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Many Eligible Young Adults Miss Out on CalFresh Benefits Due to Stigma and Misunderstanding
High Living Costs Increase Food Insecurity for College Students, Inspiring Advocacy for CalFresh Awareness
According to San Francisco Examiner, in San Francisco many young people who qualify for CalFresh a crucial food assistance program are not applying for benefits. The San Francisco Human Services Agency reports a significant increase in CalFresh enrollment from about 60,000 residents in 2019 to over 115,000 recently. Although nearly 60% of residents aged 18-24 are enrolled around 11,400 eligible young adults are missing out. This gap is often due to misunderstandings about eligibility and the stigma associated with seeking help leaving many who could benefit from the program without access to vital food assistance.
The high cost of living in San Francisco including steep housing costs and expensive groceries has made food insecurity a growing issue for college students. Cindy Chu a student at San Francisco State University and a health-education assistant has seen her peers struggle with these challenges. She has been active in helping fellow students connect with food and housing assistance. Chu finds that CalFresh has been essential for managing other expenses like rent and school supplies. Her own experiences with food insecurity have driven her to raise awareness about the benefits of CalFresh among students who might not realize they qualify.
READ ALSO: $1,400 In Stimulus Relief: Last Chance To Claim COVID-19 Aid For Eligible Americans Before April 2025 Deadline!
11,400 San Francisco Young Adults Missing Out on CalFresh Food Assistance: 60% of Eligible 18-24 Year Olds Not Applying-why is it happen? (PHOTO: CalMatters)
Addressing Stigma and Awareness to Increase CalFresh Applications Among Students
Many students avoid applying for CalFresh benefits because they fear being judged or don’t know how to apply. Walcott from the Human Services Agency says it’s important to tackle these problems. Many young people don’t realize they qualify or are unsure how to apply. Efforts are being made to make the process easier and to inform eligible residents about the program, so everyone who needs help can get it.
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