CalFresh

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 7, 2025

Multiple courts ruled during the week of Nov. 3, 2025 that the USDA must release SNAP (CalFresh) benefits, and Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed on Nov. 6 that benefits in California are being restored.

• Counties have started notifying clients.
• Households should be seeing their November benefits available on their EBT cards.
• Benefits are being distributed on their normal issuance date, and households should check their EBT cards frequently for deposits over the next few days. Distributions may still take time to reach everyone. 
• Households can check their EBT balance at ebt.ca.gov, by calling 1-877-328-9677 (toll-free EBT Customer Service), or through the ebtEDGE app. 
• Please keep in mind that this update applies to California and may not reflect what is happening in other states.

For additional information on food resources during the government shutdown, visit: https://211sandiego.org/government-shutdown-food-resources for San Diego County and Imperial County

Frequently Asked Questions are on the CDSS website for CalFresh: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/benefits-services/food-nutrition-services/calfresh/calfresh-frequently-asked-questions 

If you have any questions, email [email protected]. 

What is CalFresh?

CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) is a federally mandated, state-supervised, and county-operated government entitlement program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. In general, these benefits are for any food or food product intended for human consumption and can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. If you are finding it difficult to afford the nutritious food that you and your family needs, the CalFresh Program may be able to help you. The amount of benefits you can receive is dependent on your family size, countable income and monthly expenses such as housing, utilities and so forth.

All U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident children may qualify to receive CalFresh benefits, regardless of where the parents were born. Parents may also qualify for benefits if all other program guidelines are met. Individuals with no children also may qualify.

The program issues monthly benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. These benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which looks like any other credit card. Benefits may not be used for items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes or paper products.

How do you qualify?

There are certain eligibility requirements for students enrolling in CalFresh. It can sometimes be challenging to navigate the application process for students, and we encourage SDSU students who may be eligible for CalFresh to connect with our CalFresh Enrollment Specialists who can determine your eligibility and help you through the entire application process. Typically students must remain under the income limit for their household, be a citizen or legal permanent resident, provide food for themselves and meet one of the qualifying criteria including:

• Work at least 20 hours per week
• TANF Funded Cal Grant A or B recipient
• Student worker on campus regardless of hours worked
• EOPOS Student
• Enrolled in a Local Program that Increases Employability (LPIE)

Additionally, student parents and students with registered disabilities have separate ways in which they may qualify. 
*Students on Flex 5 and lower meal plans may also qualify for CalFresh benefits on top of their meal plan.

Support at the SDSU Basic Needs Center

Students can receive assistance with enrolling in and recertifying their CalFresh benefits by visiting the Basic Needs Center in the Capulli Center on the third floor in suite #3200 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a drop-in basis.