CalFresh Food & Healthy Living Programming
If you want food aid or nutrition education, CalFresh has you covered! Our CalFresh Outreach student Advocates can personally guide potentially eligible students through the whole application process. Students who get assisted are more likely to get approved for CalFresh Food benefits, versus students who attempt the application on their own. We also offer nutrition education sessions like shopping on a budget, planning healthy meals, or rethink your drink! Sessions are led by CalFresh Healthy Living peer educators and are open to all pantry visitors.
CalFresh Outreach
The CSUN CalFresh Outreach team supports their peers in determining potential eligibility and applying for the federally-funded nutrition assistance program, CalFresh. CSUN students who apply can be approved for up to $150 in food benefits every month! Book an appointment online with our CalFresh Outreach You Can Book Me scheduler for one-on-one assistance, or apply at home with our unique CSUN URL at GetCalFresh.org. Rest assured, either way our team is here to support you throughout the process. Send us an email to calfreshcsun1@gmail.com or connect with us @csuncalfresh on Instagram and Facebook!
CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need. CalFresh dollars help stretch a tight food budget and help many people afford to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into their diets.
CalFresh is the name of the USDA-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the state of California. Recipients receive and “spend” CalFresh benefits electronically, via personal Golden State Advantage electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards that look just like any other credit or debit cards.
The CalFresh Outreach program is funded through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and is implemented in partnership with county social services offices. It assists individuals through the entire CalFresh application process, including assistance with the application itself, obtaining verification documents, navigating the 30-day application period, and the renewal process.
What the CalFresh Outreach Program can help you with:
- Eligibility Prescreen
- Application Assistance
- Required Verifications
- Interview Preparation
- Recertification
- Troubleshooting
Currently, all appointments are via phone, Zoom, or in person with one of our CalFresh Outreach Advocates. To book an appointment, select the CalFresh CSUN YouCanBookMe profile, choose your appointment type, then choose an available time from the synced calendar.
Step 1: Contact your CalFresh Outreach Advocate and complete the application prescreen.
Step 2: If you think you may be eligible, complete and submit an application with your CalFresh Outreach Advocate.
Step 3: Once the application is received by the county, your 30-day application period begins
Step 4: During this 30-day period, you will need to do the following:
Complete your INTERVIEW with the county office by phone or in person. (The county office will either call from a blocked number or snail-mail you a date and time for your interview.)
Let your CalFresh Outreach Advocate know if you have not heard from the county within the first 7 days
Step 5: You will then be required to provide verification documents to your county office. This must also be completed during the 30-day period. Your application will not be approved if you do not submit verification documents that meet their requirements. Examples of verification documentation include:
- Proof of Identification/ Copy of ID
- Proof of residency (mail with current address)
- Housing and Utility costs
- Pay stubs if employed
- Documentation of both earned and unearned income
- Financial aid award letter and course schedule/ proof of units
- Meal plan contract (if applicable)
Step 6: In order to keep your CalFresh benefits, you will be required to do the following:
Complete a Semiannual Report (called a SAR 7 Eligibility Report) 6 months after your initial application is approved. The County will let you know when this is due.
Complete a Recertification Application and be interviewed before the end of your certification period. The County will let you know when your Recertification Application is due and will send you a letter confirming the time and date of your interview. Most interviews will be conducted over the phone.
Participating CSUN locations that accept EBT for payment of eligible food items include:
- Matador Mercado at Housing
- Associated Students Tuesday Farmers Market
CalFresh Healthy Living on Campus
CSUN CalFresh Healthy Living on Campus supports a healthy, active, and nourished lifestyle through direct and indirect nutrition education tailored for our college student population. We invite our campus community to join us for free workshops wherein we discuss topics such as how to: read a nutritional label, shop on a budget, build a healthy plate, and many more! Follow us on social media for nutrition information, healthy recipes, and other fun extras, including our new group workshops on Instagram @calfreshhealthylivingatcsun. Contact us via email at csun.cfhl@gmail.com or book a workshop online for yourself or friends with our CalFresh Healthy Living You Can Book Me scheduler.