Skip to main content
Basic Needs Basic Needs
  1. HOME
  2. COVID-19

COVID-19 Resources

You can visit the UC San Diego Return to Learn website for an extensive list of up-to-date information on COVID-19 and campus operations for Fall 2022 instruction.

We at The Hub understand the distress many students and non-students may be experiencing now due to presence of COVID-19. We have compiled a list of various resources below both on and off campus that are available for use. 

Our services are open to any registered undergraduate or graduate UC San Diego student. Take a look at our Resource Card, a small pocket-sized brochure that highlights the breadth of our services and resources, which can be viewed via PDF format.

University Resources: 

UC San Diego Return to Learn

Please visit the UC San Diego Return to Learn website for campuswide updates regarding COVID-19 and campus operations for Fall 2022 instruction.

Please visit the General UC San Diego FAQ regarding COVID-19 testing, housing, symptoms, contact tracing, and more topics. 

The Hub Food Support

We will be giving out need-based grocery gift cards to registered UC San Diego students. 

The Triton Food Pantries at both Student Center A (located next to The Hub) and Graduate Housing (a.k.a. "OMS" located at 3605 Miramar St.) have an updated Triton Food Pantry Guide (i.e. no appointment necessary!). Please see the Triton Food Pantry website for quarterly hours of operations.

Additionally, the pantry, in collaboration with DoorDash, United Way, and 2-1-1 San Diego is now providing users (within a 10-mile radius of campus) with deliveries of pre-packaged bags of food. Place your order at least 7 days before your schedule delivery date by filling out the Triton Food Pantry Delivery System Form. 

UC San Diego Grocery Shuttle

UC San Diego's Housing, Dining, and Hospitality (HDH) along with Transportation Services and The Hub have partnered to offer a free, weekly shuttle service to Convoy staring from The Village at Pepper Canyon, located on-campus, for both graduate and undergraduate students.

You can find various dining options there as well as grocery stores like 99 Ranch Market, Balboa International Market, Food 4 Less, Zion Market, Tropical Star Market and Restaurant, and H-Mart.

The Grocery Shuttle will be running every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (excluding university holidays), every hour, during Summer 2022. 

Here's a Google Maps link to the Grocery Shuttle - Convoy route, starting at Pepper Canyon North, with stops in Clairemont Mesa/Convoy. View the Grocery Shuttle - Convoy webpage for more information on the shuttle route including stops, and a Live Map of the route.

Check our Grocery Shuttle webpage and Affordable Grocery Store Map for more information!

UC San Diego Student Affairs Technology Lending Request Form

The application process for the Student Affairs Technology Lending Program (SATLP) is open for Summer Session II through Fall Quarter 2022 (July 18, 2022 - October 17, 2022).

Students currently enrolled and registered in a degree-seeking program at UC San Diego must complete the SATLP application during the quarter of use to be considered.

Devices are limited and will be provided based on availability and demonstrated financial need.

If you have any questions, please email the SATLP at satechlending@ucsd.edu and for more information please see the SATLP FAQ page.

You may also contact the UC San Diego Financial Aid & Scholarships Office to assess what funding resources may be available to you to potentially purchase computer equipment for more emergent needs, and/or explore technological accessories through the UC San Diego Geisel Library Tech Lending Program.

Library Resources and Services

Please visit the UC San Diego Library's website to access the Library's updated resources and services made fully accessible to students during remote learning.

Undergraduate Colleges

Graduate Division

The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in the Graduate Division, April Bjornsen, is available at 858-534-3550 or abjornsen@ucsd.edu.

Campus Wellness Resource Centers

If you are feeling overwhelmed or need additional support please connect with our campus wellness services: 

If you are worried about your situation and would like to explore your options on a personalized level, please reach out to your UC San Diego College Dean. 

UC Campus Reciprocity

The UC Basic Needs Reciprocity Resources Google document compiles the ongoing Basic Needs programs and services offered to all University of California (UC) students across all UC campuses.

As a registered UC student, you are eligible to access basic needs resources at any UC campus. Students farther from their home campus can access basic needs resources from another UC campus closer to them. Many basic needs assistance programs remain open or have continued hours of operation in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

CalFresh:

Administrative Flexibilities

Telephonic Signature
CalFresh has been granted flexibility to more easily accept signatures from CalFresh applicants over the phone. If you need assistance updating your CalFresh case, we can connect you with our San Diego County caseworker, Felicia Daniel, who has been working with us closely on many of our UC San Diego student cases. Felicia is able to process any over the phone signatures or updates you may need to complete your CalFresh application.

