What is CalFresh Food?
CalFresh can help you and your family get access to healthy food. You can use CalFresh benefits at most grocery stores and even farmers markets to buy items such as bread, nuts, rice, and more via an EBT card which is used like a debit card.
The OCC Basic Needs team is here to help you helps guide people through the application process.
Basic Eligibility
CalFresh is open to families who are U.S. citizens and legal residents. It's also open to people with a qualified immigration status. People 60+ and disabled may have a higher income and still qualify. International, DACA, and DREAM students will not be eligible, even with a work VISA/Social Security Number. Out-of-state student may be eligible for CalFresh Food if they are residing in California for the school year.
Income Guidelines:
| Number of People in Household |
Gross Monthly Income Limit |
CalFresh Food Allotment Range |
| 1 | $2,510 | $23 - $292 |
| 2 | $3,408 | $23 - $536 |
| 3 | $4,304 | $23 - $768 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $23 - $975 |
| 5 | $6,098 | $23 - $1158 |
Eligibility Considerations for Students
A college student enrolled in at least half-time credit courses and between the ages of 18-49 need to meet at least one of the following:
- Working and getting page for at least 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours a month on average
- Approved (or awarded or accepted) for Federal Work-Study (even if you haven't gotten a job yet)
- Approved for TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B
- Enrolled in a Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE)*
- Responsible for the care of a dependent household member under the age of 6
- Responsible for the care of a household member under the age of 12 with no adequate childcare
- A single parent of a dependent household member under the age of 12
- Recipient of CalWORKs
*Check the approved LPIE list to see if your academic/certificate program(s) has been approved.