UCLA
Consultation & Response

Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)

ECRT Membership Network

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:

  • 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 Thursday November 27 and Friday November 28, 2025 in observance of University Holiday, Thanksgiving. ECRT will resume operations on Monday December 1, 2025.

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT:

Be Well Bruin: Health & Wellbeing and Campus Resource Directory

THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED

EMERGENCY MEAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IMPACTED BY CALFRESH BENEFIT DELAYS

Dining Swipes

Students who have already applied and received an approval email for dining swipes will be able to begin redeeming their swipes starting at breakfast on Monday, November 24, 2025. SWIPES WILL EXPIRE ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2025

ASUCLA Vouchers

Students who have already applied and received an approval email for vouchers may pick up their vouchers Monday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 26 between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM in the Strathmore Building, Room 106.

IMPORTANT HOLIDAY HOURS:

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours:November 24–30, 2025

Please review the modified hours below for UCLA Dining, ASUCLA Restaurants, and the UCLA Store Market during Thanksgiving week. Hours vary by location, and some services will be closed on holiday dates.

Residential Dining: https://dining.ucla.edu/hours/

ASUCLA Restaurants: https://www.asucla.ucla.edu/hours

UCLA Store Market: https://www.uclastore.com/store-hours​​​​​​

ECRT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES:

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

HOW TO 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 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 Form for Fall 2025for Dining Swipes will close on Friday November 28, 2025.
  • Applications received between Saturday November 29, 2025 (Week 10) through Wednesday December 10, 2025 (Finals Week) will be fulfilled with ASUCLA meal tickets.
  • The program will close for Fall 2025 on Wednesday December 10, 2025.
  • Fall 2025 Swipes expire on Thursday December 11, 2025 after Dinner Meal Period.
  • Winter 2026 application will open on Monday January 5, 2026 for DINING SWIPES ONLY.
  • 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 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).

To submit a request please complete the 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:

ECRT Network Bubbles