CalFresh is a federal and state program that helps individuals and families to buy nutritious
groceries and support their well-being.
CalFresh is California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Previously
called Food Stamps, CalFresh is financial assistance that is received on a monthly
basis to use to purchase grocery items. CalFresh benefits are provided monthly on
an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, also known as an EBT card.
Upcoming CalFresh Events
CalFresh In-Person Application Help
Get in person assistance with CalFresh Applications every second and fourth Tuesday
of the month at the SMC Library. Get your questions answered by Basic Needs staff
and personalized assistance to complete an application in about 30-45 minutes.
Next upcoming date: Tuesday, January 12 3 to 4:30 p.m. SMC Library Room 192
Make sure to bring:
ID (digital copy preferred)
Income from the last 30 days (digital copy preferred)
Future event dates on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month:
January 27
February 10
February 24
March 10
March 24
April 14
April 28
May 12
May 26
Basic Needs Program Eligibility
Our Basic Needs services are open to all SMC students regardless of immigration status,
race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, genetic information, or disability.
We encourage students to make appointments with our counselors who can help determine
the best supports available as every students needs are unique.
What Can I Buy With CalFresh?
Grocery Stores
CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase fresh food from grocery stores including fruits,
vegetables, meats, and food items that have a nutritional label. At checkout, grocery
stores can automatically detect what items can be purchase with CalFresh benefits
using an EBT card.
CalFresh benefits can even be used for online grocery purchases at participating locations (excluding any delivery fees).
Farmer's Markets
CalFresh benefits can be used at participating farmer's markets, where they will
match your usage up to $20 per visit. For example, if you use $20 of CalFresh benefits
they will give you an additional $20 to use at that farmer's market on the same visit.
Los Angeles County has an additional ARP Market Match program that will match $5 to
$40 of CalFresh or WIC benefits at participating locations for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Participating Locations
You can find a listing of stores, markets, and other locations that accept CalFresh
benefits using the SNAP Retailer Locator website. CalFresh is federally known as SNAP, but they are the same program.
Additional Discounts and Benefits
People with active CalFresh/EBT cards also qualify for other benefits such as:
Discounted scooter rentals with companies such as Spin and Lime
Discounted Metrolink train tickets for access to trains all throughout Southern California
Free and discounted museum admission all across the United States through Museums For All
Those receiving CalFresh or Medi-Cal are eligible for the Los Angeles Metro LIFE program which can give up to 20 free metro rides per month.
Enrolled SMC students are also able to utilize the separate GoPass program for unlimited free rides on LA Metro, Big Blue Bus, and partner transportation
services.
Who is Eligible for CalFresh?
Anyone can apply for CalFresh and there is no difference in benefit amounts based
on student status.
To be qualified as a student in the CalFresh program, you must:
Be between the ages of 18-49 years
Are physically and mentally “fit” for employment.
Enrolled at least half-time (6 units or more).
CalFresh Student status also requires the student meet at least one of the following requirements:
Be enrolled in an educational program that has an approved employment and training
component to increase employability for CalFresh.
Learn more about approved Local Programs that Increase Employability (LPIE) in the
CalFresh Approved Major list below.
Be a single parent or guardian of child/children under the age of 12.
Be a part-time student with a child age 6-11 without adequate childcare.
Be awarded or eligible for Federal/State Work Study (per Financial Aid package).
Be awarded Cal Grant A or B (per Financial Aid package).
Be enrolled in CalFresh employment and training or another job training program accepted
by CalFresh; (EOPS, Guardian Scholars, etc.).
Be currently receiving CalWORKS or Medi-Cal benefits.
Be employed or self-employed at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.
These are some general questions to consider before applying for CalFresh:
How many people do you purchase and prepare food with?
Based on your household size, are you under the gross monthly income limit? Please refer to the chart below.
Number of People In Household
Gross Monthly Income Limit
CalFresh Allotment Range
1
$2,610
$24 - $298
2
$3,526
$24 - $546
3
$4,442
$24 - $785
4
$5,360
$24 - $994
5
$6,276
$24 - $1,183
Does your household include at least one US citizen, a person with a Green Card, or
lawful permanent resident (LPR)?
