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. 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 and some farmer’s markets, including ours!
Please submit the Pre-Screening Form below to see if you are potentially eligible for CalFresh. Once submitted, we will contact you to schedule an appointment within 1-3 business days.
Pre-Screening Form
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.
*Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students are not eligible for this federally funded 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
- Employed at Cal State LA
- Cal Grant A or B recipient
- Enrolled in Federal Work Study
- Serve as a College Corp fellow
- Enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
- Participating in a Research or Teaching Assistantship
- 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.
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.
Application Process
Step 2: Receive an email from a CalFresh Advocate to set up an appointment.
Step 3: 45-minute virtual or in-person meeting with a CalFresh Advocate to guide you through the CalFresh application.
Step 4: Upload your documents on your account through BenefitsCal.com
Step 5: Complete a phone interview with a local country representative.
Step 6: Check for your approval notice in the mail! Your EBT card will be sent thereafter.
Keep Your Benefits - Eligibility Status Reports
Semi Annual Report 7 (SAR7)
Report any changes to your situation and proof of income of the last 30 days.
Recertification
This report is annually and an opportunity to make any changes (i.e. income, household size, mailing address, etc.) You can expect another interview with your local county office.
This website was funded by USDA, SNAP, known in California as CalFresh, an equal opportunity provider and employer, and the California Department of Social Services.