Home / Food Resources / Calfresh

Calfresh

2019_calfresh_food (1)

Copy of APPLYING FOR CALFRESH Connect with a Calfresh Advocate to get started. Click here.

* We prefer to help students determine if they meet the student eligibility and income requirements through a conversation as their can be many significant changes to student eligibility requirements and income requirements. We highly encourage students to meet with a Calfresh Advocate before applying to avoid delays with the application process.

What is CalFresh?

CalFresh (also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) is a federally funded food nutrition assistance program sponsored by the USDA that helps people purchase groceries. The Calfresh program issues monthly electronic benefits on an EBT card, that is like a debt card, that can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets! Those who are eligible can receive up to $281 per month for groceries! After you apply, you will receive a plastic electronic benefits card that is reloaded each month.

Am I Eligible for CalFresh?

To be eligible for CalFresh you must be:

18 years or older
A U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident or at least one of the following is true
- Has US Citizenship
- Is a lawful permanent residents (LPRs) or applying for a renewal for an LPR, including Amerasian immigrants (sponsorship could limit eligibility, see below section on “Financial
- Sponsorship of Immigrants Pursuing Lawful Permanent Resident Cards”);
- Has refugee status
- Has asylee status
- Has an active or pending U or T Visa
- Is an applicant for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Relief
- Has Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)- would need to have their case reviewed for any documentation and see the status of their application for LPR.
- Deportation withheld in certain circumstances
- Is a Cuban/Haitian entrant as defined in 501(e)
- Is an adult or minor who is a survivor of a severe form of human trafficking, or their spouse/parents/children
- Certain spouses and children who are survivors of interpersonal violence
- Is an Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant on certain Visa types
- Be a veteran of the United States military, or a member of the United States military, or a spouse or child of a person in the military or a veteran;
- Be a member of a Hmong or Laotian tribe that fought with the United States military during the Vietnam War, who is lawfully residing in the United States;
  On August 22, 1996, have been 65 years or older and lawfully residing in the United States (i.e., born before August 22, 1931);
- Be an American Indian with certain rights to cross the border between the United States and Canada or Mexico limited to certain Visa Codes;
- Be a non-citizen national (born in American Samoa or Swain’s Island)

Not be receiving 11 or more meals from another source (such as a co-op, sorority/fraternity house, or meal plan)
Not exceed the income threshold (please contact us to learn more about the income thresholds). *

* We prefer to help students determine if they meet the income requirements through a conversation as the income requirements are complicated, many forms of income are exempt (for example income from work study jobs does not count as income making it easier for students with work study jobs to be eligible), and there are lots of ways to reduce your eligible income (for example there is a reduction for utilities you pay, some childcare expenses, etc.)

If you are a student (enrolled in more than 6 units and between the ages of 18-49) you must ALSO meet at least one of the following or be enrolled in one of the UCSB specific programs listed below. It is fine if a lot of these are not applicable, you only need one to qualify!,
- Works over 20 hours a week in paid work (or 80 hours in a month)
- Can provide a doctor's note stating that you cannot work 20hrs or more per week
- Eligible for Work Study
- Receives Cal Grant A or B
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is $0 on your financial aid award letter
- Has a dependent under 12 years old
- Do not plan to be enrolled next term (and currently under full-time status as a student)
- Participate in at least one Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE). Click here to see full list of programs. *

* We highly encourage Graduate students to speak with a Calfresh Advocate before applying for Calfresh. Eligibility and income requirements tend to be more complex for Graduate students due to the wide variety of funding Graduate students receive as aid to assist in funding their tuition, fees, housing, GSHIP, etc. Many forms of income are exempt (for example income from work study jobs does not count as income making it easier for students with work study jobs to be eligible), and there are lots of ways to reduce your eligible income (for example there is a reduction for utilities you pay, some childcare expenses, etc.) Lastly, many forms of fellowships and aid set aside for educational expenses do not count as income (for graduate students ,this means any portion of fellowships or other funding you receive that goes to tuition and fees, GSHIP (or for undergrads USHIP), etc. does not count as income.

CalFresh Approved Program List for Website

Where can I spend my CalFresh benefits?

CalFresh benefits (also known as SNAP or EBT) can be spent on any cold food item at participating grocery stores. You can use your card in all 50 states and U.S. territories, not just Santa Barbara!
In the area you can spend your benefits at:

• The Arbor • Tenaya Market
• Sprouts • Farmers Markets*
• 7-Eleven • Isla Vista Food Cooperative
• Trader Joe's • CostCo
• Albertsons • Smart & Final
• Target • and more! (for a full list of stores that accept CalFresh, please click here)

* At the farmer’s markets in Goleta and Santa Barbara, Market Match will match your CalFresh up to $15! Meaning that if you spend $15 at the farmers market, they will give you an extra $15 to spend on fresh, local produce.

How do I apply for CalFresh?

Visit a CalFresh Advocate at our outreach locations (listed below), any day of the week! Our experienced advocates will walk you through the application, help you upload the necessary documents, and advocate on your behalf throughout the process. The application takes around 30-75 minutes and you should receive your benefits within 30 days.

If you wish, you may apply on your own by going to https://www.getcalfresh.org/?source=ucsb-outreach. However, we highly recommend applying with an experienced advocate. We are here to make the application easier, help interact with the Department of Social Services, keep your benefits, and connect you to other resources! Also, students who apply with an advocate have a 20% higher acceptance rate compared to those who apply on their own.

