CalFresh Eligibility

Eligibility:

CalFresh Eligibility for students is based on two criteria: standard eligibility and student eligibility.

Standard eligibility for CalFresh applies to any household applying for CalFresh.

Student eligibility applies only to college student applicants.

Who is eligible for CalFresh?

Standard Eligibility (Must meet all requirements):

Students MUST meet a citizenship requirement
Students MUST be a San Diego County resident for thirty days
The CalFresh Household monthly income BEFORE taxes (gross) must NOT exceed the amount for the household size. Please view the income guideline table for additional information. The County of San Diego processes and makes the final determination of income for CalFresh applications.

College student eligibility for CalFresh is typically based on working at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month (on average). If a student does not meet this work requirement, they may utilize a current student exemption for CalFresh eligibility:

Student Exemptions (must meet at least one exemption):
- Approved for state or federal work-study money and have not refused any job assignments.
- Approved and awarded CalGrant A or B.
  - TANF funded & CSAC letter
- A full-time student who is a single parent to a child under 12.
- A part-time student with a child (6-11 years old) without adequate childcare.
- A student responsible for the care of a dependent household member:
  - Under the age of six.
  - Under the age of 12 and without adequate childcare
- Employed in an on-campus position
- Enrolled in an approved Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE)
- Does not plan to register for the next school term.

LPIE Programs

Outlined below is a full list of programs that now qualify as student exemptions. During the application, these programs will be classified under the name LPIE.

All Campus Program Exemptions

Bachelors Programs
Masters Programs
Doctoral Programs
All Campus Program Exemptions

Bachelors Programs

B.S. in Biology with Specialization in Bioinformatics
B.A. in Communications
B.S. in Computer Science
- Specialization in Bioinformatics
B.S. in Computer Engineering
B.A. in Human Developmental Sciences
B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning
B.S. Environmental Systems
- Earth Science
- Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Policy
B.S. in Education Science
B.A. in Dance
B.S. Human Developmental Sciences
- Specialization in Equity and Diversity
- Specialization in Healthy Aging
B.A. in Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts
B.A. / B.S. in Global Health
B.S. in Geosciences

B.S. Public Health
- Concentration in Biostatistics
- Concentration in Climate and Environmental Sciences
- Concentration in Community Health Sciences
- Concentration in Epidemiology
- Concentration in Health Policy and Management Sciences
- Concentration in Medicine Sciences
B.S. in Real Estate and Development
B.S. in Marine Biology
B.A. in Media
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
- Specialization in Controls and Robotics
- Specialization in Fluid Mechanics and Thernal Systems
- Specialization in Materials Sceience and Engineering
- Specialization in Mechanics of Materials
- Specialization in Renewable Energy and Environmental Flows
B.S. in Microbiology
B.S. in Neurobiology
B.S. in Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Marine Safety Service - Advanced
B.A. in Theatre

Masters Programs

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Analytics
Master of Science in Business Analyst
MA in Music
MA in ASL/English Bilingual Education
Master of Chinese Economic and Political Affairs
MA in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research
Master of Finance
Master of Education and Teaching Credential
Masters of Engineering in Bioengineering
Master of International Affairs
Master of Public Health
Master of Public Policy
Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc)

Master of Science in Computational Social Science
Master of Science, Biostatistics
MFA in Writing
Visual Arts MFA Program
DMA in Contemporary Music Performance
Neurosciences Graduate Program
Theater and Dance MFA
- Acting
- Design
- Directing
- Playwriting
- Stage Management

Doctoral Programs

Chemistry and Biochemistry Doctoral Program
UC San Diego School of Medicine
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Doctoral Program in Audiology (Joint, SDSU-UC San Diego)
DMA in Contemporary Music Performance

Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) in Language and Communication Disorders
Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health,
- Epidemiology
- Health Behavior
- Global Health
Joint Doctoral Program in Global Health

All Campus Program Exemption

Ph.D. in Anthropology
Ph.D. in Art History, Theory and Criticism
- Visual Arts
- Art Practice
Ph.D. in Astronomy
Ph.D. in Bioengineering
Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Systems
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
Ph.D. in Cognitive Science
Ph.D. in Communication
Ph.D. in Compositions
Ph.D. in Computer Engineering
Ph.D. in Computer Music
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Ph.D. in Education

Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology
Ph.D. in Integrative Studies
Ph.D. in Literature
Ph.D. in Materials Sciences and Engineering (MATS)
Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education
Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Ph.D. in NanoEngineering
Ph.D. in Neurosciences, Neurosciences Graduate Program
Ph.D. in Performance
Ph.D. in Philosophy
Ph.D. in Physics
- Biophysics
Ph.D in Interdisciplinary Research on Substance Use

Housing and Income Eligibility

Household

What is a CalFresh household?

A CalFresh Household is an individual or group of people who live together AND purchase and prepare meals together. Families and individuals who live together but do not purchase and prepare meals together do not have to apply as a CalFresh household.

A restricted household must apply together, regardless of whether they purchase and prepare food together or separately. A restricted household is defined as:
- Students under 22 and living with their parents/guardians must apply with them.
  - Applying with Multiple Individuals.pdf insert
- A married couple who live together.
  - If a couple is legally separated but still lives together, AND there is a minor child in the household, they must apply together.
Most college students can apply for CalFresh independently as a CalFresh Household of 1, as long as they are under 22 years old and not living with their parents or guardians. If a student lives with roommates but does not purchase and prepare food with them, they can also apply as a CalFresh Household of 1.

Students who live on-campus with a dining plan receiving 11 meals or less per week may be eligible for CalFresh so long as income and one other exemption are identified.

CalFresh Income Guidelines

Income is based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Students cannot exceed the maximum monthly gross income allowed based on their CalFresh household size and income.
Important Notes/Considerations:
- CalFresh Income Deductions are allowable expenses that can be subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income to help the net monthly income.
- Examples of standard deductions include housing and utility costs.
- Other types of deductions include child support payments or medical expenses. For assistance with evaluating and applying income deductions to your CalFresh case, please schedule an appointment with the UCSD CalFresh team.
- If you are a graduate student receiving a stipend that puts you above the income limit for your household, please schedule an appointment with the UCSD CalFresh team.

San Diego Income Table
Number of People In Household	Maximum Monthly Gross Income Allowed- 200% Federal Poverty Level	Maximum Monthly Net Income Allowed- 100% Federal Poverty Level
1	$2,266	$1,133
2	$3,052	$1,526
3	$3,660	$1,920
4	$4,626	$2,313
5	$5,412	$2,706
6	$6,200	$3,100
7	$6,986	$3,493
8	$7,772	$3,886
Each Additional Member	+$758	+$379