What is CalFresh?
Formerly known as "food stamps," CalFresh is the name of the USDA-funded Supplemental Nurtrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the state of California. CalFresh provides eligible students with up to $292 per month. Recipients access their CalFresh benefits using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. CalFresh food benefits help increase food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious options including fruits, vegetables, organic foods, and more.
What is CalFresh Outreach at Santa Ana College?
CalFresh Outreach is here to support SAC students through the CalFresh application process. This includes pre-screening for eligibility, application assistance, document submission, support with maintaining their benefits by supporting mid-year reports, annual renewal process, support with county case related requests, and connection to on and off campus resources.
| Contact us! |
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Click here to schedule an appointment to go over your eligibility or contact us to learn more!
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Who is eligible for CalFresh?
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:
Step 1
To be eligible, you must meet all of the requirements below:
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
Income: The household must meet the income guidelines. Please see chart below for reference.
Step 2
After meeting Eligibility Part 1 requirements, you must meet one of the requirements below to be eligible:
- 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
- Participating in CalWORKS or Triba
- lTANF
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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 Guidelines
Use the number of people in the household to determine which row to use on the chart.
| House Hold Size | Gross Monthly Income | Food Allotment Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,510 | $25 - $292 |
| 2 | $3,408 | $25 - $536 |
| 3 | $4,304 | $25 - $768 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $25 - $975 |
| 5 | $6,098 | $25 - $1,158 |
| 6 | $6,994 | $25 - $1,388 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $25 - $1,534 |
| 8 | $8,748 | $25 - $1,753 |
| * Add this amount for each additional member | + $858 | + $219 |
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!
| Contact us! |
|---|
Click here to schedule an appointment to go over your eligibility or contact us to learn more!
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Frequently Asked Questions
CalFresh, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), is a program available to help meet the basic needs of Californians by providing monthly food benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy nutritious foods.
Many college students are eligible for financial aid to assist with paying for college. Consider CalFresh as your food aid to help you focus on school and stay healthy. CalFresh benefits help increase the amount of money available to purchase food, allowing individuals, including college students and families to afford nutritious meal options including fruits, vegetables, organic foods, and more.
The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on household size, countable income, and monthly expenses such as rent and utilities.
No. CalFresh benefits are provided in addition to financial aid. They no do negatively impact eligibility or the total amount you will receive in financial aid.
No. CalFresh is available to everyone who meets the eligibility requirements.
If you tried to enroll in CalFresh and received a Notice of Action letter saying you have been denied, we encourage you to call your county. Most cases can be resolved by calling the county directly and asking for clarification about why the decision has been made. If you disagree with the decision made by the county about your case, fill out the back of the Notice Action to submit an appeal.
Participants can use benefits to purchase food including refrigerated prepared food or seeds to grow food. CalFresh can also be used at many local grocery stores and farmers markets to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
No. CalFresh benefits do not need to be paid back.
No, you are not required to report CalFresh benefits when you or family members are filing tax returns.
Some noncitizens may be eligible for CalFresh. Even if you are not eligible for CalFresh, other members of your family may be eligible. Getting CalFresh will not count as a public charge. Sharing your immigration status is not required to use their services.