The COVID relief bill signed into law on December 27, 2020 has expanded eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In California, this federal program is administered as CalFresh, which is interchangeable with SNAP.
The rule changes for SNAP eligibility likely open up these benefits to many more medical students than ever before. To apply, visit GetCalFresh.org.
Up to now, the student eligibility criteria have excluded most medical students from receiving CalFresh benefits, despite meeting the low-income requirements. The specific reason for exclusion is based on the following old (pre-December-COVID relief bill) eligibility requirements:
Based on the December COVID-19 relief bill (page 2321), the eligibility criteria are modified from above:
Access to this aid is huge news for many medical students, particularly those of us who come from low-income backgrounds and do not receive family financial support. An individual can receive up to $234/month for food assistance through CalFresh, based on the expanded benefits. This is, in effect, thousands of dollars per year of additional financial aid—not loans you have to pay back, but a merciful recognition that medical school is hard on its own, and made harder by the financial squeeze so many of us face during our training.
Unfortunately, these rule changes are only temporary. The waived work requirements will be restored 30 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted by the federal government.
Permanent changes to these rules are policy goals that the Anti-Racism Coalition, the UCSD Graduate and Professional Student Association, and the UCSD chapter of the American Medical Student Association have been pushing for since this summer.
While we are encouraged by the government’s recognition that more people than ever are food insecure and deserving of aid, we will continue to advocate for permanent change that guarantees basic needs for all.
The Anti-Racism Coalition will be in contact with the UCSD School of Medicine Financial Aid office to ensure that all students who receive work-study eligibility in their aid package receive clear guidance from the School of Medicine to access these benefits. If you'd like to get in touch with the Anti-Racism Coalition, please email [email protected].
To apply, visit GetCalFresh.org. For additional contacts at the County and State levels, see below.
The rule changes for SNAP eligibility likely open up these benefits to many more medical students than ever before. To apply, visit GetCalFresh.org.
Up to now, the student eligibility criteria have excluded most medical students from receiving CalFresh benefits, despite meeting the low-income requirements. The specific reason for exclusion is based on the following old (pre-December-COVID relief bill) eligibility requirements:
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time, and
- Students must be eligible for federal- or state-funded work-study program and participate in a work-study job, or
- Students must work 20 hours a week in a non-work-study program.
- The School of Medicine has students sign an agreement upon matriculating stating that we agree not to work while enrolled in medical school. This agreement—in addition to the rigors of medical school which, aside from any agreement, prevent us from seeking significant gainful employment in most cases—prevents us from meeting all the eligibility requirements, and thus not receiving benefits.
- There are other, special eligibility exceptions which would qualify a student. For example: being a full-time student with a child under 12-years-old.
Based on the December COVID-19 relief bill (page 2321), the eligibility criteria are modified from above:
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time, and
- Students must be eligible for federal- or state-funded work-study program and participate in a work-study job [red text no longer applies]
- Instead of being eligible and working the work-study job, we simply need to be offered a work-study position. This means anyone who applied for financial aid and was offered work-study eligibility can qualify for CalFresh benefits.
Access to this aid is huge news for many medical students, particularly those of us who come from low-income backgrounds and do not receive family financial support. An individual can receive up to $234/month for food assistance through CalFresh, based on the expanded benefits. This is, in effect, thousands of dollars per year of additional financial aid—not loans you have to pay back, but a merciful recognition that medical school is hard on its own, and made harder by the financial squeeze so many of us face during our training.
Unfortunately, these rule changes are only temporary. The waived work requirements will be restored 30 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted by the federal government.
Permanent changes to these rules are policy goals that the Anti-Racism Coalition, the UCSD Graduate and Professional Student Association, and the UCSD chapter of the American Medical Student Association have been pushing for since this summer.
While we are encouraged by the government’s recognition that more people than ever are food insecure and deserving of aid, we will continue to advocate for permanent change that guarantees basic needs for all.
The Anti-Racism Coalition will be in contact with the UCSD School of Medicine Financial Aid office to ensure that all students who receive work-study eligibility in their aid package receive clear guidance from the School of Medicine to access these benefits. If you'd like to get in touch with the Anti-Racism Coalition, please email [email protected].
To apply, visit GetCalFresh.org. For additional contacts at the County and State levels, see below.
- SD County HHS Department Customer Service
- 866-262-9881
- Push 1 for English, 2 to speak to a rep
- CA Department of Social Services, Director’s Office
- 916-657-2598
- CA Department of Social Services, Public Inquiry and Response (PIAR)
- 916-651-8848
- Press 4