CALFRESH AWARDS PEOPLE UP TO $291 PER MONTH FOR GROCERIES!

CalFresh, also known as SNAP/EBT, is a long-term food assistance program for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. 

CalFresh funds are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card each month and can be used to purchase groceries at most grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets, Amazon.com, Walmart, and Instacart. 

CALFRESH BUNDLE - SAVE MORE WITH CALFRESH!

CalFresh benefits are accepted in the Segundo Market, Tercero Market, Memorial Union Market, and the Farmers Market!

CalFresh Student Eligibility

• STEP 1) DOES CALFRESH CONSIDER YOU A COLLEGE STUDENT? 
• You are considered a student if you are:
  Age 18-49, physically and mentally "fit" for employment, and enrolled in at least 6 units.
  
  If you are not considered a college student, you do not need to worry about steps 4 and 5 shown below.
• STEP 2) CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT
• U.S. citizens may qualify for CalFresh benefits!
  Some non-citizens such as Permanent Resident Noncitizens (Legal Permanent Residents [LPR’s]), Refugees, Granted Asylum, victims of human trafficking or domestic violence, among other qualified noncitizen categories, may still be eligible to CalFresh benefits!
  IF YOU ARE AN AB-540 OR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT, YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR AGGIEFRESH, UC DAVIS'S EXPANSION OF CALFRESH. TO APPLY SUBMIT THE AGGIE COMPASS CALFRESH FORM.
• STEP 3) INCOME LIMIT 

•  Students who earn less than or equal to the Gross Monthly Income Limit could be eligible! 

  The number of people in your household is defined as the people you purchase and prepare food with. This means that if you do not purchase and prepare meals with people you live with, then you do not include them to determine your eligibility. 

  NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  GROSS MONTHLY INCOME LIMIT

  $2,430

  $3,288

  $4,144

  $5,000

  $5,858

• STEP 4) STUDENT MEAL PLAN 
• Students with a meal plan of 10 or fewer meals per week could be eligible!
  Unfortunately, if you have a meal plan with 11 or more meals per week, you will not be eligible. This includes the 5-day meal plan and the 7-day meal plan. 
• STEP 5) MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY STUDENT EXEMPTIONS

• Approved for state or federal work-study and anticipate working during the current school year
  Work at least 20 hours per week, and be paid for such employment
  Do not plan to register for the next school term
  Participating in CalFresh Employment and Training or another job training program accepted by CalFresh
  Receiving CalWORKS
  Receiving TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B (must provide proof which is provided after you are awarded)
  Students employed by UC Davis - Campus Employment Program
  Research and Teaching Assistantship Program  
  
  Parents:
  Are enrolled full-time, and are a single parent with a dependent child under the age 12
  Are exerting parental control over a dependent child under age 6
  Are exerting parental control over a dependent child age 6-11 without adequate childcare
  
  LPIE (LOCAL PROGRAMS TO INCREASE EMPLOYABILITY):
  
  Student Programs

  Beyond the Basics: Aggie Compass Career and Skills Program
  Sacramento Valley College Corps (SVCC) 
  Aggie EVO System Program
  First-Year Aggie Connection Mentor
  Guardian Scholars Program (GSP)
  Writing Ambassadors
   
  UC Center Sacramento (UCCS)
  Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP)

  Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR)

  Advancing Diversity in Neuroscience Research (ADNR)

  Advancing Diversity in Aging Research-Honors (ADAR-HR)

  Advancing Diversity in Neuroscience Research-Honors (ADNR-HR)

  Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE)
  Mentorships for Undergraduate Research in Agriculture, Letters and Science (MURALS)
  Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)

  
  Undergraduate Programs
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Development
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
  Military Science - UC Davis Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Plant Biology
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science- Public Service
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Global Disease Biology
  
  Graduate Programs
  Master of Arts (MA) in Education
  Master of Arts (MA) in Mathematics
  Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science
  Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology
  Master of Arts (MA/Credential) in Education
  Master of Arts (MA) in Native American Studies
  Master of Science (MS) in Materials Science
  Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry (AGC)
  Master of Science (MS) in Animal Biology
  Master of Science (MS) in Applied Mathematics (GGAM)
  Master of Science (MS) in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
  Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering
  Master of Science (MS) in Biostatistics
  Master of Science (MS) in Business Analytics
  Master of Science (MS) in Chemical Engineering
  Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science (GGCS)
  Master of Science (MS) in Earth and Planetary Sciences
  Master of Science (MS) in Hydrologic Sciences
  Master of Science (MS) in Immunology
  Master of Science (MS) in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology
  Master of Science (MS) in Neuroscience
  Master of Science (MS) in Plant Pathology
  Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  Master Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)
  Master in Public Health (MPH)
  Master of Health Services—Physician Assistant (PA)
  Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  Master or Science in Environmental Policy and Management (EMP)
  Master of Science in Engineering

  PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry
  PhD in Animal Biology
  PhD in Applied Mathematics (GGAM)
  PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
  PhD in Biomedical Engineering
  PhD in Biophysics
  PhD in Biostatistics
  PhD in Chemical Engineering
  PhD in Computer Science (GGCS)
  PhD in Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology (DEB)
  PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences
  PhD in Hydrologic Sciences
  PhD in Immunology
  PhD in Integrative Genetics & Genomics
  PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
  PhD in Mathematics
  PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology
  PhD in Neuroscience
  PhD in Plant Pathology
  PhD in Political Science
  PhD in Sociology
  
  UC Davis School of Law Program
  
  Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner
  Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  Research and Teaching Assistantship Program

