UCLA students are relieved that CalFresh benefits will continue, amid the threat of food stamp suspension that was originally reported Nov. 1.
As of Oct. 10, a statement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture was released, which revealed that funds will be withheld on the claim of potential insufficiency. More reports have also described this incident as being “unexplained,” highlighting the confusion of such decisions. Additionally, a discrepancy is noted in this reasoning for a savings fund consisting of $6 billion, and a Section 32 fund could be utilized to continue operations. Many external parties have raised their dissenting opinion on what is currently in process. Of these, a statement by the U.S. Court District of Massachusetts has stated their dismay. To trump this, 25 states and the District of Columbia have resulted in suing the administration.
The implicating concern was that the cuts were going to affect UCLA students who are receiving assistance from CalFresh. CalFresh is a federally funded organization that provides a food resource benefit program for those eligible at California universities. With growing popularity, its presence on campus has been expanding, which is seen as the Hill Top Shop marked another location accepting CalFresh benefit payment options in April 2025. With new outlets of accessibility, it is no surprise that the amount of student users has surged. This is evident as UC Berkeley conducted a study where evidence revealed that out of five students, one has participated in the program.
At UCLA, students can apply and be given a budget up to $292 a month for food and grocery purchases. Electronic benefit transfer cards are used in the transaction of each purchase. These cards may be used at certain farmers markets, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Ralphs. The application process to get benefits is rigorous and highly selective. The criteria consider an applicant’s income, monthly expenses and household size. With the given difficulties of accessing this aid already, it is unimaginable how withholding funds will affect those in need.
Heldana Desta, a third-year studying political science, said, “I have no idea what else would be as sufficient as CalFresh, so I don’t really know where I would go.”
The neglect of students currently receiving CalFresh benefits forces them to seek alternate solutions. In addition to the CalFresh program, UCLA also runs the Economic Crisis Response Team, or ECRT. ECRT provides assistance to those in precarious conditions. Unlike CalFresh, it is not explicitly used as a constant source of aid for food security, and it is also not federally funded. The decimation of EBT cards will presumably create a surge of attraction toward ECRT assistance. With this influx of students, ECRT will most likely not be able to match and sustain support for these groups. Therefore, not only will organizations such as CalFresh be affected, but sister supporting organizations such as ECRT would be as well. USDA allowed for a partial resumption of payments for food stamp programs to proceed. However, since the original halt, it is uncertain when EBT cards could get reloaded.
Reggie Kumar, associate director of media relations for UCLA strategic communications, said, “Despite uncertainty about CalFresh benefits during the government shutdown, all eligible UCLA students who applied for Economic Crisis Response Team resources received assistance.”
This reassurance grants a sense of freedom to all involved. Originally, cuts of 50% were supposed to be implemented, but a consensus was reached, reflecting that the maximum that can be enforced is cuts of 35%. On Nov. 7, it was stated that the full amount would be restored and funding would continue.
Desta, who utilizes CalFresh benefits, said the only notification she received was “a text about a delay, it did not guarantee funds to be postponed but the potential is there because of the government shutdown.”
This notification reflects the uncertainty of whether the funds will meet the usual time frame they adhere to, although with funds restored, it is ensured that people will not have to worry anymore.
Desta said, “CalFresh makes a big impact on my life and lifts a large weight off my shoulders.”
__
Featured Image Photographed by Aaron Fu/BruinLife
