{"id":40,"date":"2026-07-14T18:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T18:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/?page_id=40"},"modified":"2026-08-19T22:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T22:42:11","slug":"calfresh","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/calfresh\/","title":{"rendered":"CalFresh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is CalFresh?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.cloud.microsoft\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=63ih38oQwECWZ_RzLzOB_ol_5h-WjGBMpRt4CabZ-mdUNVJSTkROR0dGMTM2N1pSQTVKTExXV1BEOCQlQCN0PWcu\">CalFresh Interest Form<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>CalFresh is California&#8217;s food assistance program that helps eligible individuals and families with monthly benefits to purchase groceries. Benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. This card can be used at many grocery stores, farmers&#8217; markets and any participating retailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>College students may qualify for CalFresh based on factors such as their income, household size, enrollment status, employment or participation in certain programs. CalFresh can help students afford nutritious food, reduce financial stress and stay focused on their educational goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Student Eligibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many Palomar College students qualify for CalFresh. Student eligibility is determined by San Diego County and is dependent on several factors. The information below helps in understanding the eligibility process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1. Are you considered a College Student?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Student must meet <strong>all three<\/strong> criteria to be considered a college student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be between the ages of 18 and 49 years old<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more units) in an institution of higher education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be physically and mentally able to attend school and work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2. Meet basic CalFresh eligibility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Student must meet <strong>all<\/strong> requirements to be eligible to apply for CalFresh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be a U.S citizen or have an eligible immigration status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet residency requirements (be a San Diego county resident for 30 days)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiegocounty.gov\/content\/sdc\/hhsa\/programs\/ssp\/food_stamps\/income_limits.html\">income guidelines<\/a> based on household size&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Note: San Diego County determines final eligibility<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3. Meet Student Eligibility Requirement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the requirements above, students must meet at least one of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be enrolled in an approved Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE) \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As of <strong>June 1, 2026<\/strong> associate or bachelor&#8217;s degree programs at a California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) are designated LPIEs. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be approved for Federal Work Study<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive a TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive CalWorks or Tribal TANF<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work an average of 20 hours per week<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be employed in an eligible on-campus job<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be responsible for the care of a qualifying dependent child<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Not sure if you qualify?<\/strong> <strong>We can Help<\/strong>!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many students are surprised to learn they are eligible for CalFresh. We encourage you to fill out our <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=63ih38oQwECWZ_RzLzOB_ol_5h-WjGBMpRt4CabZ-mdUNVJSTkROR0dGMTM2N1pSQTVKTExXV1BEOCQlQCN0PWcu\">CalFresh interest form<\/a>, by filling out this form you give us permission to share your information with a San Diego Food Bank representative who can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Help determine&nbsp;your eligibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assist you with your application<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Answer questions about required documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide guidance throughout the application process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Using your EBT Card<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>EBT Cards can be used in person and online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can check your balance using the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By dialing 1-877-328-9677<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online on <a href=\"https:\/\/benefitscal.com\/\">BenefitsCal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Printed on your receipt from an EBT\/CalFresh purchase<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have an Amazon account you can check your balance on the web or app. Items that are EBT eligible are labeled on Amazon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>What CAN you purchase with CalFresh?<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p>CalFresh can be used to purchase various food items such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fruits &amp; Vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meat, poultry and fish (fresh, frozen, canned)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dairy products (fresh or shelf-stable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breads, cereal, baked goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spices &amp; seasonings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ketchup, mustard and other condiments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seeds &amp; plants (those that produce food)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>What CAN&#8217;T you purchase with CalFresh?<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p>CalFresh does not cover alcoholic beverages, foods that have been prepared or heated in store and non-food items such as pet food, household supplies and vitamins. <\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Good News!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Palomar College Campus Bookstore now accepts EBT payments for eligible food and beverage purchases!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Apply On Your Own <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;d like to apply for CalFresh on your own, you can apply for CalFresh online through <a href=\"https:\/\/benefitscal.com\/\">BenefitsCal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is CalFresh?&nbsp; CalFresh is California&#8217;s food assistance program that helps eligible individuals and families with monthly benefits to purchase groceries. Benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12310,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-40","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12310"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":395,"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40\/revisions\/395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.palomar.edu\/basicneeds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}