Food Stamps for College Students: How Can You Get a Monthly Payment?

Paying for college can mean balancing tuition, rent and basic living costs before groceries even enter the equation. A recent California rule change could make that last expense easier to manage for more students.

Beginning June 1, students enrolled at least half time in an associate or bachelor's degree program at a California Community College, California State University or University of California campus can use that enrollment as a pathway around the special student restriction that often blocks college students from CalFresh.

CalFresh is California's version of SNAP, the federal food assistance program. Approved households receive monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card that can be used to buy eligible groceries. The amount varies based on income, household size and certain expenses.

The change matters because students previously often needed another exemption, such as working at least 20 hours a week, qualifying for work study, caring for a child or participating in an approved employment program.
 

Who can qualify under the new student rule?

The expanded pathway doesn't mean every college student automatically receives food benefits. Students must still meet the normal CalFresh financial and household requirements.

The new rule simply makes it easier for certain public college students to satisfy the additional eligibility test that applies to people enrolled at least half time.

Other exemptions remain available. Students may also qualify by working an average of 20 hours per week, being eligible for federal or state work study, caring for a qualifying child, receiving CalWORKs or participating in an approved employment and training program.

Students younger than 22 who live with their parents generally must be included in the same CalFresh household as their parents rather than applying separately. Campus meal plans can also affect eligibility.
 

How to apply for monthly CalFresh benefits

Students can apply online through BenefitsCal or contact their county social services office for help. California also operates a CalFresh benefits helpline at 1-877-847-3663.

Applicants should be prepared to provide information about their household, income and college enrollment. If approved, benefits are deposited onto an EBT card each month.

The payment isn't a fixed amount for every student. California calculates benefits using factors including household size, countable income and eligible housing or utility expenses.

Campus support programs can help with the process as well. Sacramento State, for example, offers CalFresh application assistance alongside food pantry and basic needs services.

That combination can be important for students facing immediate food insecurity while waiting for longer-term assistance. The biggest change is that being a degree-seeking student at one of California's public higher education systems can now help establish eligibility instead of automatically creating another obstacle.

Students still have to qualify financially. But for many, the path to monthly grocery assistance just became considerably simpler.

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