Please bring with you:
1. A laptop and/or a smartphone with a working camera
2. Relevant documents from the list below (note: these can be physical copies, screenshots, or downloaded PDFs). If you are missing one of these documents, we can give you instructions on how to upload missing documentation at a later date and alternate documentation that you can use instead of the below.)

Identification: Birth Certificate, Driver License, CA ID, or U.S. Passport
Social Security Number: Social Security Card (If you know your number, you can apply without the card!)
Immigration status: Permanent Resident Card (only required for non-citizens)
Earned Income: Dated check stubs for the last 30 days, statement of earnings from employer (if you are a UC employee, statements can be found here or here)
Housing: Mortgage or rent receipt, first page of your lease agreement, or statement from your landlord/subletter (if you live in UCSB housing, click here)
Utilities or Other Bills: gas, electricity, water, or telephone (1-2 recommended)
College Students: Financial Aid Award Letter and Proof of Units > print with name
Proof of any Program if Eligible (The department of social services just changed their requirements and no longer requires proof of the following in most cases. This is a new change though, so in the short term you might still be asked):
- Proof of Cal Grant A or B
- Proof of Work Study
- Working a minimum of 20 hr/per week (check stubs or letter from employer)
- Proof of Local Programs that Increase Employability (LPIE)

Visit Us!

For your convenience, you can visit a CalFresh Advocate and Basic Needs Peer Advisor Monday through Friday at the UCSB Food Security and Basic Needs Advising Center located inside the UCen/next to Jamba Juice or our El Centro Office Room 115, hours for both location can be found here. You can also chat with us using the chat function in the lower right hand corner of the screen or book a virtual appointment with us using the Book an Appointment image half way down the homepage.

Click Images Below For Interactive Map

Contact Us

In person: visit a Food Security and CalFresh advocate Monday through Friday at the UCSB Food Security and Basic Needs Advising Center at the UCen (next to Jamba Juice) or our El Centro Location Room 115. Click here to find our working hours for these locations.

Virtually: You can also chat with us using the chat function in the lower right hand corner of the screen or book a virtual appointment with us using the Book an Appointment image half way down the homepage.

Phone: Please call us at 1-805-893-2786

Email: thrive@ucsb.edu

Meet our Basic Needs and CalFresh Advocates!

Expand all

CalFresh FAQs

I missed my interview. What should I do?

Please call the Department of Social Services at 1-805-681-4401 to reschedule your interview. Keep in mind that you have 30 days from the date of your application to schedule your interview before you will have to reapply.
How do I keep my benefits?

It is very important that you update the Benefits Service Center (1-844-289-4682) with any changes to your situation (new address, change in income, change in household size). 6 months after you apply, you will receive the Semi-Annual Report (SAR-7) in the mail. This must be submitted in order for you to keep your benefits! 1 year after you apply, you must submit the recertification form.
If you receive either the SAR-7 or Recertification Report in the mail, please visit a CalFresh advocate at our outreach hours and they can easily assist you in accurately filling out and submitting the form. You also can can submit your SAR 7 report on line at https://www.getcalfresh.org/sar7
What is my household size?

For CalFresh, a household is a group of people who purchase and prepare food together.
Most students will apply as single households, even if you have roommates.
Unless you regularly purchase and prepare food with another person or live with other mandatory household members then you should mark one (1).
How do I upload my documents?

Please go to getcalfresh.org/en/docs to upload your documents. We strongly recommend calling the Benefits Service Center at 1-844-289-4682 after to let them know that you have uploaded your necessary documents.
What if my parents receive CalFresh?

If you are registered under your parents CalFresh benefits, they will need to call the Department of Social Services in their county and ask to have you removed from their account. After they do that, you can start your own application in Santa Barbara county.
What if my address/ income changes?

If something about your situation changes, please promptly alert the Benefits Service Center by uploading your two most recent paystubs and/or new lease agreement to https://www.getcalfresh.org/docs. After you have done that, please call the Benefits Service Center at 1-844-289-4682 to let them know.
I lost my card. How can I get a new one?

Please call the Benefits Service Center at 1-844-289-4682 and they will mail you a new card.
What if I graduate?

You can still be eligible for CalFresh after you graduate! CalFresh is a national, federal program that is available to eligible residents of all ages. If you are no longer a student, you should still be eligible as long as you are not exceeding the income threshold ($2,128/ month pre-taxes for a single household).
What if I am not eligible for CalFresh?

There are many other food resources available to students and community members! For more information about food banks, cooking classes, free meals, and other food resources, click here, or come talk to a Food Security and CalFresh advocate! Our trained advocates will be able to connect you to the resources you need.
Want to host an enrollment party?

Email Thrive@gmail.com to schedule an enrollment party for your club, organization, fraternity, sorority, residence hall, or other student group! A team of advocates will come to you and walk you through the application process together. We offer these in person and virtually.

Virtual CalFresh Enrollment Parties
CalFresh has incorporated enrollment parties where our Advocates organize a virtual Calfresh Enrollment Party specifically for your org. As a reminder, CalFresh is a federally funded nutrition program that provides up to $281 per month towards groceries. Just let us know a few dates/times that work for you and we can coordinate the rest! See this video for more information! Email thrive@ucsb.edu to get started.