You opened your mail or BenefitsCal app and saw the letters IRT staring back at you. Maybe your benefits just dropped $50–$100 with no warning. You’re not alone — thousands of Californians search “What is IRT for CalFresh?” every single month.
Let’s fix the confusion right now.
1. What Is IRT for CalFresh? (The 2-Sentence Answer Everyone Needs)
IRT stands for Income Reporting Threshold, official CalFresh page from CDSS. It’s the exact dollar amount of gross monthly income (before taxes or deductions) that, if you go over even by $1, you must report to your county within 10 days.
Do it on time → your benefits adjust smoothly. Miss it → you risk sudden cuts or owing money back.
2. Why Did I Suddenly Get an “IRT” Notice in 2025?
Every October 1, the federal government raises the poverty guidelines (COLA adjustment). In 2025 your IRT went up $60–$90 official 2025 COLA notice (ACIN I-46-25) depending on household size, so the county mailed fresh SAR-2 forms to hundreds of thousands of homes.
That scary-looking notice? It’s usually just telling you your new, higher limit — not that you did anything wrong.
3. Your Exact 2025 IRT Thresholds by Household Size (Oct 2024 – Sept 2025)
| Household Size | Region 1 IRT (Most Counties) | Region 2 IRT (LA, Orange, etc.) |
| 1 | $1,632 | $1,696 |
| 2 | $2,215 | $2,301 |
| 3 | $2,798 | $2,906 |
| 4 | $3,380 | $3,511 |
| Each extra | +$583 | +$606 |
(These are the standard Tier 2 numbers. Some families get a lower Tier 1 — we’ll explain that in a minute.)
4. IRT vs Gross Income Limit: The Table That Stops 90% of the Confusion
| Limit | Dollar Amount (2025) | Purpose |
| IRT (must report) | $1,632 – $3,380+ | Mid-month reporting trigger |
| Gross Income Eligibility | 200% of poverty | Whether you qualify for CalFresh at all |
You can be perfectly eligible at $3,000/month and still have an IRT of only $2,215. That’s normal and trips up almost everyone. Check Calfresh Income Limits Here
5. Tier 1 vs Tier 2 vs “IRT NA” – Which One Is Yours?
- Tier 1 – Usually lower, used if you also get CalWORKs cash aid.
- Tier 2 – The 130% FPL numbers in the table above (most common).
- IRT NA – Shows up on your SAR-2 if you’re CalFresh-only and stable. It actually means “No mid-period reporting required unless something huge changes.”
6. 7 Income Types That Quietly Push People Over IRT (2025 Edition)
- Child support you receive (yes, every dollar counts)
- Cash gifts or regular family help over $50/month
- One-time bonuses or tax refunds
- 401(k) or IRA loans (the county counts them as cash)
- Forgiven debt (credit cards, medical bills, etc.)
- GoFundMe or Venmo money labeled as “gift”
- Lump-sum unemployment or back-pay
7. Gig Workers & Fluctuating Income: How to Stay Safe Every Month
If you drive for Uber, deliver for DoorDash, or freelance:
- Add up everything you reasonably expect to earn in the next month (prospective budgeting).
- Self-employed? Subtract 40% standard deduction first — that often keeps you under IRT.
- Keep a simple Google Sheet: Date | Gross | After 40% | Running 30-day average.
8. Child Support Received: The Silent IRT Killer in 2025
Real example we see weekly:
Single mom, household of 3, IRT $2,798.
Dad starts paying $800/month child support → gross income jumps to $3,200 → benefits drop $87 instantly.
Good news: reporting it correctly usually only lowers benefits by $20–$60, not the full $800.
9. How to Report in Under 5 Minutes (2025 Methods)
- Fastest → BenefitsCal.com or the app → “Submit Change” → upload paystubs → done.
- Phone → call your county’s Change Line (list at the end).
- Paper → fill SAR-7 or CF 37 and take a photo.
10. What Happens After You Report (The Timeline No One Explains)
- Day 1–10: You report
- Day 11–20: Worker verifies
- Next 1st of the month: New benefit amount starts
- You get a Notice of Action (NOA) explaining the exact change
11. Will Reporting Actually Lower My Benefits? Real 2025 Math
Household of 1, old income $1,400 → new job pays $1,900
IRT = $1,632 → you report → benefits usually drop only $30–$60, not the full amount.
The program is designed to keep helping even when income rises.
12. How to Appeal an IRT Cut & Win (70% Success Rate)
- Call the county within 90 days and say “I want a state hearing.”
- Keep getting your old amount until the judge rules (conditional benefits).
- Most wins happen because the county counted income wrong or you had deductible expenses.
13. 2025–2026: When Will My IRT Change Again?
Next increase hits October 1, 2026. Mark your calendar — another new SAR-2 form is coming.
14. FAQs – What is IRT for CalFresh?
Q: What does IRT NA mean on my SAR-2?
A: “Not Applicable” — you don’t have to report mid-year unless something drastic changes.
Q: Does a one-time bonus count toward IRT?
A: Yes, if it pushes any single month over.
Q: Can student loans push me over IRT?
A: Loans themselves no, but the cash you receive yes.
Q: What if I’m self-employed?
A: Take gross income minus 40% standard deduction first — huge lifesaver.
Q: Is there a hotline for IRT questions?
A: Yes — call your county worker or the statewide line 1-877-847-3663. Find your county’s CalFresh hotline here or Visit Snapusda.com
You now know more about IRT than 99% of CalFresh recipients in California. Bookmark this page, share it with friends, and never be surprised by a benefit cut again.
Final Words
You’ve just armed yourself with knowledge that most CalFresh recipients never get: exactly what IRT is, your personal 2025 dollar limit, and the simple steps that keep your benefits safe — even when life throws extra income your way.
No more waking up to a smaller EBT balance. No more panic when you see “IRT” on a county letter. You now have the power to report changes confidently, appeal unfair cuts, and keep feeding your family without stress.
You deserve every dollar of help you qualify for — and now you know how to protect it.
Bookmark this page (the numbers update every October), share it with anyone who gets CalFresh, and if you’re still unsure about your exact situation, take one quick action right now:
Call your county worker or text “FOOD” to 914-342-2750 for free help from a real person today.
You’ve got this. Your table stays full, and your peace of mind just got a whole lot stronger.
