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FAQs

Applying

What is CalFresh?

CalFresh is a federal nutrition assistance program that helps eligible individuals and families stretch a tight food budget. CalFresh also helps many afford to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into their diets. Those who qualify are entitled to receive this assistance and will not take someone else’s place or money from another person or program.

What are the CalFresh eligibility criteria for students?

Basic eligibility criteria for students is provided and explained here.

Can I get help with my application?

  • UC Merced's CalFresh Outreach advocates provide students with one-on-one application assistance. You can sign up for an appointment here.
  • If you need to talk to a county representative, please contact your county's Human Services Agency. For those who reside in Merced County, you can call (209) 385-3000 to speak to a county CalFresh representative.

Which county do I apply in?

You should apply in the county where you are currently living. For many students during the semester, this will be Merced County if they are residing in Merced.

 

Submitting Verification

Where do I turn in the verification forms I was asked for?

  • We recommend submitting verification forms through your BenefitsCal Dashboard. You can find a helpful video on how to do this here.
  • You can also mail or drop off your documents to your county's Human Services Agency. The Merced County's Human Services Agency address can be found here. For another county's Human Services Agency address, use this link.

What happens if I wasn't able to turn in my documents on time?

You will have to re-apply if you were unable to finish the application process within 30 days.

 

Using Benefits

How do I use my EBT Card?

  • You can find a list of locations that accept EBT here! 
  • ebtEDGE is a free app for checking your EBT balance, spending history, and the overall management of your card.
  • You can reset your EBT card pin by calling the number on the back of your EBT card, visiting a county office in-person, or by visiting the ebtEDGE app. 

Where can I use my CalFresh benefits?

You can use your benefits at any store or farmers market in the United States that accepts EBT. You can also use your benefits to buy groceries online at stores like Amazon and Walmart (delivery fees not covered). For more details, visit EBT Online.

What can I buy with CalFresh?

Using CalFresh, you can purchase any item with a nutrition label. This includes food items such as bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products. You can also buy seeds and plants to grow your own food!

What can I not buy with CalFresh?

With CalFresh, you can NOT purchase non-food items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, or household supplies. In addition, you can NOT purchase vitamins, medicines, hot foods, beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco. 

 

Maintaining and Managing Benefits

Can I get help with my SAR7 or Recertification?

Yes, you can get help with your SAR7 or Recertification. Please visit our SAR7 page or contact us at calfreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu using your UCM email.

How do I resolve case issues?

  • Connect with your case worker
    • Message your case worker directly through your BenefitsCal Dashboard! Or contact them by phone by calling your county office number and dialing their extension listed on any county Notice of Action forms.

  • Connect with our team
    • If you need help escalating an issue with your CalFresh case, email us at calfreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu. For any escalations, you can expect to receive a call directly from the county office.

  • Meet with a Merced County Representative on campus (paused until Spring 2025)
    • A representative from Merced County Human Services Agency will be on campus, in-person, at Terrace Center 101 (behind the Basic Needs Center) for one-on-one CalFresh assistant appointments. Please visit our Calendly page to select a date and time that works best for you. During a one-on-one meeting, students can discuss CalFresh case questions or challenges related, but not limited to, initial application, verification forms, Semi-Annual Report (SAR7), Recertification, and/or denials.

  • CalFresh Fair Hearings
    • A Fair Hearing is when a household provides written or verbal appeal if they disagree with the county’s decision on their CalFresh case. If a household is receiving, received, or applied for CalFresh Food benefits and received a Notice of Action (NOA) from the county regarding a denial, change in benefits, or no action taken on your application, the household has the right to request a Fair Hearing. You may visit the Appeals Case Management System and submit an appeal via phone, mail, fax, or online form.

How do I transfer my benefits from another county?

If you have benefits in another county and simply want to transfer them to Merced, re-apply to CalFresh in Merced County. Your application will automatically be screened for an Inter-County Transfer, and Merced County will request that your benefits are transferred from your home county. Please note Inter-County Transfers are not possible if you are not the primary person of existing benefits. For example, if you are under a parents' CalFresh benefits. In a case like this, you will need to re-apply and interview.

What steps do I take if my benefits have been stolen?

  • Cancel your card
    • Contact the county by calling the EBT Customer Service Hotline: (877) 328 - 9677.
    • Immediately suspend your card at www.ebt.ca.gov or through the ebtEDGE app.

  • Report the theft
    • You must submit an EBT 2259 Form within 90 days from the date the electronic theft occurred. It is best to submit the form in-person in order to correctly fill it out. The county will take up to 10 days to issue replacement funds.
    • Please note that you will need to identify the transactions that were illegal. The EBT Hotline has a 60-day transaction history, BenefitsCal has 3 months, and EBT Edge has 365 days. You can also ask the county to help you identify the illegal transaction(s).
  • Ask for a new card
    • Tell the county if you need to pick up a card to prevent mail delays or mail theft. The EBT Customer Service Hotline cannot issue you a new card.

 

Other

Will receiving CalFresh benefits affect my financial aid or taxes?

No, receiving CalFresh will not affect your financial aid or taxes.

Will receiving CalFresh benefits affect my immigration status?

  • Visit A CalFresh Guide for Immigrants for more information.
  • The UC Immigrant Legal Services Center provides free immigration-related legal consultations, Know Your Rights Workshops, and immigrant legal resources for UC Merced students and their immediate family members (parents, siblings, spouses, and children). Visit Legal Services for more information.
 
If your question was not answered here, please email us at calfreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu using your UCM email.