Calfresh Student Eligibility

Student Exemptions

• Enrolled in a Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE). See the list of all approved UCSD LPIE programs HERE
• Approved and accepted a Federal Work Study award. Students must anticipate working during the school term and have not refused a work assignment
• Received a TANF funded CalGrant A or B award
• Receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) or Tribal TANF
• Work an average of 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours per month
• Employed with an on campus job
• Full time student responsible for the care of a dependent in the household under the age of 12
• Part time student responsible for the care of a dependent in the household either:
  • Under the age of 6
  • Under the age of 12 without adequate childcare
• Does not expect to be enrolled next term 

Students with Dependents

If you are a student with a dependent, consider applying for Calfresh! If any of the following apply to your situation, you can meet the student exemption requirement:

• You are a full time student responsible for a child under the age of 12 years old
• You are a part time student responsible for a child under the age of 6 years old
• You are a part time student responsible for a child between the ages of 6 to 11 years old and you do NOT have adequate childcare

Tip: When applying, have your dependent care costs or child support expenses ready to report because they may increase your benefit amount.

Mixed-status Families

Mixed-status families/households are still eligible to apply for CalFresh!

If you, someone in your family, or someone in your household is undocumented, eligible household members can still apply for and receive benefits. The CalFresh Office is NOT allowed to share client records with Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Receiving CalFresh will not affect immigration status and you will not be deemed a “public charge” for using CalFresh. Learn more here.

Example: If a parent is undocumented, they can still apply for CalFresh on behalf of their child. The parent will never need to disclose their legal status at any point in time. 

Income

Individuals/households must have a gross income (total income before taxes/deductions) that does not exceed the limit for the total number of applicants. Refer to the table below for income guidelines.

Students can make certain CalFresh Income Deductions, which are allowable expenses that can be subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income. Allowable deductions include:

• Utility costs
• Shelter expenses
• Dependent care costs
• Child support expenses

Household

A CalFresh Household is an individual or group of people who live together AND purchase and prepare meals together. Most college students can apply for CalFresh independently as a CalFresh Household of 1, as long as they are under 22 years old and not living with their parents or guardians, OR they live with roommates but do not purchase and prepare food with them.

If you live on campus in a dorm:

• You are eligible to apply independently as a household of 1 if you don’t share/prepare food with your roommate(s)

If you live off campus by yourself in San Diego County:

• You are eligible to apply independently as a household of 1

If you live off campus with roommates in San Diego County:

• You are eligible to apply independently as a household of 1 if you don’t share/prepare food with your roommate(s)

If you are under the age of 22 and live at home with your parents/guardians:

• You MUST apply with your parents/guardians. You cannot apply independently as a household of 1

If you are a couple who lives together:

• If you’re married and living together you must apply together (this includes couples who are legally separated but still living together)
• If you’re unmarried and living together with a common child you must apply together

San Diego County Income Limits

Student Testimonial

“Having access to the UCSD Basic Needs CalFresh Team has made a tremendous difference in my life as a student and as a human coming from a low-income community. It has relieved the constant worry of food insecurity that has allowed me to fully focus on my higher education. I now have the privilege of having a sense of stability and peace of mind knowing I am not alone. This support has not only helped when failing to meet my basic needs but has really shown me the true power of community."

-CalFresh Student Testimony