Test Calfresh Outreach 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  

What is Changing?
Recent federal law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump newly limits CalFresh to certain groups of lawfully present noncitizens. However, many individuals remain eligible for CalFresh, including household members with U.S. citizenship and some qualifying immigration statuses.
A household can potentially qualify for CalFresh if at least one person (including children) is under the following citizenship statutes:
  • A Citizen of the United States (U.S.);
  • A U.S. National (such as persons born in American Samoa or Swains Island);
  • A Cuban and Haitian Entrant (CHE);
  • A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) who has met the 5-year waiting period or is exempt from the waiting period;
  • A Citizen of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau.
Starting April 1, 2026, you will no longer be eligible for CalFresh and will be denied benefits at application or at recertification if you are a person who is:
  • An Asylee
  • A Refugee
  • A Parolee (unless you are a CHE)
  • An individual with deportation or removal withheld
  • A Conditional Entrant
  • A Survivor of Trafficking
  • A Battered Noncitizen
  • An Iraqi or Afghan with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) who is not an LPR;
  • A certain Afghan National granted parole between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023
  • A certain Ukrainian National granted parole between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2024.
When Will These Changes Apply to Me?
A county worker will check to see if you can keep getting CalFresh at your next recertification. You can keep getting and using your CalFresh until then. You may become eligible for CalFresh if your immigration status changes. There is nothing you need to do at this time.
Some lawfully present noncitizens may qualify for the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP). But most noncitizens who lose CalFresh eligibility due to this recent change in law will not qualify for CFAP. From among the persons who are losing CalFresh eligibility, you may qualify for CFAP if you are a battered noncitizen and/or a parolee. A county worker will let you know if you qualify for either CalFresh or CFAP when you apply for CalFresh or at your recertification. Visit the CFAP website for more information: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh/california-food-assistance-program
 
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, 2025 - September 30, 2026

Household Size

Gross Monthly Income

Allotment
1
$2,610
$24 - $298
2
$3,526
$24 - $546
3
$4,442
$24 - $785
4
$5,360
$24 - $994
5
$6,276
$24 - $1,183
6
$7,192
$24 - $1,421
7
$8,110
$24 - $1,571
8
$9,026
$24 - $1,789
+(1) + $918 + $218
Maximum allotment is not guaranteed. Also, for households greater than 8, add an additional $918 to the monthly gross income for every additional member to reflect the household income limit.
 
Income calculation for Mixed-Status Households: Total household income (including those ineligible) is divided by total number of people in the household, then multiplied by the number of eligible members. 
 
Example: $2,000 total household income, 4 total household members, 3 eligible members
$2,000/4 = $500 each
$500 x 3 = $1,500 counts as household income

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.