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Student Eligibility

Things to consider before applying for CalFresh:

  • You have the right to apply for CalFresh even if it seems like you may not be eligible. CalFresh Advocates cannot determine your eligibility for CalFresh, this can only be determined by CalFresh County Representatives after applying. Below basic eligibility criteria is provided for those most likely to be eligible.
  • Out-of-state students can still be eligible for CalFresh Food if they are residing in California for the school year.
  • You can review basic eligibility via our interactive CalFresh Prescreen Survey! If you have questions, please contact our CalFresh Outreach team at Calfreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu. 
 

Top 5 Basic CalFresh Eligibility Requirements (CHIMS)

1) Citizenship  

A household can potentially qualify for CalFresh if at least one person (including children) is under the following citizenship statutes:
  • US citizen or permanent resident​ 
  • Have refugee status, asylum, or parolee status​ 
  • Have, or is applying for, a U-Visa or T-Visa​ 
  • Is an applicant for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) relief​ 
  • Is a Cuban or Haitian entrant 
  • Is an Afghan entering with special Immigrant VISA (SIV), (SQ/SI) Parole, or other forms of humanitarian parole 
  • Is Hmong/Laotian or American Indian born in Canada
 
Mixed-status families can still apply for CalFresh if they have eligible members in their households! For example, undocumented parents can apply for benefits for their citizen children. See this article on Unique Family Composition for more information. Note that the California Department of Social Services is not allowed to share immigration information with federal agencies therefore your information is kept completely confidential.
 
For a full list of qualifying immigration statuses, and information regarding Public Charge or other FAQ’s visit GetCalFresh.org. For a list of local non-profit legal aid agencies for questions regarding these topics or sponsor deeming, visit this CDSS page.
 
International, DACA, and DREAM students will not be eligible, even with a work VISA/Social Security Number. Reach out to our team about other food support services or visit our pages here. Please also visit our Services for Undocumented Students page for more resources, such as free legal services and grocery/gas gift cards.  

2) Household 

A household is defined as a person living alone (yourself) or a group of people (including yourself) currently living together who buy and prepare food together. For example, roommates or housemates with whom you buy and prepare more than half of your meals together.
 
Mandatory Households: Individuals that must be included in your household, when currently living together, even if you do not buy and prepare food together. The following individuals must be included in your household: 
  • Parents (only if you are under the age of 22)
  • Children under the age of 22
  • Spouses
  • Unmarried couple living together with a common child

3) Income

Your household must be under the gross monthly income limit in the "Income Guidelines" table below. However, people 60+ or disabled may have a higher income and still qualify.

Income Guidelines
October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025

Household Size

Gross Monthly Income

Allotment
1
$2,510
$23 - $292
2
$3,408
$23 - $536
3
$4,304
$23 - $768
4
$5,200
$23 - $975
5
$6,098
$23 - $1,158
6
$6,994
$23 - $1,390
7
$7,890
$23 - $1,536
8
$8,788
$23 - $1,756
+(1) + $898 + $220
Note that the maximum allotment is not guaranteed. Also, for households greater than 8, add an additional $898 to the monthly gross income for every additional member to reflect the household income limit.

4) Meal Plans 

Your household should not have a meal plan that provides more than half of your weekly meals (11 or more) from an external source.
 
UC Merced Students who live on-campus are required to enroll in the Unlimited Meal Plan and are therefore ineligible while residing on campus; unless a meal plan exemption for extraordinary circumstances has been submitted and approved. Off-campus and commuting students are not considered residents of an institution and are not required to enroll in the unlimited Meal Plan and thus may be eligible for CalFresh.
 
For more information on campus meal plans, please visit the Dining Services Website. Or contact Dining Services at dining@ucmerced.edu. 

5) Student Requirement (Exemption)  

Students must meet the Basic Eligibility listed above AND must currently meet at least one of the student requirements (exemptions) found below this section unless they do not meet the state definition of a student or are mentally or physically unable to work. 
 
  • State definition of a student: Between 18 and 49 years old, physically and mentally "fit" (without a physical or mental disability), and enrolled at least half-time in for-credit classes at an institution of higher education.
  • Physically or mentally "fit": If an individual in a household is physically/mentally unable to work and/or is receiving disability benefits from any source, they do not need to meet the student eligibility qualifications listed below. However, they will be required to provide verification of disability. If any questions arise regarding verifying disability, please contact the Merced Human Services Agency. 
 

