Basic Needs Resources

Learn about the Basic Needs Center's resources available to Students with Dependents.

UC San Diego has taken strategic action to ensure students have access to a variety of resources to meet their Basic Needs. You can find all information and resources available to all students at the Basic Needs website.

However, for your convenience, we have placed a few resources below that may be of specific assistance to Students with Dependents. 

• The Hub Basic Needs Center
  • The Hub Basic Needs Center Online Assistance Forms
    • CalFresh Assistance Form
    • Personal Hygiene Product Form
  • Personal Hygiene Product Form: Order online and pick up by appointment at The Hub Basic Needs Center.
    • CalFresh Food Benefits
      • Student fill out CalFresh Assistance Form or email calfresh@ucsd.edu for questions.
        • Nutrition Tool-kit – How to eat healthy on $50 per week!
  • Grocery Shuttle
    • Saturdays and Sundays 10am-6pm
    • From Mandeville Loop to 4 Stops in Balboa/Convoy Area
    • Shuttle service to La Jolla Village Square and Convoy from The Village, Pepper Canyon for both graduate and undergraduate students
  • Affordable Grocery Store Map
    • Grocery Store Restocking Schedule
  • Food Recovery – Grad and Family Housing
    • The Food Recovery Network, Basic Needs, and the Graduate Student Association have partnered to distribute ready to go meals at OMS two days a week. The Food Recovery Network recovers food from 64 degrees in order to decrease food waste and combat food security challenges. The recovered meals will then be distributed at OMS.
    • See website for ongoing updates or email frn@ucsd.edu for questions.
  • Off-Campus Housing Website
    • Students can search for roommates, local rooms for rent, apartments and many other off-campus housing related information
• San Diego Region Resources: 211 San Diego
  • Check in with your utility and internet service providers for discounts for college students due to COVID-19.
  • If you have lost wages due to an off campus job check with Employment Development Department.
  • If you have lost wages due to an on campus job please check in with your Human Resources department or Supervisor to inquire about Administrative Leave Pay.
• UC System Basic Needs Related Websites
  • If you are currently living near another UC campus we have reciprocity among our basic needs efforts where you can connect with them for non-monetary resources such as emergency food from their pantries or CalFresh application support from their CalFresh team.  
    • UCSD: http://basicneeds.ucsd.edu/
    • UCB: http://basicneeds.berkeley.edu/
    • UCLA: https://www.basicneeds.ucla.edu/
    • UCSC: https://basicneeds.ucsc.edu/
    • UCI: http://basicneeds.uci.edu/
    • UCD: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/basic-needs
    • UCSB: http://food.ucsb.edu/about
    • UCM: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/
    • UCSF: https://basicneeds.ucsf.edu/
    • UCR: https://basicneeds.ucr.edu/

California financial and nutrition resource programs

Information below is quoted directly from the links provided for each program as an informational resource for UCSD student with dependents. Please refer to each individual agency for application procedures and eligibility.

• "The CalWorks program provides temporary financial assistance and employment focused services to families with minor children who have income and property below State maximum limits for their family size."
• "The CalFresh program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs."
  • The link above is the general website regarding CalFresh. However, if you'd like to connect with a UCSD Staff Member that can assist you with CalFresh, please fill out the  CalFresh Assistance Form.
• "WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children. "WIC helps families by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, vouchers for healthy foods, and referrals to healthcare and other community services."