No, CalFresh (federally known as SNAP) is a free public program that provides a monthly cash grant for groceries. California Fresh Market is a separate grocery store near Cal Poly. CalFresh gives students the flexibility to buy the foods they love at their favorite grocery stores or farmers’ markets (Trader Joe’s, Costco, Vons, Food 4 Less, the SLO downtown Farmers’ Market and of course, California Fresh Market!)

No. There is no limit to how many people or families get support. If you qualify, you can (should!) participate. Using CalFresh also generates local economic activity, so you’re helping everyone.

No. Applying for CalFresh is free. Receiving benefits is free. This is a public program.

The amount of money that you receive depends on your household size, income, rent, and utilities. In many cases, full-time college students qualify for the maximum amount of $298 per month (as of October 2025), and the average Cal Poly CalFresh participant receives $271 per month.

No, you will not have to pay back benefits you were eligible to receive. 

In the unlikely case you fail to report a required change of income, you may be issued benefits that you would not qualify for; this scenario results in over issuance. This is not common, but if you find yourself in this situation, please contact our team ASAP for support. 

Per federal regulation, CalFresh applicants may qualify if their meal plan provides fewer than half of their weekly meals (defined as 10 meals per week). In collaboration with the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services each year, Cal Poly Outreach conducts a cost analysis to determine average meal costs and whether specific meal plans meet this criterion. Because meal plans change annually, related guidance may also change.

For Academic Year 2026–2027, freshmen with the First-Year Limited meal plan may qualify for CalFresh. Freshmen on the First-Year Plus or First-Year Max meal plans are not eligible.

Take this short eligibility screener to find out.

Per federal regulation, CalFresh applicants may qualify if their meal plan provides fewer than half of their weekly meals (defined as 10 meals per week). In collaboration with the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services each year, Cal Poly Outreach conducts a cost analysis to determine average meal costs and whether specific meal plans meet this criterion. Because meal plans change annually, related guidance may also change.

For Academic Year 2026-2027, you may be eligible with the following meal plans: First-Year Limited, Poly 5500 (off-campus residents only), Poly 2350, Poly 1600, Poly 1100, Poly 550, or Poly 275. Students on First-Year Plus, Max, and Resident Advisor (RA) plans are not eligible. 

Unfortunately, no. Undocumented individuals, including DACA, Dreamer, and AB-540 students are not eligible for CalFresh because due to federal guidelines. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) does not share information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Applying for or receiving CalFresh benefits does not count against you in a public charge determination. Cal Poly offers many free food resources for students who may not qualify for CalFresh. Click here for more information and support.

No. Student, work, and tourist visa holders are not eligible for CalFresh.

The information you share is only used to see if your household qualifies for CalFresh. Departments of Social Services do not share information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

We offer one-on-one application assistance, to book an appointment click here.

You can also apply on your own, click here to get started! We recommend using the checklist, located on our home page, as a starting point before initiating the application process. 

You can qualify for CalFresh even if you do not have a home, mailing address, or place to cook. People experiencing homelessness may receive CalFresh within 3 days of applying (expedited processing). When asked about housing in your application, explain your current living situation.  

Students in need of immediate housing should complete the Cal Poly Cares Grant Application and email studentsuccess@calpoly.edu for support. 

You should only apply with your roommates as a household if you buy, share, and prepare all of your food together. If you share a few items like bread, eggs and milk, you can apply on your own and not with your roommates. Most students apply as a “Household of 1”.

Log in to your BenefitsCal account here.

Once your application is submitted, processing can take up to 30 days. During this 30 day period, you will need to submit verification documents. Most applicants can also expect a phone interview within 2 weeks of applying. Do not miss your phone interview! The purpose of the phone interview is to verify the information on your application, and it is typically only a few minutes. If your application is approved, you will receive several documents in the mail, including your EBT card (your EBT PIN number will come in a separate letter).

The San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services.

Up to 30 days after submitting your application.

First, try to call the person from SLO Department of Social Services who has been assigned your application file (known as a caseworker). If you don’t know their number, you can call the general SLO Department of Social Services number at 805.781.1600. Or contact us and we will help you: calfresh@calpoly.edu

You can contact the Department of Social Services to inquire about your application status.

Business hours for all locations: M-F 8 am – 5 pm

Atascadero Office: (805) 461-6000

Paso Robles Office: (805) 237-3100

Morro Bay Office: (805) 772-6405

San Luis Obispo Office: (805) 781-1600

Arroyo Grande Office: (805) 474-2000

Nipomo Office: (805) 931-1800

Remember that Cal Poly offers many free food resources for all students.

You can also appeal the outcome up to 30 days after your denial. Please contact us to help with this process: calfresh@calpoly.edu.

Your EBT card works exactly like a debit card. You can use it at most grocery stores, convenience stores, and many farmers’ markets. Farmers’ markets often have Market Match programs that double your dollars!

All grocery stores, most convenience stores, some farmers’ markets, and all on-campus market locations (Campus Market, Village Market, UU Market, and Vista Grande Market) accept EBT. Use this link to locate SNAP retailers near you.

Benefits are issued based on the last digit of your case number. For example, if your case number ends in the number “5,” your benefits are available on the 5th day of each month. Your case number appears on all written communications from the Department of Social Services.

You can purchase any food items, with some exceptions.

CalFresh may not be used to purchase:

-Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

-Food that will be eaten in store

-Hot foods

You cannot purchase non-food items, such as:

-Pet foods

-Personal hygiene or household supplies

-Vitamins and medicines

Yes. CalFresh benefits may be used to buy food online at Albertsons, selected stores via Instacart, Amazon, Safeway, Target, Von’s, and Walmart. You will be able to order food online that you would normally buy with your EBT card in-person and select home delivery (only at participating stores) or pick up option at participating locations. CalFresh does not cover the cost of delivery.

Allowed:

General Groceries, most items with a nutrition label, Poly Fresh Grab ‘n’ Go, packaged produce, loose produce, bulk items, Cal Poly food products, local food products, coffee and tea, frozen meals

Not allowed:

Hot food items, sushi, soda fountain, 5-hour energy drink, medicine, vitamins, personal care items, non-food items, houseware, plants

Market Match is a healthy food incentive program that gives you more money to spend with your CalFresh benefits at participating (not all) farmers’ markets.

Step 1. Find the farmers’ market information booth or market manager

Step 2. Swipe your EBT card to get market match tokens to spend (1 EBT dollar gives you 2 tokens to spend)

Step 3. Spend your EBT tokens with participating vendors in the market

The EBT card will work at any store or ATM that displays the Quest® symbol in California and the other 49 states in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. If you do not see the Quest® symbol, look for a sign that displays EBT, SNAP, or Food Stamps. If you are unsure, ask the store manager. Currently, California EBT cardholders cannot use their EBT cards in Puerto Rico.

Call 1-877-328-9677 to report your EBT card lost or stolen.

You need to verify your continued eligibility every 6 months by submitting a Semi-Annual Report (SAR-7). Five months after submitting your CalFresh application you will receive a reminder to complete your SAR-7 within 30 days. If you do not submit your SAR-7 your benefits will be discontinued. You can either submit SAR-7 electronically via your BenefitsCal account or return your completed SAR-7 form via mail.

It may be because you forgot to submit your Semi-Annual Report (SAR-7), which is required every 6 months to continue receiving benefits. Call your caseworker to check on your status. You can submit SAR-7 documents to verify your continued eligibility via your BenefitsCal account.