Enjoy your CalFresh Benefits when you are a Student

CalFresh is the state of California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp program, which offers low-income Californians cash aid for food purchases.. Benefits can be used for fruit and vegetables, but cannot be used for fast food or alcohol. Students may be eligible for CalFresh benefits while studying to help pay for food bills. CalFresh benefits issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer can be used in grocery stores and participating farmers markets, and homeless, elderly, or disabled persons may purchase prepared meals from participating restaurants with their EBT card.

The eligibility rules for students aged 18–49 are determined by two factors: whether they can be proven to be students and whether they fall within one of the listed exceptions. These include being physically and mentally fit, enrolled at least half time, and enrolled in higher education.

Students can receive CalFresh benefits if they meet certain requirements, such as working 20 hours a week, receiving federal or state work-study money, and being approved for a TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B (SAM, 2023).

Enrolled in a CalFresh employment and training (FSET) program, other state or local job training programs, or programs for low-income students that are equivalent to an employment and training (E&T) component.