What is CalFresh?
CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly benefits to purchase groceries for low-income individuals and families. On campus, students can access dedicated CalFresh support services that assist with determining eligibility, completing the application, and maintaining benefits.
Please submit the Pre-screening form below to see if you may be eligible for CalFresh. Once submitted, we will contact you to schedule an appointment within 1-3 business days.
Pre-Screening Form (opens external site)
The monthly benefits are issued through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that works just like a debit card and can be used at most local grocery stores. EBT is accepted at the following locations on campus:
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible for CalFresh you must meet the following eligibility guidelines:
Your household income must be under the limits listed in the following table:
household = a person living alone or a group of people living together who purchase and prepare food together.
2025-2026 Income & Eligibility Limits (Effective Oct. 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026)
People in Household | Gross Monthly Income Limits | Monthly Allotment Range |
|---|---|---|
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 |
Your household must include at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
CalFresh is a federally funded program. Unfortunately, you can't qualify for CalFresh even if you qualify for:
- AB540 or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)
- F-1 Visa (international student)
We encourage you to submit a pre-screening form for the Golden Eagle Grocery Equity Program, a program for low-income students experiencing inequitable barriers to the CalFresh program.
If you are enrolled at least half-time and between ages 18 - 49, you are considered a student under the CalFresh program and therefore, must meet one of the "student exemptions" below.
STUDENT EXEMPTION OPTIONS:
- Work 20+ hours a week
- Cal Grant A or B recipient
- Enrolled in Federal Work Study
- Enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
- CalWORKs Recipient or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
- Student with a child between 6 -12 years old with no adequate child care
- Unable to work and registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)
- Enrolled in a state approved Local Employment Program that Increases Employability (LPIE), which is a program that includes an internship, lab, or job training.*
- Participating in a Research or Teaching Assistantship
- Employed on campus (no minimum hour requirement)
- Participating in the College Corps Program
*As of June 1, 2026 all undergraduate programs at Cal State LA are considered a LPIE.
Do you have access to more than half (11+) meals a week from another source like an on campus meal plan?
If so, this can potentially make you ineligible because your local county will determine you are food secure.
The Cal State LA Meal Plans that give students access to more than 11 meals a week include: All Access 7 Plus, All Access 5 Plus, Block 250, and Block 200.
Keep Your Benefits - Eligibility Status Reports
Semi Annual Report 7 (SAR7)
At the 6 month mark, report any changes to your situation and submit proof of income of the last 30 days.
Recertification
This report is annually and requires another intake interview with your local county office.
Funded by California Department of Social Services, and USDA SNAP. USDA SNAP is known in California as CalFresh, an equal opportunity provider and employer.