BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (2024)

In today’s post, we’re going to walk you through BenefitsCal Login process. The BenefitsCal Login online portal (www.benefitscal.com) is the website used by about 40 counties in California to manage Food Stamps (CalFresh), Medical Assistance (Medi-CAL), cash assistance (CALWORKs) and more.

If you’re new to BenefitsCal, this article will provide you with everything you need to successfully log in to your BenefitsCal account.

However, if you do not currently have an account, see our post onhow to create a BenefitsCal account.

This BenefitsCal Login Guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to log in, links to the BenefitsCal online portal, and troubleshooting tips if you have issues.

To find out how to log in to your BenefitsCal online account, keep reading below.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (1)

In this article, we will cover:

  • What is the Benefitscal Website?
  • California Counties Authorized to use BenefitsCal Online Portal
  • BenefitsCal Login Help
  • CalFresh Food Stamps Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • What is the Benefitscal Website?
  • Who can use BenefitsCal?
  • BenefitsCal Login Help
  • CalFresh Food Stamps FAQs
  • BenefitsCal Login Summary

What is the Benefitscal Website?

The BenefitsCal.org system is a new website that will replace C4Yourself, YourBenefitsNow, and MyBenefitsCalWIN, to provide one unified experience for all Californians to apply for and manage their public assistance benefits.

BenefitsCal.comis a new simple way for your Californians to apply for, view, and renew benefits for health coverage, food, and cash assistance.

BenefitsCal online system will make it easier than ever to:

  • Apply online
  • Renew your benefits
  • Upload documents
  • Report changes
  • Connect with a caseworker

BenefitsCal will support the following public assistance programs:

  • CalFresh
  • Medi-Cal/County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
  • CalWORKS
  • General Aid/General Relief (GA/GR)
  • Disaster CalFresh
  • Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

Who can use BenefitsCal?

The BenefitsCal website is being rolled out in phases, as shown by the map below.

See below for information on Phase one rollout, which occurred on September 27, 2021.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (2)

Phase 1 – C4Yourself Users

On September 27, 2021, the BenefitsCal website was rolled out to all California residents that used the C4Yourself to manage public assistance programs like CalFresh and CalWorks.

Therefore, if you currently use C4Yourself website to manage your public assistance benefits, then follow the instructions below to create a BenefitsCal account to access your benefits.

If you are not sure whether you should be using BenefitsCal to apply for or manage your California public assistance benefits, we have provided below the list of the counties that have been approved to start using the system starting on September 27, 2021.

Counties approved to use BenefitsCal Online Portal

AlpineModoc
AmadorMono
ButteMonterey
CalaverasNapa
ColusaNevada
Del NortePlumas
El DoradoRiverside
GlennSan Benito
HumboldtSan Bernardino
ImperialSan Joaquin
InyoShasta
KernSierra
KingsSiskiyou
LakeStanislaus
LassenSutter
MaderaTehama
MarinTrinity
MariposaTuolumne
MendocinoYuba
Merced

BenefitsCal Login Help

Follow the instructions below for help logging in to your BenefitsCal online account.

Step 1 – Visit BenefitsCal Website

To start the login process for your BenefitsCal account, visit the BenefitsCal Account website at https://benefitscal.com/.

Once you are on the homepage you will need to locate the “Log In” button, which is usually located at the top of the site (see image below).

Click on the “Log In” button to proceed with the process.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (3)

Step 2 – Enter Email Address and Password

Next, you will be taken to a page where you will be required to enter your account email address and password, as shown below.

Once you enter the correct email address and password, click “Log In” to continue, as shown by the image below.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (4)

Step 3 – View your account

If you entered the correct email address and password, you will be automatically taken to your BenefitsCal account page, as shown below.

Once there, you can perform a variety of tasks, including applying for:

  • Federal Emergency Rental Assistance
  • Food Stamps/SNAP
  • Cash Assistance
  • Medicaid
  • Discounts on Subway Fares

Step 4 – First Time Login

When you first log in to your BenefitsCal account, you will see the page below.

Accept the terms and conditions to proceed.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (5)

Step 5 – BenefitsCal Dashboard

After you have accepted the terms and conditions, you will be taken to the page below, which is your BenefitsCal dashboard.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (6)

Forgot Password?

