Eligibility
If you are a Disabled Students Program (DSP) member, you are likely to be one of the approximately 10,000 UCSB students who are eligible for CalFresh! CalFresh is a federally funded program through which students can receive up to $234 each month to purchase groceries.
There are four parts of CalFresh eligibility which include:
- Age
- Citizenship (US Citizen, Lawful Permanent Residents, U and T Visas, Refugees, Asylees, VAWA, and some other special immigration categories)
- Student CalFresh Requirements and
- Income
If you are a member of DSP, you meet one of the Student CalFresh Requirements and so are 25% of the way there! DSP has gotten approval to become a student exemption program that you can now use to meet the requirement for this area. If you are over 18, you also meet the age requirement and are 50% of the way there. The last two categories (Citizenship and Income) are harder to assess before talking with you, but Basic Needs can help you to determine the rest of your eligibility if you are interested.
Might not be eligible?
If you think you might not be eligible for CalFresh, Basic Needs is also able to help you identify alternative resources that might be a better fit for your situation. Basic Needs Peer Advisors are trained on resources on and off campus, can help students identify the best options, and can provide them guidance on how to access other programs.
Next Steps for Checking Eligibility and Applying
To check in with a CalFresh Advocate and Basic Needs Peer Advisor, you have a few options:
1. Quick CalFresh Questions. If you have specific questions about CalFresh, you can reach out to Basic Needs on their live chat at https://food.ucsb.edu/ (see the avocado in the lower right hand corner), email them at thrive@ucsb.edu or call 805-893-2786.
2. Zoom Appointments. To set up a virtual appointment with Basic Needs on zoom, please visit https://food.ucsb.edu/ and scroll half way down the page to the blue-green boxes that say “Book an Appointment”. Click there and you can choose a time that works for you. You will need to login to shoreline with your UCSB NetID. If none of the available times work for you, please let them know at thrive@ucsb.edu and they can find a better time.
3. In-Person Appointments. Basic Needs is also able to offer in-person support at the UCSB Food Security and Basic Needs Advising Center (nicknamed the “SNAC”) which is next to the Campus Store and Jamba Juice at the University Center. This is also across from Storke Plaza. You can see their hours for this at: https://food.ucsb.edu/
Frequently Asked Questions about CalFresh
How does the CalFresh program work?
If you apply and are accepted into the CalFresh program, then you will receive an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card in the mail. This card works a lot like an ATM card, but funding is allocated to this card from the government. You can use the card at any major chain grocery store, Isla Vista Food Cooperative, Isla Vista Market, the Arbor, or Tenaya Market.
If I apply for CalFresh would I be taking this resource away from someone who needs it more?
Calfresh is an entitlement program, which means everyone that qualifies and applies receives benefits. Enough funding is allocated to the program to support everyone who is eligible. This funding often goes unused. Only 72% of Californians that are eligible sign up for the program, which is the fifth-lowest rate of participation in the nation.
For the income eligibility, does CalFresh only look at my own income or also my family’s finances?
CalFresh only takes into account the finances of yourself and anyone that you regularly share a grocery budget with, shop with, and prepare food with. If you and your housemates share occasional meals together you can still apply to CalFresh as an individual. You only have to include additional people in your household if most of your meals are prepared together.
When should I apply for CalFresh and are there any deadlines?
There is no deadline for applying CalFresh and you can apply whenever it works for you. It can take up to 30 days from when you apply to receive CalFresh, though there is also an expedited process if you are in an emergency situation, please contact Basic Needs if you want to apply for your application to be expedited. Please note that if you are outside of Santa Barbara County and planning to move back soon, the best time to apply is within the month that your new lease starts or that you plan to move in. So if you are moving back in September, you can apply in Santa Barbara County as of September 1st. Prior to that, you would need to apply in the county you are currently residing and then request to have your case transferred when you move. Basic Needs advocates can assist you to apply in any county.
If I am approved, where can I use CalFresh, and for what?
You can use CalFresh at any major chain grocery store as well as several local grocery stores such as Isla Vista Food Cooperative, Isla Vista Market, Tenaya Market (the grocery store at the San Joaquin Apartments), and the Arbor by the campus library. You can also use your CalFresh at any of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Markets (https://www.sbfarmersmarket.
Is CalFresh counted towards taxes/taxable income?
No, CalFresh is not taxable income and will not affect your or your family’s taxes. CalFresh will also not affect your financial aid.
Do you have more questions?
Please email Basic Needs at thrive@ucsb.edu, call them at 805-893-2786, or visit https://food.ucsb.edu/ and use the live chat feature in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.