UCLA
Consultation & Response

Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)

ECRT Membership Network

NOTICE - FALL 2026: ECRT is currently experiencing a increased volume of traffic. Due to this increased volume and limited staff capacity, ECRT turnaround for outreach is now 4-5 business days from initial inquiry (self-assessment form submission, email, etc.).

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.

ECRT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES:

  • Emergency Short-Term Loans
  • Emergency and Basic Needs Grants
  • Emergency Meal Program
  • Holistic Support and Financial Crisis Case Management
  • Emergency Housing
    • ECRT Emergency Housing provides temporary, immediate housing for students at risk of homelessness or facing unsafe and unstable living conditions. This program is designed to ensure that students who are experiencing crises such as eviction, unsafe housing situations, domestic violence, or other factors that threaten their ability to maintain stable housing can access a safe, supportive environment while they work to secure long-term housing solutions.

    • Eligibility Criteria

      To determine eligibility, students need to have completed ECRT Self – Assessment Intake form and meet the following criteria:

      Emergency Housing is coordinated in collaboration with Housing. Student must meet ALL Housing and School Code of Conduct Requirements

      Must be an enrolled and registered student at the University of California, Los Angeles; in current or future term, (if not currently enrolled and registered, student must have been registered in the prior term).

      Report an urgent need for shelter (i.e. safety, homelessness, couch surfing, hazardous living environment

      Have no holds preventing access to university owned housing or campus access.

    • Students in need of Emergency Housing should submit a request to ecr@saonet.ucla.edu

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT:

Be Well Bruin: Health & Wellbeing and Campus Resource Directory

NOTICES:

  • TheEMERGENCY MEAL PROGRAM for FALL 2026 is now OPEN!
  • Swipes will be automatically assigned to approved applications. If you would like to access ASUCLA meal tickets instead for the quarter, please send a message to ECRT via Message Center or email.
  • SWIPES issued in FALL 2026 term expire on Thursday December 10, 2026 after the dinner meal period. If a student does not use at least 1 of the meals issued for FALL 2026, student will be disqualified form meals for WINTER 2027 if eligibility remains.

HOW TO REQUEST SUPPORT:

Emergency Meal Program (EMP) Request

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

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.

ECRT Student Support Lounge

Have questions before submitting a request? Connect with one of student ECRT Student Support Ambassadors during ECRT Student Support Lounge Hours on Zoom:

Fall 2026 Hours: Effective October 12, 2026

  • Monday: 1pm-2pm
  • Thursday: 1:30pm-2:30pm

If you have already submitted an ECRT self-assessment form, please allow 4-5 business days for outreach.

CONNECT WITH US ON Message Center - with MyUCLA login

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION BEFORE SUBMITTING A REQUEST:

  • 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):

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION

  • The Emergency Meal Program Request for FALL 2026 is OPEN!
  • Swipes will be automatically assigned to approved applications. If you would like to access ASUCLA meal tickets instead for the quarter, please send a message to ECRT via Message Center or email.
  • SWIPES issued in FALL 2026 term expire on Thursday December 10, 2026 after the dinner meal period. If a student does not use at least 1 of the meals issued for FALL 2026, student will be disqualified form meals for WINTER 2027 if eligibility remains.
  • If a student is assigned ASUCLA meal tickets for FALL 2026 and they are not picked-up by pick-up deadline, student will be disqualified for meals for WINTER 2027 if eligibility remains.
  • Due to limited supply, exchanges are not possible from ASUCLA meals to swipes.
  • 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 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).
  • Students who do do not use at least one of the electronic meals swipes assigned for a term OR who do not pick-up issued ASUCLA meal tickets for a term are automatically disqualified (if eligibility remains) for the following term.

To submit a request please complete the Emergency Meal Program (EMP) Request Form.

OUR PARTNERS:

ECRT Network Bubbles