What is CalFresh?
CalFresh Food is California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program provides monthly food benefits on an EBT card that can be used to purchase healthy and nutritious foods at groceries, supermarkets, and farmers markets!
It's Like Financial Aid for Food!
Consider CalFresh as your food aid to help you focus on school and stay healthy. CalFresh benefits help increase food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious options including fruits, vegetables, organic foods, and more.
Determining Eligibility
Student Eligibility
CalFresh considers you a student if you are between the age 18-49 and are enrolled in 6 units or more at an institution of higher education. If you are a student taking 6 or more units at Santa Ana College, you may qualify for CalFresh by meeting the eligibility requirements below:
To be eligible, you must meet all of the requirements below:
| After meeting Eligibility Part 1 requirements, you must meet one of the requirements below to be eligible: |
A household can get CalFresh if at least one person (including children):- has U.S. citizenship
- has a green card (for any length of time)
- has refugee or asylum status
- has parolee status for at least one year (Ukrainian parolees may qualify before one year)
- has applied for, or is currently applying for, a U-Visa or T-Visa
- is an applicant for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) relief
- is a cuban or Haitian entrant
- is an Afghan entering with special Immigrant Visa (SIV), (SQ,SI) Parole, or other forms of humanitarian parole
- is Hmong/Laotian or American Indian born in Canada
| - Working an average of 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours per month
- Been awarded work-study during the current academic year
- Approved for TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B
- Responsible for the care of a child under the age of 6
- Are a single parent and taking care of a child under the age of 12
- Be enrolled in a program that helps improve employability
- CalFresh Employment and Training Program, including Fresh Success
- Participating in CalWORKS or Triba
- l TANF
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
NEW: Enrolled in an approved Career and Technical Assistance Program - Click here to see if your SAC Major / Program is on the approved LPIE List!
|
| Income: The household must meet the income guidelines. Please see chart below for reference. |
Income Guidelines
Use the number of people in the household to determine which row to use on the chart.
1
| $2,430
| $25-$292
|
2
| $3,288
| $25-$535
|
3
| $4,144 | $25 - $766
|
4
| $5,000
| $25-$973
|
5
| $5,858
| $25 - $1,155
|
6
| $6,714
| $25 - $1,386
|
7
| $7,570
| $25 - $1,532
|
8
| $8,428
| $25 - $1,751 |
Who counts as a member of my household?
A household is a person or group of people who buy and prepare food together.
- You may live with people who don't count as a household member, such as a roommate, who purchses and prepares their own food.
- If you are under the age of 22 and live with biological, adoptive, or stepparent(s) you must apply together, even if you purchase and prepare your own
- food.
- If you are unmarried living together with a common child, you must apply under one household.
Already have CalFresh?
See what stores and restaurants are SNAP accepting near Santa Ana College here!
FAQs about CalFresh
Will receiving benefits affect my financial aid package?
| No, CalFresh benefits are provdied in addition to financial aid. They do not negatively impact eligibility or total amount awarded.
|
Do I have to report CalFresh benefits on my or my family's taxes?
| No.
|
Will applying for CalFresh take away benefits from those who need it more than I do?
| No. Everyone who qualifies for CalFresh can get benefits. In California, there are about 4 million people who are eligible but not receiving CalFresh. For every $5 of CalFresh spent in a community, another $9 of local economic activity is generated. This helps support jobs and businesses in your community.
|
| Will my immigration status affect my CalFresh eligibi | lity?
| Some noncritzens may be eligible for CalFresh. Even if you are not eligible for CalFresh, other members of your family may be eligible. Getting CalFresh won't count as a public charge if you are working towards citizenship. If you are undocumented and facing food insecurity, please visit the Fainbarg Chase Thrive Center food pantry located at Village 206 for free nutritious groceries and grab-and-go snacks.
|
If I get CalFresh, will this impact my taxes or finances in the future?
| No. CalFresh benefits are not considered taxable income and will not have an impact on the future of your finances.
|
