Basic Needs strives to increase resources to help eradicate food insecurity for our CSUCI community. Food insecurity is defined as the difficulty or lack of reliable access to enough nutritious food to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It encompasses not just hunger, but also the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding food access and affordability.
We work with multiple partners to provide our Dolphin Pantry, support with CalFresh applications, hot meals through our Island's Kitchen, facilitation of the Ekho Bites program and more.
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CalFresh is the name of the USDA-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the state of California and connects eligible students with up to $292 each month to use at participating grocery stores and farmers markets. Recipients access their CalFresh benefits using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. You can use your EBT card at the Sea Store in the Student Union.
Basic Needs student assistants are here to support CSUCI students through the CalFresh process. This includes pre-screening for eligibility, application and document verification submission, on campus and off-campus referrals, and facilitation with county case related communication.
As of June 1, 2026 there are two new updates to CalFresh eligibility.
- You may have to work or participate in a community engagement activity to keep getting CalFresh if you are between the ages of 18 and 64 and do not have a disability. This new requirement is called the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rule. To find out if you may be excused from this requirement, please use the CalFresh Work and Community Engagement Rules: Prescreen Tool OR use the Student Eligibility Pre-screen form. CalFresh Eligibility Information (PDF, 3.8 MB)
- If you’re enrolled at a California Community College, California State University or University of California then your associate or bachelor’s degree program helps you qualify for CalFresh. See the full list of approved Local Programs Increase Employability (LPIE’s) by going to the CDSS website.
There are two ways to apply, on your own or with a basic needs team member (preferred).
If you are applying on your own, please review the CalFresh prescreen sheet to determine your eligibility. CalFresh Eligibility Information (PDF, 3.8 MB)
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Step 1: Submit a CalFresh application by applying at benefitscal.com. While the application is available online, we strongly encourage you to apply with our team. We are familiar with the process and can help you complete the application faster and more accurately.
Please note that the application submission may take up to 45 minutes to complete. Once the application is submitted, your 30-day application period begins.
You will be required to provide verification documents to your county office. This must also be completed during the 30-day period. Your application will not be approved if you do not submit verification documents that meet their requirements. Below are the most commonly required documents.
- Copy of Identification (driver’s license, birth certificate, or U.S. Passport)
- You will also need to know your Social Security number for the application (if you have one)
- Class schedule
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- Go to myci, click on CIRecords
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- Look for “unofficial transcripts” (on the left side of your screen if on a computer) and download the PDF file
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- OR check in CIRecords by clicking on schedule, and it should display a calander with your classes for the week.
- Pay Stub(s) from the past 30 days
- Financial Aid Letter
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- Go to myci, click on CIRecords
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- Look for financials (on the left side of your screen if on a computer) and look for “view financial aid”. Should take you to a page where you see how much you were offered for the academic year
- Meal Plan (only required for students living in on-campus housing)
- Rent/mortgage (bill with date on it will suffice)
Step 2: Within 30 days of submitting your application, you will be required to complete a phone interview with a representative from the Ventura County Department of Social Services. During this time, you will need to submit verification documents. These may include proof of income, housing costs, and other necessary paperwork to confirm your eligibility.
- The county will mail you several documents with information about your case. A notice with the date and time of your scheduled interview as well as the name and direct number of your case worker will be included. You can also view your interview date in your benefitsCal dashboard.
- Don’t miss the call! Pick up the phone to unknown numbers for the next several days as it might be the Department of Social Services. If you do miss the interview, call the Department of Social Services right away and speak with your case worker about rescheduling the appointment, leave your first and last name with the best phone number to reach you.
- If you don’t hear back from the County within 10 days of submitting your application, please reach out to the CalFresh Team by emailing basicneeds@csuci.edu so we can help you follow up.
Step 3: Once approved, you will need to routinely submit reports to keep your benefits. Do not miss these! You will need to submit a Semiannual Report, called a SAR 7 Eligibility Report, 6 months after your initial application is approved. The County will let you know when this is due through mail and on your benefitsCal dashboard.
