Student Eligibility

There are specific rules used to determine whether a college student (age 18 through 49) is eligible for CalFresh. If you or a member of your household are currently attending college or university half time or more (as defined by your school’s degree/transfer requirements, often 7.5 units), you MAY be eligible to participate in CalFresh if you meet any one of the following criteria:

• Employed for a minimum of 80 hours per month or, if self-employed and working at least 80 hours/month with gross monthly earnings at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 80 hours.

• Have been approved for state or federally financed work study.

• Employed on campus by the school or an auxiliary organization.

• Single parent with responsibility for the care of a child under age 12.

• In a two-parent household and have parental control over a child under the age of 6.

• In a two-parent household and have parental control over a child who has reached age six but is under age 12 and for whom adequate childcare is not available.

• Receiving TANF (CalWORKs/Tribal TANF) cash aid.

• Receiving TANF-funded Cal Grant A or B and 25 or younger, currently unmarried, and CalFresh Household income is under $50,000/year. Students can email or call the California Student Aid Commission to find out their Cal Grant funding source: (888)224-7268 or studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

• Participating in program or major that is a Local Program to Increase Employability at a public institution (this list is available online from CDSS).

• In a Teaching or Research Assistantship.

• Enrolled in a Career & Technical Education program at College of the Redwoods.

• Currently receiving disabled services or disability benefits, or unable to work 20 hours a week while in school due to a physical or mental condition.

• Experiencing chronic homelessness.

• In treatment for or dependent upon drugs or alcohol.

• Experiencing domestic violence.