Does anyone in your household receive the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
(FDPIR)?
Is anyone in your household provided less than half (10 or less) meals per week from
another source (like a campus meal plan)? Please note that Santa Monica College does not have any meal plans.
Is anyone in household physically/mentally unable to work and/or is receiving disability
benefits from any source?
Is anyone in household a college student per CalFresh Food guide-lines: enrolled at
least half-time (6 units) and between ages of 18-49? If so, do any of the following
situations apply to you?
Enrolled in an educational program that has an approved employment and training component
to increase employability for CalFresh.
Learn more about approved Local Programs that Increase Employability (LPIE) in the
CalFresh Approved Major list below.
Single parent or guardian of child/children under the age of 12.
A part-time student with a child age 6-11 without adequate childcare.
Awarded or eligible for Federal/State Work Study (per Financial Aid package).
Awarded Cal Grant A or B (per Financial Aid package).
Enrolled in CalFresh employment and training or another job training program accepted
by CalFresh; (EOPS, Guardian Scholars, etc.).
Currently receiving CalWORKS or Medi-Cal benefits.
Employed or self-employed at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.
New applications may take about 30 minutes to complete for a single person, similar
to completing a FAFSA or doing your taxes online.
Applications on the website are available in more than 17 different languages like
English, Spanish, Chinese, and many more!
CalFresh Application Process
Complete an application with verification documents.
Complete a phone interview with a county eligibility worker to verify they have all
the information they need to make a decision.
If approved, you'll receive an EBT card with money for groceries in the mail within
30 days of applying.
What You Will Need to Apply
You will need to provide the following documents to apply for CalFresh:
A copy of your ID.
Proof of any income.
Proof of immigration status (for non-citizens).
Proof of student status (for college students).
The above documents are also required for anyone you live with that you purchase and
prepare food with.
Additional documents may help your application be approved:
Proof of housing expenses.
Proof of child support paid.
Proof of child/dependent care paid.
If you are 60+ or disabled, proof of medical expenses.
If you have difficulties providing some proof, there may be other options that the
eligibility worker may be able to provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find some common questions about CalFresh and their answers here.
If you live with your parents or guardians, and are age 21 or younger, you are required
to include your parents on the application.
If you are age 22 or above living with your parents or guardians and do not purchase
and share food with them, you may be able to apply for CalFresh on your own.
If you live with roommates, you will need to include them on the application if you
purchase and share food with any of them.
The short answer is: it depends.
If a household has at least one person, including children, who is eligible for CalFresh,
then benefits may be approved.
If you are a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR; and also known as green card holders) you may be eligible for CalFresh.
People who have Refugee status, a U-Visa, or a T-Visa may be eligible for CalFresh.
If you are an international student on an F-1 visa, unfortunately you are not likely to be eligible for CalFresh, but there may be other food supports available to you.
Students who are undocumented may not be eligible, but there are other food supports available to you. If you have at least one eligible person in your household, the
household may be approved for CalFresh.
There are many conditions and verifications covering a range of circumstances, but
it is always okay to apply for benefits and let them work with you to cover all those situations.
There is a Restaurant Meals Program in CalFresh that allows people to use their CalFresh benefits at participating restaurants.
Only people under certain circumstances are eligible.
Those conditions are at least one of the following:
an adult aged 60 or older.
a person with a disability.
the spouse of an individual that belongs to one of the above categories.
a person experiencing homelessness.
Contact your CalFresh eligibility worker to report those conditions.
SMC can assist with submitting documents including the SAR7 renewal, submitting verifications,
help with CalFresh interview preparation, and help reapply if necessary.
SMC does not determine eligibility for CalFresh. That is solely done by the county
eligibility office.
Yes! SMC can assist students with submitting verifications and renewals
SMC does not determine eligibility for CalFresh, CalWORKS, General Relief (GR) or
Medi-Cal. That is solely done by the appropriate service's office.
You can contact the LA County Department of Social Services (DPSS) by going to BenefitsCal.com or call their customer service line at 866-613-3777. Assistance at DPSS is available in multiple languages.
