CalFresh Eligibility

Use this page to learn more about CalFresh eligibility and complete our prescreener to help assess likely eligibility.

CalFresh Eligibility for Students

Residency

A U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident or at least one of the following is true:

-Has US Citizenship

-Is a lawful permanent residents (LPRs) or applying for a renewal for an LPR, including Amerasian immigrants (sponsorship could limit eligibility)

-Has refugee status

-Has asylee status

-Has an active or pending U or T Visa

-Is an applicant for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Relief

-Has Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)- would need to have their case reviewed for any documentation and see the status of their application for LPR

-Deportation withheld in certain circumstances

-Is a Cuban/Haitian entrant as defined in 501(e)

-Is an adult or minor who is a survivor of a severe form of human trafficking, or their spouse/parents/children

-Certain spouses and children who are survivors of interpersonal violence

-Is an Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant on certain Visa types

-Be a veteran of the United States military, or a member of the United States military, or a spouse or child of a person in the military or a veteran

-Be a member of a Hmong or Laotian tribe that fought with the United States military during the Vietnam War, who is lawfully residing in the United States

-On August 22, 1996, have been 65 years or older and lawfully residing in the United States (i.e., born before August 22, 1931)

-Be an American Indian with certain rights to cross the border between the United States and Canada or Mexico limited to certain Visa Codes

-Be a non-citizen national (born in American Samoa or Swain’s Island)

Meet the Student Definition

Students must be between the ages of 18-49, be mentally and physically fit enough to work, be enrolled at least half-time (6 units or more).

If you do not meet this criteria, you may still be eligible to apply!

Meet ONE Student Exemption

-Been awarded work study for the current academic year

-Work 20 hours/week or 80 hours/month

-Have a dependent under the age of 12

-Enrolled in a Local Program the Increase Employability

-Receive TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B (note, not all Cal Grant A or B are TANF Funded. An email from the California Student Aid Commission can serve as documentation)

Meet Income Requirement

Currently the maximum gross income for a household size of one is $2,510 and increases by $898 for each additional household member. Please note this income bracket changes every October

Meal Plan Status

Students who are living on-campus AND receiving 11 or more meals from UCB are likely ineligible for CalFresh benefits. Students who are living off campus and who have a meal plan might still be eligible.

As a disabled student-parent food security has always been a concern. My fear paired with the cost of living made grocery shopping seem like a daunting, intimidating, and unaffordable expense and experience. Utilizing CalFresh has provided me with the opportunity to focus on studies without food security being a primary concern. As a parent, my priority is always my children’s needs and CalFresh helps meet that need.

JP Piña, Class of 2024

CalFresh Eligibility