UCLA
Consultation & Response
ECRT Membership Network

Economic Crisis Response Team Draft

The Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) is a multidisciplinary, interdependent network of campus partners dedicated to providing holistic support to students experiencing financial distress.

Our mission is to respond to student financial crises with urgency, compassion, and accountability. By working collaboratively across departments, we ensure that students receive seamless, individualized support—connecting them to the resources they need to overcome immediate challenges and achieve long-term stability and success.

Notices

ECRT Hour Updates and Closures

  • Due to high demand and limited staff capacity, ECRT communications and timelines will be delayed by at least 48 additional business hours until further notice.
  • Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) will be closed on Monday Tuesday November 11, 2025 in observance of University Holiday, Veteran's Day. ECRT will resume operations on Wednesday November 12, 2025.

CalFresh Benefit Delays

Emergency Meal Support For Students Impacted By CalFresh Benefit Delays

This temporary program provides short-term meal assistance for registered UCLA students affected by CalFresh benefit delays. Eligible students may receive: five (5) Dining Hall Swipes or five (5) Meal Vouchers per week.

Dining Hall Swipes

  • Access to on-campus dining halls for prepared meals.
  • Loaded to your Bruin Card and available Sunday breakfast after approval.
  • Valid for one week; expire the following Sunday.
  • Breakfast only (Mon–Fri) and any meal on weekends (except Sunday dinner).

ASUCLA Meal Vouchers

  • Redeemable ONLY at The Market.
  • Physical tickets; pick-up details emailed after approval.
  • Valid for CalFresh-eligible items or meals only.
  • Expire on the date printed on the voucher.

Temporary Meal Support Request Form

If you’ve been impacted by CalFresh benefit delays and need meal assistance, please complete the Temporary Meal Support Request Form and upload a copy or photo of your CalFresh EBT card with your submission. Please ensure that the image displays name clearly and black out card number.

Temporary Meal Support Request Form

Unrelated to CalFresh

Resources & Support

  • Emergency Short-Term Loans
  • Emergency and Basic Needs Grants
  • Emergency Meal Program
  • Emergency Housing
  • Holistic Support and Financial Crisis Case Management

Request Support

Emergency Meal Program (EMP) Request Form

Unexpected Food Insecurity: If you are a registered UCLA student experiencing unexpected crisis and food insecurity.

 ECRT Self-Assessment Form

Unexpected Financial Crisis & Holistic Support: If you are a registered UCLA student experiencing a financial crisis, facing gaps in resources, or have exhausted your financial aid.

Important Before Requesting

Information and consideration before submitting a request.

Financial Aid & Scholarships Office

  • We understand that navigating financial challenges can feel overwhelming, and we’re here to help.
  • All ECRT referrals are reviewed in partnership with the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.
  • If you haven’t yet explored all of your financial aid options (including loans), you may not be eligible for ECRT grant or meal support.
  • To help us respond quickly and connect you with the right resources, please contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office before submitting an ECRT form.

Emergency Meal Program (EMP)

  • The Emergency Meal Program Request Form is currently open for Dining Swipes only.
  • Swipes will be issued for applications received starting October 7, 2025, and will remain available until the donated meal supply is exhausted.
  • Applications submitted before October 7 have been fulfilled with ASUCLA Meal Vouchers.
  • Due to limited supply, exchanges are not possible.
  • A BruinCard is required to redeem electronic meal swipes. If you do not have a BruinCard, please obtain one before applying. Visit the BruinCard website to learn more.
  • Electronic Meal Swipes (loaded onto your BruinCard) may be redeemed at any UCLA Dining facility located on The Hill during any meal period — except food trucks and EPIC at Ackerman. See UCLA Dining Hours for current schedules.
  • To verify available meals on your BruinCard, please visit the Meal Tracking Portal.

About EMP

The Emergency Meal Program (Emp) supports UCLA students experiencing food insecurity and lacking access to regular, nutritious meals. ECRT provides two types of emergency meal support—dining swipes or ASUCLA meal vouchers—based on availability.

All meal swipes are made possible through a limited pool of student donations organized by UCLA Swipe Out Hunger. ASUCLA meal vouchers are made possible through the UCLA Basic Needs Committee and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

As with other ECRT resources, the Emergency Meal Program is designed as a short-term support and should not be used as an alternative to other available resources.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Be an enrolled and registered UCLA student for the current term
  • Indicate food insecurity and lack of regular access to sufficient nourishment
  • Not have an alternative meal source (e.g., dining hall meal plan) or unused financial aid options
  • (Students living on the Hill with a meal plan are not eligible.)

Program Limits

  • FAFSA-eligible students: up to 7 meals per quarter, for a maximum of 3 quarters
  • Students not eligible for federal financial aid: up to 14 meals per quarter, for a maximum of 3 quarters (after participating in the Emergency Meal Program for three quarters, students are encouraged to complete the ECRT Self-Assessment Form for a comprehensive review of their ongoing needs and to explore available long-term support resources).

Emergency Meal Program (EMP) Request Form

How To Connect With Us

  • Message Center - with MyUCLA login
  • Message Center - without MyUCLA login
  • Address:

    555 Westwood Plaza, Strathmore Building Room 106
    Los Angeles, CA 90095

Our Partners

 

Resource Spotlight

Health & Wellbeing and Campus Resource Directory

Be Well Bruin

Staff and Members

Šerifa Dela Cruz, M.A. Chair, Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)

(draft)

Itzel Guerrero Duron, M.Ed. Senior Economic Crisis Coordinator

(draft)

Maggie Boyle, MSW Economic Crisis Case Coordinator

(draft)