Waived Interviews

Initial and recertification interviews have been waived until December 31st, 2021. Face-to-face interviews are also waived until December 31st, 2021. Applicants may still be contacted by the county if missing documentation or if their application requires clarification. There are no 30 minute interviews via phone at this time.

San Diego will continue to apply these waivers until a final response is received from FNS on the extension request. These waivers will continue into January 2022.

Additional Food Benefits

Emergency CalFresh Allotments
Existing CalFresh recipients may receive a supplemental payment to bring their benefits up to the maximum amount based on household size. Households already at the maximum amount will not receive an emergency allotment.

Example: If you are currently receiving $95 for a household size of one, you may receive $234, which is the maximum benefits amount for a household of one.

Emergency allotments are not guaranteed each month. They are currently approved on a month-by-month basis.

  • Emergency Allotments have been approved for the month of September and will be distributed October 24, 2021.

You do not need to make any changes or updates to your case. Benefits will be directly added to your EBT card the following month, if the emergency allotment is approved. To check your balance statement, check your most recent grocery receipt or call the number behind your EBT card for your current balance.

Replacement CalFresh
CalFresh households that lose food due to power outages lasting four or more hours can submit a Replacement Authorization Form (CF 303) within 10 days of the power outage. Forms can be submitted electronically by uploading to MyBenefits CalWin website and GetCalFresh.org website or over the phone by calling Access at 866-262-9881. Please visit the Replacement CalFresh Page for more information and resources. 
Additional circumstances may allow for you to apply for Replacement CalFresh, including:

  • Lost power for 4 hours or more
  • Utilities were shut off (for any reason)
  • Freezer or refrigerator stopped working
  • There was damage from a fire, flood, or storm

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) 
P-EBT benefits are used to support children who have lost access to the Free and Reduced Meal Program in their school due to the pandemic. These benefits will be issued on EBT cards and can be used to buy groceries, just like CalFresh food benefits. Summer P-EBT is planned to cover the months of June, July, and August

  • No plans are officially approved; however it may be distributed as soon as October 2021

Those who are eligible include households receiving CalFresh benefits with young children aged 0-6 and students in the Free & Reduced-Price Meal program whose school is closed during the 2020-2021 school year.

To receive P-EBT benefits, ensure that your child is listed under your household, update your child’s Free & Reduced-Price Meal application, and double-check that your address is kept up to date with your child’s school. For more information, click please visit the San Diego Hunger Coalition P-EBT 2.0 Expanded Eligibility webpage.

On & Off Campus Student Updates

Students Living in California
Students living in California can receive help applying for CalFresh from CalFresh Outreach Assistants even if NOT currently living in San Diego. Fill out our CalFresh Assistance Form if you’d like more information! 

EBT Online

Purchasing Groceries Online
You can use your EBT card to purchase groceries online. Stores that accept EBT payment online include Amazon, Walmart, Vons, Safeway, Albertsons, and Aldi (via Instacart). Please note that you cannot use your EBT card to pay for delivery services; a separate payment method is required.

Non-EBT eligible items may be included in your order, but must be paid with another payment method.

For retailer-specific information, please review our list of Online EBT Retailer Information. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Has COVID-19 changed eligibility for students?

Yes! Temporary Eligibility Exemptions for students have been added to help more students qualify for CalFresh. To view more information about this, view our CalFresh Eligibility Page.

Can students receive online assistance on the CalFresh Application?

Yes! We offer BOTH in-person walk-ins and appointments at The Hub AND online Zoom walk-ins and appointments! Fill out our CalFresh Assistance Form if you’d like more information. 

Fore more FAQs about CalFresh please view our CalFresh Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs) webpage. For FAQs on the temporary changes to CalFresh Student Eligibility, please view our CalFresh Temporary Changes document.

 

Community Resources:

FREE At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com.

Here's what you need to know about your order:

  • Limit of one order per residential address
  • One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
  • Orders will ship free starting in late January

Please visit USPS.com to fill out an order form!

A Guide to College Storage

Most colleges don't have storage for students, and if they do, it's limited. It also might not be feasible to store belongings at your parent/guardian's place, especially if you're out of state or planning to study abroad.

That's where College Storage comes in. College Storage has complied all important information so you can find the best option for your needs -- from which features look for, how much you can expect to spend, and how to maximize your storage space. College Storage even found the top 5 college storage units to give you a place to start!

