The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for CalFresh benefits, California s version of the federal SNAP benefits program, took effect on October 1, 2025, giving a small boost to help families with low incomes keep up with higher food prices. This yearly update, worked out by changes in the Consumer Price Index known as CPI-W shows an average rise of about 2.7% for different household sizes.
For the fiscal year 2026, ending September 30, 2026, these changes are meant to make sure that households who qualify can get healthy food without adding more to tight budgets.
Maximum CalFresh EBT payments valid from October 2025
In a state like California, where grocery costs have grown faster than the country because of things like problems with supply chains and local inflation, even small increases can help for the more than 3 million people who depend on CalFresh. The new biggest monthly benefits work for households with no net income, which is the most they can get before deductions for earnings, rent, or other costs are taken away.
For a household of one person, the limit goes up to $298, up from $292 last year, offering a little more room to buy things like fresh fruit or rice. Bigger families get bigger increases; for a household of four, for example, can now get up to $994, up $19 more that could pay for another week of milk or bread.
The full list of new maximum CalFresh benefits
These numbers are the same for the 48 states that are not in Alaska and Hawaii and Washington, D.C., including California, but some states give more money CalFresh does not change the federal maximum but makes it easier to use benefits through its BenefitsCal website.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $298 |
| 2 people | $546 |
| 3 people | $785 |
| 4 people | $994 |
| 5 people | $1,183 |
| 6 people | $1,421 |
| 7 people | $1,571 |
| 8 people | $1,789 |
| Each additional person | + $218 |
As we go through the rest of 2025, these improvements remind us of the program’s important role, helping children learn, stay healthy, and stay financially stable in different communities from busy Los Angeles to quiet Central Valley.
Updated requirements to qualify for CalFresh payments
To be eligible for CalFresh beginning October 2025, households will need to follow updated federal guidelines, with California waiving the asset test to expand access. Key requirements include U.S. citizenship or qualified immigrant status for members, and residency in California.
Income limits are based on the federal poverty level FPL : gross monthly income generally cannot go over 130 of FPL 200 for households with elderly and disabled members in some cases , and net income after deductions must be at or below 100 of FPL.
Here’s a summary table for the 48 states, including California:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit (130% FPL) | Net Monthly Income Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
| Each additional | + $596 | + $459 |
Deductions like a $209 standard allowance (for households of 1-3), plus shelter and utility costs, can lower countable income significantly. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com or contact your county office for a personalized assessment.