SMC Basic Needs staff can answer questions during office hours.
You can contact the LA County Department of Social Services (DPSS) by going to BenefitsCal.com or call their customer service line at 866-613-3777. Assistance at DPSS is available in multiple languages.
CalFresh Application Assistance
If you need assistance, SMC Basic Needs staff can help by answering questions, help
submit documents, or meet with you 1-on-1 in person or online.
Request an appointment or walk-in during office hours in the Student Services Center
(3rd Floor, Room S340 - Student Judicial Affairs Office). You can also email Basic Needs staff or call 310-434-4743 to answer quick questions or other assistance.
Uwill (formerly TBH) is a one-stop virtual platform designed to help SMC students
access personalized basic needs support. Whether you're looking for help on campus,
in your community, or through public benefit programs likeCalFreshorMedi-Cal, Uwill is here to help with personalized and confidential support.
Any enrolled SMC student can utilize Uwill's personalized and confidential supports
and referrals.
Get recommended food, housing, and other basic needs resources based on your individual
needs.
Access to 24/7 support with basic needs and mental health resources.
Set your own 1-on-1 appointments with Basic Needs Counselors.
Complete the benefits screener to tell us what resources you're looking for.
Explore available resources, connect with live support, and book appointments with professional resource navigators.
CalFresh Approved Majors at SMC
Students enrolled in the following majors (listed by Area of Interest) are more likely to be eligible for CalFresh benefits!
The below SMC majors are approved as Local Programs that Increases Employability (LPIEs)
which increase your likelihood of CalFresh eligibility. If need a verification letter
for an upcoming or recently submitted application, you can request a verification letter.
2D Animation
3D Animation
3D Production
Animation
Animation Foundation
Architecture
Architecture and Interior Design Digital Production
Art
Broadcast Programming and Production
Cosmetology
Dance
Digital Audio Post-Production
Digital Media
Digital Media Foundation
Digital Publishing
Digital Video Post-Production
Entertainment Promotion and Marketing Production
Esthetician
Fashion Design
Film Production
Graphic Design
Interior Architectural Design
Interior Architectural Design Fundamentals
Journalism
Music
Nail Care
Photography
Technical Theatre
Theatre
Visual Development
Website Creator
Website Development Management
Website Software Specialist
Accounting
Business Administration
Business Information Specialist
Business Information Worker - Data Analytics Applications
Business Information Worker 1
Business Information Worker 2
Business
Computer Business Applications
CPA Track
Entrepreneurship
Entry Level Business Information Assistant
Fashion Merchandising
General Office
Insurance Professional
Insurance Specialist
International Business
Legal Administrative Assistant
Legal Office Clerk
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management and Leadership
Marketing
Quickbooks Virtual Enterprise
Receptionist
Sales and Promotion
Salon Business
Small Business Tax Practice
Social Media Assistant
Staff Accountant
African and Middle Eastern Studies
Asian Studies
ESL for College and Career Pathways
Ethnic Studies
European Studies
Latin American Studies
Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities
Child and Adolescent Development
Early Childhood Education Master Teacher
Early Childhood Studies
Early Intervention and Special Education Assistant
Elementary Teacher Education
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Nature-based Pedagogy
Transition to College and Career
Transitional Kindergarten
Athletic Coaching
LVN to ADN
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Office Clerk
Nurse Assistant Pre-Certification Training Program
Registered Nursing
Respiratory Care
Administration of Justice
Anthropology
Environmental Studies
Global Studies
Public Policy
Social Justice Studies, Gender Studies
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Cloud Computing
Computer Science
Data Science
Database Applications Developer
Engineering
Environmental Science
General Science
Recycling and Resource Management
Solar Photovoltaic Installation
System Administrator
Web Developer
Advanced English as a Second Language (ESL)
Beginning English as a Second Language (ESL)
ESL for College and Career Pathways
Home Health Aide Pre-Certification Program
Intermediate English as a Second Language (ESL)
Introduction to Working with Older Adults
Low Advanced ESL
Low Intermediate ESL
Nurse Assistance Pre-Certification Training Program
