CalFresh awards students up to $204 per month. It's a free debit card for groceries!

You're likely eligible if you are approved for Work-Study, work part-time, have children, receive Cal Grants A or B, or participate in an EOP program. If approved, you'll get money within 30 days.

General questions

Email the CalFresh Team at calfresh.compass@ucdavis.edu.

Check the status of your case

• Case status or active case inquiries, call the Yolo County Benefits Center at 855-278-1594.
• MyBenefits CalWIN, because of long wait times by phone, we recommend creating an account at www.mybenefitscalwin.org to check on case status, benefit amounts, EBT balances and to submit periodic reports, renewal forms and to upload documents etc.

Submit documents

• Active cases (must have case number)
  • Email Yolo County Benefits Center at CBC@yolocounty.org
  • Upload to GetCalFresh.org
• New cases
  • Email MyApp@yolocounty.org

You can also submit documents n-person at the Davis CalFresh office, 600 A St, Monday thru Friday, 8am - 4pm or any Yolo County office.

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 other CalFresh requirements in order to qualify.
• What are some of the requirements for CalFresh in regards to students?
• Students must meet the citizenship, identification, income, address and student- related information requirements in order to determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits.
• Can freshmen receive CalFresh benefits if they have a meal plan?
• No. Individuals with an unlimited meal plan are not eligible to receive CalFresh benefits because they receive more than half of their meals from another source.
• 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 will mail or give you a plastic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. 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. Financial aid is not a requirement for CalFresh benefits.
   
• 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.