General Requirements
CalFresh eligibility is divided into two requirement sections: general requirement sections: general requirements and student exemption requirements. You must fulfill BOTH of these sections to be eligible.
Every applicant must be below the maximum income limit for their respective household. Please refer to the income threshold document for specific guidelines.
You must be a legal resident, green card holder, U.S. citizen, or have dependents who are U.S. citizens to qualify. You cannot have a dining hall meal plan above 10.5 meals/week. If you are under 22 years and living at home with your family, you must apply together as a household. If you are 22 years or older and living at home with your family, you can apply separately from your family.
Undergraduates
Most undergraduate students are eligible for CalFresh if they meet at least one of the following:
- receive CalGrant A or B
- approved for AND accepted work study offer (this can be found on your eFAN)
- work at least 20hrs/week
- Be responsible for a dependent child under age 6; OR dependent child 6 to 11 and no adequate childcare is available
- Be a single parent responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 12
- Be enrolled in CalWORKs
- Be enrolled in an approved Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIEs), which students can be qualified through their major. The approved list of LPIEscan be found here. For more information about how to apply as a student enrolled in an LPIE please review this document.
Graduates
Graduate students are eligible for CalFresh if they meet the following:
- Be enrolled in an approved Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIEs), which students can be qualified through being enrolled through their graduate program. The approved list of LPIEscan be found here. For more information about how to apply as a student enrolled in an LPIE please review this document.
For more CDSS-approved student employment programs please visit the CalFresh Student Eligibility: List of Approved LPIEs here.