Community Resources and Public Benefits

Learn about community resources and public benefits that students with dependents may be eligible for.

• 2-1-1 San Diego: Regional Resource Information

  2-1-1 San Diego is a centralized resource directory for food, housing, utilities, and other financial assistance. Here, you can find links to enroll in CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and for rental and housing relief, free tax filing, and other general assistance.

   

  Public Benefits and Programs

  • CalFresh: helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.
    • UCSD Basic Needs Hub assists with CalFresh questions and applications.
    • SUN Bucks (summer EBT program for children): children of parents enrolled in Cal Fresh receive summer EBT cards to assist with food security. Be sure to keep the family’s address on file current, to prevent delays receiving the SUN Bucks EBT card.
  • Medi-Cal: State and federal-funded care available to income-qualifying individuals and dependents. Applications can be made through BenefitsCal or Covered California (see below)
  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program:
    • WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women who are pregnant and/or have infants, and children under 5 years old. "WIC helps families by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, vouchers for healthy foods, and referrals to healthcare and other community services."
    • Eligibility
  • Covered California
    • California’s state health insurance exchange offers a range of health plans, so you can choose one that best meets your financial and health needs. Visit here to apply.
  • CalWORKs
    • "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."

   

  Employment and Income Assistance

  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): available through American Job Centers, this program offers job search assistance, resume building, educational opportunities, and job placement services. Find your local American Job Center here.
  • Unemployment Benefits (Off-campus jobs): If you've lost wages due to job loss, disability, family leave or other reasons, learn how to file a benefits claim at California Employment Development Department
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): this federal program through the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides monthly financial assistance to low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or 65 years of age or older. To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit the SSI website, your local Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213.
    • Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE): as of 2025, this program lets students keep the first $2,350 in earnings each month without affecting the countable earned income calculation. There is an annual cap of $9,460, above which the income starts counting towards the SSI earned income calculation.

   

  Other Financial Resources

  As we become aware of other levels of aid available in the surrounding community, we will provide them below.

  • San Diego County: General Relief
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households manage their energy costs by providing a one-time payment to assist with heating or cooling bills. In addition, LIHEAP offers in-home weatherization services to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the health and safety of your home. To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit the LIHEAP website.

   

  Housing, Shelter and Safe Parking

  • Basic Needs Hub's Off-Campus Housing Resources: Search for roommates, local rooms for rent, apartments and many other off-campus housing related information
  • Public Housing Authority: find your local office by name or zip code to apply for Section 8 housing vouchers and other housing assistance
  • Home Start: Community-based program that provides housing options for 18–24-year-olds transitioning out of foster care, including permanent housing support programs and maternity shelter for pregnant and/or parenting people.
  • Crisis House: “Crisis House provides humanitarian services to those in crisis in East San Diego County. The individuals we support struggle to overcome complex and challenging circumstances, including homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, health conditions, and lack of access to food and housing.”
  • Rachel’s Women Center: shelter for women and children
  • Jewish Family Services Safe Parking
  • Dreams For Change Safe Parking

   

  Note: The information above is from the links provided for each program as an informational resource for UCSD student-parents. Please refer to each individual agency for application procedures and eligibility.