| Title: |
Broadening the Safety Net: The Impact of Increased CalFresh Access for University of California Students. Abbreviated Working Paper. No. 2025-1 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Gaby Lohner; Johanna Lacoe; Jesse Rothstein; California Policy Lab (CPL) |
| Source: |
California Policy Lab. 2025. |
| Availability: |
California Policy Lab. 2521 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94720. e-mail: info@capolicylab.org; Web site: https://capolicylab.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
15 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
Institute of Education Sciences (ED); Spencer Foundation |
| Contract Number: |
R305A220451 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
College Students; Hunger; Food; State Programs; Eligibility; Barriers; Nutrition; Federal Programs; Welfare Services; Student Characteristics; Geographic Location; Socioeconomic Status |
| Geographic Terms: |
California; California (Los Angeles); California (Santa Barbara); California (Berkeley) |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
| Abstract: |
Forty-three percent of UC undergraduate students and 35% of graduate students reported being food insecure in the 2022-23 academic year (Regents' Special Committee on Student Basic Needs 2024). Food insecure UC students have worse mental health and lower GPAs than their food secure peers (Martinez et. al 2020). Food benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as CalFresh in California) can mitigate food insecurity. However, students are only eligible for benefits if they meet both the income requirements and an "exemption" to the student SNAP rule, such as being approved for work study or receiving Cal Grant aid. It is not clear the extent to which this exemption requirement represents an important barrier to student CalFresh participation. We study this by measuring the impact of a new student exemption, known as Local Programs to Increase Employability (LPIEs), on student CalFresh participation. [This project was made possible through support from the Center for Economic Justice UC Essential Needs Research Grant Program.] |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| IES Funded: |
Yes |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED679436 |
| Database: |
ERIC |