UIB/DIB Offsets if all or part of a DIB payment is withheld for a chart listing the various offsets and their treatment.]

Count recurring income that is reasonably anticipated to continue unless specifically exempted. Refer to Exempt Income [63-502.2].

ExampleExample

Counted as income when received in annual installments, but exempt as income and counted as a resource (non-recurring lump sum) when received in a one-time payment.

Lottery winnings paid annually and not made in monthly installments shall be averaged over 12 months.

Exception: A household that receives substantial lottery and/or gambling winnings immediately becomes ineligible for CalFresh. Refer to Chart Book Chapter 2 for the current substantial lottery and/or gambling winnings resource limit.

All PFL payments linked to SDI are considered unearned income.

Note: Prior to receiving PFL, the individual has the option to take up to two weeks of vacation or sick leave. If this occurs, the vacation or sick leave payments are considered earned income.

Refugees are eligible to receive R&P income of $1,100 or more per person within the refugee’s first 90 days in the U.S. Income is treated according to the way the VOLAGs disburse the funds:

• Funds disbursed in several payments in more than one calendar month are counted as unearned income and prospectively budgeted.

  • Note: Income “earmarked” by the VOLA for specific purposes (rent, utilities, furniture, etc.) is considered excluded income.

• Funds disbursed as Lump Sum or Vendor Payments are exempt.

Refer to Exempt Income [63-502.2].

• Count as uneared if CF HH is only on the lease agreement and receives money directly from a non-household(s).
• Count as unearned if CF HH owns a property and rents out the entire property but spends less than an average of 20 hours per week to manage the rental property.

If all or part of a UIB payment is withheld:

• To repay an overpayment, count only the reduced amount as income.
• Due to earnings received during the period for which the payment is being issued, count only the reduced amount as income.
• Due to a benefit garnishment, voluntary withholdings, or child support, count the FULL UIB amount before the reduction as income. Allow child support deduction if benefits are garnished for child support payment.

Refer to UIB/DIB Offsets for a chart listing the various offsets and their treatment.]