Housing Help San Diego

The Housing Help San Diego website is a one-stop resource to support San Diegans struggling to pay rent, stay housed and understand their housing rights during the pandemic.

County of San Diego Security Deposit Assistance Program

The County of San Diego’s Security Deposit Assistance Program (SDAP) helps eligible County residents with a security deposit payment.

The program provides one-time payment assistance for renters unable to pay for a security deposit through a security deposit voucher program. The security deposit cannot exceed two months’ rent for a maximum award amount of $7,000. Vouchers are limited.

Applications will be accepted until funds are no longer available. The application period will be open, starting September 3, 2021 for two weeks and initial applications for review will be selected via a random lottery.  After that applications will be selected based on date and time of application.

Complete the online application, or apply over the phone to receive assistance, please call: (858) 694-4801. 

California COVID-19 Rent Relief

The California (CA) COVID-19 Rent Relief program provides financial assistance for rent and utilities to income-eligible California renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19. Both renters and  landlords can apply for assistance.

Depending on the address of your rental property, you may be eligible for a local program.

Complete the online application to determine which program is right for you.

Affordable Home Internet

2022_ACP_CETF_Flyer_ENG_SPA-11024_1.png

2022_ACP_CETF_Flyer_ENG_SPA-11024_2.png

COVID-19 Cybercrime and Scams

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has seen a huge spike in reported scams, from phishing to misinformation online. From January to September, there have been 211,000 reports overall.

Security.org has researched and collected dozens of examples of COVID-19 scams and analyzed the FTC data. Visit the Security.org website to find out more!

Best Internet Providers in San Diego

The BroadbandSearch website allows users to search for the best Internet and Television providers in your area. The Broadband Search team has put together extensive research on the providers and plans available across the United States, which includes download speeds, pricing, data caps, fine print, and more.

Internet Service Benefit Programs

Learn more about How to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program by visitng highspeedinternet.com.

Here are a few of the issues this resource addresses: 

  • As of May 12, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) now offers an exciting new Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) to help students, low-income families, and others affected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay for internet costs
  • The EBB offers the following discounts for eligible households:
    • Up to $50/mo. for broadband internet service
    • Up to $75/mo. for broadband internet service on qualifying tribal lands
    • A one-time discount of up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop, or tablet
  • The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly broadband service discount and one device purchase discount per household. It will end six months after the pandemic is officially declared as over or when the allocated funds are depleted—whichever comes first. 

Check out this Guide to Internet Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Here are a few of the issues this resource addresses: 

  • Can I get free internet during the coronavirus outbreak?
  • Will my internet speed be affected by the coronavirus outbreak?
  • How to test your internet speed if you connection seems slower than usual
  • If I’m working from home, how much internet speed do I need? 
  • Will my internet data cap stay the same during the coronavirus outbreak?

Check out this Guide for Affordable Internet Service Programs

What this resource addresses: 

View this list of view providers in your area and compare options based on your needs

View this list to see which Internet Service Providers have data caps

Here are a few of the issues this resource addresses: 

  • Internet providers who have temporarily waived data caps during the COVID-19 outbreak

Check out this Guide to Rural Internet Service During Coronavirus Outbreak

Here are a few of the issues this resource addresses: 

  • Viasat’s response to COVID-19 (they will not terminate service for those who can’t pay through June 30)
  • HughesNet’s response to COVID-19 (they will also not terminate service for those who can’t pay)
  • Hotspot options for those who can’t get fast satellite internet at home
  • How to get free or cheap rural internet access during this time

2-1-1 San Diego COVID-19 Resources

Please review the 2-1-1 San Diego Resource Database for resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

San Diego Hunger Coalition

The San Diego Hunger Coalition has compiled a list of food assistance resources and information regarding Meals for Kids, Food Banks, WIC, CalFresh (SNAP), and Senior & Congregate Meals.

Important update: The changes to the Public Charge Rule implemented in 2019 have been repealed. It is now safe to access all types of food assistance. Please take advantage of all public benefits for which you are entitled.

Check out the flyer, or go to their website for more information. 

Local Food Banks

California Social Resource Database

The California Social Resource Database (CSRD), previously known as CaliResources, is an organization dedicated to helping those who are affected by the pandemic. The resource database serves to provide information towards food, employment, housing, education, utility, and other services specific to each county in California.

Addressing Fear and Anxiety