UCLA
Basic Needs

Applying

Applying Online Undergraduates

Undergraduates can apply anytime for CalFresh online. If you are planning on applying for CalFresh, we highly recommend coming to our Office Hours so we can confirm that you submit your application and verification documents correctly.

Here is a step-by-step video tutorial for undergraduates by our CalFresh team for completing the application.

We have weekly office hours via Zoom for application assistance or questions. Drop-ins are always welcome or undergraduates can make an appointment. We will help you with your online application.

Undergraduates access the zoom link here. We will have weekly office hours every Monday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm via Zoom and every Thursday from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm in-person.

APPLICATION NOTES

  • You can apply as a one-person household, even if you have roommates, with your UCLA address as your permanent address.
  • CalFresh is only concerned with who you regularly cook and prepare foods with. If you are under 22 years old and are currently living with your parents, you must apply as a household with your parents.

  • Are you a college student? Please select “Yes.”

VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS

Please have these documents ready when you apply for CalFresh. Your application will not be approved without these documents:

  • social security number

  • CA ID / passport / birth certificate / driver's license

  • pay stubs from last 30 days (if you are working)
  • a rent or lease agreement, or Bruin Bill for housing (you only need the part of the lease that states how much you pay and your signature)
  • screenshot of your class schedule

  • a financial aid award letter (can be downloaded from eFAN on https://my.ucla.edu/) that shows acceptance of work study, Cal Grant, etc.

WHAT’S NEXT

Mail

DPSS sends all important information via the mail. You should receive a letter in the mail within 2 weeks after you apply for CalFresh with your case information. You can contact the county via the phone number provided in this letter. You can also use your case number provided in the letter to create a BenefitsCal account and link your case, to check the status of your case and update your verification documents.

Phone Interview

This is required to complete the CalFresh application. If you apply online, you should be contacted within 2 weeks for a phone interview. This is required to complete the CalFresh application. If you miss the call, you can call your case worker's phone number or the customer service line: 866-613-3777. Please contact us if you do not receive a phone interview within 2 weeks.

Approval or Denial

The CalFresh application takes up to 30 days to process. You will receive a letter in the mail stating your approval or denial for CalFresh. If you were denied and believe this to be an error, please contact us. If you are approved, you will receive more follow-up mail that contains your EBT card and your pin #. Check here for what you can purchase with your CalFresh benefits.

Applying Online Graduates

Graduates can apply anytime for CalFresh online. If you are planning on applying for CalFresh, we highly recommend coming to our Office Hours so we can confirm that you submit your application and verification documents correctly.

Here is a step-by-step video tutorial for graduates by our CalFresh team for completing the application.

We have weekly office hours via Zoom for application assistance or questions. Drop-ins are always welcome or graduates can make an appointment. We will help you with your online application.

Graduates access the zoom link here. We will have weekly office hours every Monday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm via Zoom and every Thursday from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm in-person.

APPLICATION NOTES

You can apply as a one-person household, even if you have roommates, with your UCLA address as your permanent address. CalFresh is only concerned with who you regularly cook and prepare foods with.

  • Are you a college student? Please select “Yes.”

  • For the "Special Requirements for Students" question, please select "I’m in a college program that trains me for a job (LPIE) or in another resource or employment program that qualifies me for CalFresh*." For CalFresh purposes, your graduate program is considered an "employment 
program."
  • In the empty text box towards the end of the application, which asks if you have anything else to add, please copy and paste the following 
text: I am in a California Dept. Social Services (CDSS)-approved Local Program that Increases Employability:______ (type the name of your program). The list of approved programs can be found here on the CDSS website (https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh-resource-center/policy): Navigate to "Student Resources" > "CalFresh Student Eligibility: List of Approved LPIEs."
  • Be sure to submit ALL of the necessary verification documents (see below).

VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS

Please have these documents ready when you apply for CalFresh. Your application will not be approved without these documents.

  • social security number

  • CA ID / passport / birth certificate / driver's license

  • pay stubs from last 30 days (if you are working)
  • a rent or lease agreement, or Bruin Bill for housing (you only need the part of the lease that states how much you pay and your signature)
  • screenshot of your class schedule

  • Financial Aid award letter, if applicable

  • * screenshot of excel sheet of list of approved employment programs: download here: Navigate to "Student Resources" > "CalFresh Student Eligibility: Improved Programs to Increase Student Employability"


  • *proof of enrollment in your graduate program (letter from financial aid or registrar office on official letterhead stating that you are enrolled in the program)

**Graduate students who have work-study eligibility will have a hyperlink to a PDF document on their financial aid notification (eFAN) -- the attachment is for graduate students not in the professional schools. Submit a request in the Financial Aid message center for your work-study eligibility letter.

WHAT’S NEXT

Mail

DPSS sends all important information via the mail. You should receive a letter in the mail within 2 weeks after you apply for CalFresh with your case information. You can contact the county via the phone number provided in this letter. You can also use your case number provided in the letter to create a BenefitsCal account and link your case to check the status of your case and update your verification documents.

Phone Interview

This is required to complete the CalFresh application. If you apply online, you should be contacted within 2 weeks for a phone interview. This is required to complete the CalFresh application. If you miss the call, you can call your case worker's phone number or the customer service line: 866-613-3777. Please contact us if you do not receive a phone interview within 2 weeks.

Approval or Denial

The CalFresh application takes up to 30 days to process. You will receive a letter in the mail stating your approval or denial for CalFresh. If you were denied and believe this to be an error, please contact us. If you are approved, you will receive more follow-up mail that contains your EBT card and your pin #. Check here for what you can purchase with your CalFresh benefits.

Applying In-Person

UCLA CAMPUS

Virtual Office Hours via Zoom on Mondays, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

In-Person Office Hours on Thursdays, 1:00-5:00 pm in SAC B02

The UCLA CalFresh Initiative hosted weekly office hours in the Student Activities Center (SAC) B202. During these weekly office hours, we are available to assist you with the application process.

DPSS RANCHO PARK OFFICE

If you are more comfortable applying for CalFresh in-person but are unavailable to attend our on-campus office hours, you can visit the DPSS Rancho Park Office which is only about 3 miles away from campus!

DPSS Rancho Park Office

11110 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm