CalFresh Update 2024-01: CalFresh Treatment of Earmarked Income 

CalFresh Handbook

Date	References	Clerical	Implementation
02/12/24	ACIN I-01-24	None	Immediately

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Background

Earmarked income refers to income received by a CalFresh applicant or recipient, which the provider has designated for a specific purpose.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) clarified how earmarked income is treated for CalFresh eligibility and benefit allotments.

Changes

Earmarked income is received as a one-time payment or so infrequent that it cannot be reasonably anticipated to continue, then it is excluded from the CalFresh eligibility determination. Earmarked income is received by the CalFresh household as a recurring income that is reasonably anticipated to continue, then it is counted as income in the CalFresh eligibility determination and benefit calculation.

Voluntary contributions from persons and organizations can only be excluded from CalFresh if exempt under the CalWORKs Other Exempt Income [EAS 44.111.4]  policy AND the fund is not a government source. 

Refer to the Income Definitions & Exempt Income chapter of the CalFresh handbook for more information. 

Documentation

The case journal must document how the earmarked income was handled in CalFresh.  

Data Systems

Manual EDBC or an override may need to be applied until CalSAWS functionality is automated.

Other Programs

This policy applies to the CalFresh program only.

 

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Department of Employment & Benefits Services

Contact Person(s): Michelle Demetrius, SSA BPIS, (408) 755-7540