CalFresh Documents Needed

• COPY OF GOVERNMENT IDENTIFICATION
• Drivers license, state issued I.D, or passport are all examples of acceptable I.D
• FINANCIAL AID STATEMENT
• The Financial Aid Statement can be found on "MyAwards," and it must contain your full name and all of your funding. *Tip: Print the webpage as a PDF! This should capture all of the required information*
• CLASS SCHEDULE
• The class schedule can be found on the schedule builder and is needed to show student is at least enrolled part-time at the time of the application.  
• PROOF OF INCOME (IF APPLICABLE) 
• Provide copies of any pay stubs from the last 30 days. 
• WORK-STUDY VERIFICATION FORM (IF APPLICABLE - ONLY IF REQUESTED) 
• If proof is requested by the county, you can fill out this form and have Financial Aid sign it as proof that you are approved for Work-Study. 
  Work-Study Verification Form
• PROOF OF RESIDENCY
• A document that shows your home address. This can be a bill, mail, or other documents that state your name and your home address. 
• LOCAL PROGRAM TO INCREASE EMPLOYABILITY FORM
• Staff can use this template to create their own LPIE Form as proof of enrolment in the program for students. 
• TANF FUNDED CALGRANT A OR B 
• Students can request proof from the Financial Aid office. You may have also received a letter from the California Student Aid Commission which sends out emails to each student who receives a TANF-funded CalGrant.

Check the status of your case

• Yolo County resident applicants
  • Create an account with benefitscal.com (the quickest option) - You can check on your case status, benefit amounts, EBT balance and submit periodic reports, renewal forms and upload documents. 
  • Contact Yolo County Benefits Center at 855-278-1594 (for Yolo County Residents)
  • Fill out a Release of Information Form at the Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center and a member of the CalFresh Outreach Team can follow up with the county and provide you with an update
• Applicants and recipients outside of Yolo County 
  • Can contact your county's benefits center to check the status of their case.
  • Create an account with benefitscal.com - You can check on your case status, benefit amounts, EBT balance and submit periodic reports, renewal forms and upload documents. 

Submit documents

• ONLINE
  • benefitscal.com
• IN-PERSON
  • Davis CalFresh office (or any county office)
    600 A St, Davis, CA
    Monday - Friday
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CalFresh Frequently Asked Questions

• What if I have a job?
• You can have a job and still may be eligible for CalFresh.
• If I do not work, can I still qualify for CalFresh?
• Students are not required to work in order to qualify for CalFresh. However, you still must meet all CalFresh requirements in order to qualify.
• What are some of the requirements for CalFresh in regards to students?
• Students must meet the requirements listed above. 
• Can freshmen receive CalFresh benefits if they have a meal plan?
• It depends on the meal plan you have. Please review the information above to understand if you may qualify. 
• What are the income limits for CalFresh?
• Most CalFresh households are subject to a gross income determination test. Gross income is all non-excludable income (before taxes) from any source including all earned income and all unearned income (I.e. Social Security, unemployment benefits, etc.). See the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website for CalFresh income limits.
• What are the minimum/maximum benefits one can receive?
• The benefit amount is based on household size and household income, with deductions allowed for some expenses, such as rent and/or utilities. See the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website for specific information.
• How will I receive CalFresh benefits?
• The County can mail you the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card or you can pick it up from their office. Benefits will be put on the card when your application is approved. Sign your card when you receive it. You will set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use your card.
• What if I have money in my bank account?
• Liquid resources are no longer considered in the eligibility determination for most households. 
  
  Note: This does not apply to CalFresh Expedited Services (ES) requests – where, if eligible, the county must complete your request for ES within 3 days. During triage to determine if you are eligible to an ES appointment, you will be asked about money in your bank account(s). For most households, even if you are not eligible for ES, you may still qualify for regular CalFresh processing/benefits, regardless of your liquid resources.
• How do I use my CalFresh benefits?
• CalFresh benefits are issued on an EBT card that works like a debit card. You can use it at most grocery stores and many farmers markets. For a list of locations near you that accept EBT please go to https://www.ebt.ca.gov.
• What can I buy with CalFresh benefits?
•  

  You CAN buy	You CANNOT buy
  breads and cereals	beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
  fruits and vegetables	any nonfood items: pet food, soaps, paper product, household supplies
  meats, fish, and poultry	vitamins and medicines
  dairy products	hot foods and food that will be eaten in the store

• Will I have to pay back the benefits?
• You will not have to pay back any benefits you were eligible to receive. However, if there is a mistake and you receive more than you are eligible for, you will be responsible for paying that amount back.
• How often do I need to report?
• If your initial application is approved, you will then be required to report changes every six months and whenever your household exceeds its Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) for CalFresh.
• Can I apply for CalFresh if I don’t get FAFSA?
• Yes. but they will request for your financial aid statement even if you do not receive any funding. Please fill it out so that you can provide a copy to the county when it is requested. 
   
• Can I get CalFresh if I am receiving government aid or academic financial aid?
• Sometimes. Income that counts toward the CalFresh income threshold: non-federally funded financial aid, graduate student stipends, unemployment, and PUC CARES. Income that doesn't count toward the CalFresh income threshold: government economic impact stimulus payment and in most cases federally funded financial aid; these forms of income will still need to be reported. See CDSS website for further information on income thresholds.
   
• Can I keep CalFresh if I am no longer a student?
• Yes, as a non-student the same citizenship and income thresholds apply, but you no longer need to meet a student eligibility exemption.