You will also need to complete a Recertification Application and be interviewed before the end of your certification period. The County will let you know when your Recertification Application is due through mail and on your benefitsCal dashboard and will send you a letter confirming the time and date of your interview. Most interviews will be conducted over the phone. If you do not submit your recertification on time, you will lose your benefits and will need to reapply again.
SAR 7 DOCUMENTATION:
- Earned/Unearned income
- Financial Aid/Work Study Award
- Proof of Enrollment or Course Registration
- Meal Plan Contract (if applicable)
- Housing and Utility Costs
If you prefer applying with assistance of a basic needs student staff, stop by our drop-in hours (Fall 2027 CalFresh Drop-In Hours will be posted in mid August).
If you cannot make these hours, please email us at basicneeds@csuci.edu to request a zoom meeting. The Basic Needs Program is here to support you!
For a full list of resources, please visit https://benefitscal.com/studentcenter/home
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The CSU Channel Islands Dolphin Pantry exists to provide immediate food, toiletries and basic necessities at no cost to students in need. The goal of the Dolphin Pantry is to decrease the impact that food and hygiene insecurities have on the academic success of students and to alleviate hunger within our student community. The Dolphin Pantry is located in Arroyo Hall room 115. The pantry will be open during Spring break, March 16 - 20, but on a limited schedule. Our hours will be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 1 - 3 PM. Thursday and Friday by appointment only.
Summer 2026 Dolphin Pantry Hours (May 26 - August 19)- Monday: 1 to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 1 to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1 to 4 p.m.
- Thursday: By appointment only*
- Friday: By appointment only*
*Same day appointments are not guaranteed. Please schedule in advance by emailing basicneeds@csuci.edu
Donations to the Dolphin Pantry are being accepted, please email basicneeds@csuci.edu to coordinate the donation.
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The Basic Needs Program has dining cards loaded with two or more meals for Islands Café. These cards are available for students to provide access to hot meals. If you are experiencing food insecurity and lack access to a kitchen, or if you encounter a student that may be in need of a hot meal, please complete a self-referral form, community referral form (found on our landing page), or email basicneeds@csuci.edu so we can assess what resources we can offer and provide one or more hot meal cards to those eligible.
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The Basic Needs Program offers nutrition education and basic cooking skills workshops on campus to CI students. Programming efforts from the Healthy Living Program include Harvest of the Month Farmer's Markets, Action Days such as Rethink your Drink or Healthy Snack Day, and in person or virtual cooking classes where students learn to prepare one or more recipes and then get to enjoy the items they have prepared. Past workshops have included microwave cooking, blender cooking, safe cooking temperatures for meat, and more. The Healthy Living Program also collaborates with campus partners on the campus garden and Ekho Bites Food Alert Program. To request a Healthy Living workshop for your class or group, please email Basic Needs at basicneeds@csuci.edu.
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CI students can access prepared food left over from campus events and activities via the Ekho Bites Food Alert Program. To sign up, download the goCI app from the App Store or the Play Store.
- Once you have downloaded the goCI app, open it and log in to your student account.
- From the front page select "More Services" and then select Ekho Bites from the drop down menu.
- A new page will open, describing the Ekho Bites Food Alert Program.
- Read the description and then select either “About Opting in” for more information or “Opt in to Ekho Bites”.
- A new page will open with a short description of the Ekho Bites Food Alert Program and a plus (+) sign on the right of the page. Select the plus sign to complete the opt in process.
- That’s it! You are now signed up to receive push notifications regarding prepared food left over from campus events and activities.
- To opt out of Ekho Bites Food Alerts, return to the page with the plus (+) sign following the above steps. You will see a minus (-) sign next to the program description. Select the minus sign to complete the opt out process.
All students, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, who are interested in Basic Needs resources are welcome.
Additional Resources
Local Food Pantry – Find a Pantry
Farmers’ Markets – Find a Market
Free Recipe Book – Good and Cheap (PDF, 7MB)
For additional information, please contact the Dolphin Pantry at 805-437-2067 or basicneeds@csuci.edu.