Student Requirement (Exemption)

Before exploring student exemptions, check the "Top 5 Basic CalFresh Eligibility Requirements" section above. You only need to meet a student requirement (exemption) if you fit the state definition of a student in section 5. Make sure to remember your Student Exemption during your interview with the County. For common verification forms, visit our Finding Verification Forms page.
 
  • Receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) or Tribal TANF
  • Expanded list of Local Programs that require employment here. 
Eligibility
▶
Approved for TANF - funded Cal Grant A/B
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a time-limited federal program purposed with helping families achieve economic self-sufficiency. A student receiving TANF funded Cal Grant A or B meets the student requirement and may qualify for CalFresh.
 
A letter from CSAC will be sent to students through email, or mail, informing them that they have received a Cal Grant payment which includes funds from the TANF program. The email is sent by studentsupport@csac.ca.gov to the email address used to apply for FAFSA - for most students.
CSAC Award Letter Example
Eligibility
▶
Work Study
  • Students may qualify for CalFresh if they have been offered and accepted their Work Study (WS) award and expect to work a WS job or are already working a WS job.
  • Working a WS job also meets the "Campus Student Employment" student exemption.
  • Note that income from Work Study is exempt (does not count) toward CalFresh benefit amount.
Work Study
Apply
▶
Working 20 hours/week or 80 hours/month
  • Students may qualify for CalFresh if they are paid for employment at an off-campus job and work an average of 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month.
  • Students working under Campus Student Employment do not need to meet an average of 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month because Campus Student Employment is a separate student exemption for CalFresh.
  • Make sure income is below the income limit for your household.
  • Verification example: Paystubs that show an average of 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month worked
Proof of Employment
Benefits
▶
Campus Student Employment (LPIE)
  • Students employed by the University of California, Merced are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh.
  • Campus Student Employment includes Work Study (WS) jobs.
  • Note that income from Work Study is exempt (does not count) toward CalFresh benefit amount.
Proof of Employment
Eligibility
▶
College Corps (LPIE)
Students participating in College Corps are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh. Students will still need to meet other CalFresh eligibility criteria, such as citizenship requirements. College Corps income is not considered employment and is exempt grant income.
College Corps
Eligibility
▶
Student Success Interns (LPIE)
Students participating in the Student Success Internship (SSI) program are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh.
SSI
Eligibility
▶
Fiat Lux or Guardian Scholars (LPIE)
Students participating in the Fiat Lux or Guardian Scholars programs are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh.
Fiat Lux
Guardian Scholars
Eligibility
▶
Teaching Credential Program (LPIE)
Students participating in a UC Merced Teaching Credential Program are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh.
 
Verification examples: Program offer letters or emails.
Eligibility
▶
Research and Teaching Assistantship Programs (LPIE)
Students hired for a research or teaching assistant position (GSR’s/TA’s/TF’s), whether paid or unpaid, or part of a training program, are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh.
 
Verification examples: Proof of employment as a research/teaching assistant via offer letter, email, or paystubs.
Proof of Employment
Eligibility
▶
Graduate Degree Program Requiring Employment (LPIE)
Graduate students enrolled in certain degree programs that require an Employment and Training (E&T) component are considered to be participating in a Local Program that Increases Employability ("LPIE") and may qualify for CalFresh. See the list of UC Merced eligible campus programs here.
 
E&T definition:
  • Defined as a service, activity, or program designed to help CalFresh recipients gain skills, training, or work experience
  • Activity must be required of students and be an ongoing component
 
Don't see your degree program on the list, but believe it requires an E&T component? Email calfreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu to see if your program can be approved as a LPIE program.
Application Process
▶
Parenting Students
  • Responsible for the care of a household member under the age of 6
  • Responsible for the care of a household member under the age of 12 without adequate childcare
  • A single parent responsible for the care of a household member under the age of 12
 
If you yourself are not a US Citizen or Legal Permanent resident, but your child is, you can still apply for benefits for them!
  • Make sure you meet the prorated income limit for your household.
  • Social Services will only consider the income proportional to the number of eligible members in the household.
 
Example: Both parents are not eligible, but 1 child is a citizen, so only 33% of total income is counted and held to the income guideline of a 1-person household.