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:

- Cuban or Haitian entrants

- Lawful Permanent Resident

- A Citizen of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau

As of April 1, 2026 the following non-citizen groups are no longer eligible for CalFresh, please note these changes will impact folks at time of new application (after April 1, 2026) or at recertification:

-Asylees

-Refugees

-Parolees (unless they are Cuban and Haitian Entrants)

-Individuals with deportation or removal withheld

-Conditional entrants

-Victims of trafficking

-Battered noncitizens

-Iraqi or Afghan with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)

-Certain Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023

-Certain Ukrainian Nationals granted parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024"

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 $2,610 and increases by $918 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