If you forgot your password, click on the “Forgot Your Password” link as shown in the image below.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (7)

Next, you will be required to enter your email address to reset your password, as shown in the image below.

Once you have entered your email address, click “Next” to reset your password.

BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (8)

The video below does a great job of walking you through how to reset your password.

If you still need further assistance in resetting your BenefitCal password, we suggest you watch the video below.

CalFresh Food Stamps FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked California Food Stamps questions.

Where do I go to apply for CalFresh benefits?

There are3 waysyou can apply for food stamps in California.

Option 1 – Apply online

You can apply for California SNAP online using the BenefitCal.com system.

Once you create an account (using the instructions above), you can apply for CalFresh online through BenefitsCal.

Additionally, you can apply for CalFresh online through getcalfresh.org.

If you have an account, you can log in or create your getcalfresh.org account.Click hereto be taken to the website.

Option 2 – Apply at CDSS Office Near You

You can apply in person at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) office near you.Click hereto locate a CDSS office.

Option 3 – Download the California Food Stamps Application

You candownloadan application, complete it and mail it to your county CDSS office or submit it in person.

What is the Calfornia (CalFresh) Food Stamps Income Limit for 2023?

Here are the CalFresh SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022/2023.

Note that both the Gross Income Limit and the Net Income Limit as based on a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Gross monthly income means a household’s total income before excluding deductions allowed under the program.

Deductions are expenses that are subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income when determining eligibility and the amount of CalFresh benefits that will be received monthly.

For most households, the monthly gross income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for the household size to be eligible.

Individuals who purchase and prepare food together are counted as one (1) household for CalFresh purposes.

California SNAP (CalFresh) Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household SizeMonthly Gross Income (200% of FPL)Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL)
1$2,266$1,133
2$3,052$1,526
3$3,839$1,920
4$4,625$2,313
5$5,412$2,706
6$6,199$3,100
7$6,985$3,493
8$7,772$3,886
Each Additional Household Member: Add$787$394

What can you purchase with CalFresh?

CalFresh can be used to buy any food or food product that is produced for human consumption. The exception to this is hot foods or lunch counter items prepared or heated in the store.

In addition, CalFresh benefitscannotbe used to buy non-food items like soap, toilet paper, shampoo, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, vitamins or medicines, and pet food.

However, you can use your California SNAP EBT Card to purchase seeds and plants for use in home gardens to produce food.

I didn’t get my CalFresh benefits. What’s going on?

Questions about your CalFresh benefits should bedirected tothe local county public assistance office that issues the benefits.

For information on how to reach your county CalFresh office, visitwww.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices.

When will I receive my CalFresh benefits?

In all California counties, except Los Angeles, food Stamps Benefits are deposited on EBT Cards over the first 10 days of every month.

When yourfood stamps benefit is depositedon your EBT Card depends on the last digit of your case number.

Here is the schedule of payment based on the last digit of your case number:

If your Case Number ends inBenefits are deposited on the
11st of the month
22nd of the month
33rd of the month
44th of the month
55th of the month
66th of the month
77th of the month
88th of the month
99th of the month
010th of the month

I just moved to another city in California. What should I do to continue getting CalFresh?

If you moved to a city in the same county you lived in before, update your address with the CalFresh office right away.

This will ensure you will still get important notices about your CalFresh.

However, if you moved to a different county, contact the CalFresh office in your new county right away and request an Inter-County Transfer of benefits.

The county can transfer your case and you should not have to reapply.

For information on how to reach your county CalFresh office, visitwww.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices.

How to Check CalFresh EBT Card Balance?

There are three ways tocheck your CalFresh EBT Card balance.

Option 1 – Via Phone

Call1-877-328-9677to check the balance on your CaliforniaEBT Card

Option 2 – Online

Option 3 – Using the Last Transaction Receipt.

  • You can also check the balance by locating your Last Receipt

Are there items I cannot purchase with CalFresh benefits?

Yes. CalFresh benefitscannot be usedto purchase:

  • Any non-food items, including pet food, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, and cosmetics.
  • Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
  • Any food that will be eaten in the store.
  • Vitamins and medicines.
  • Any food marketed to be heated in the store.

BenefitsCal Login Summary

We hope this post on BenefitsCal Login was helpful.

For details about CalFresh Eligibility, click here: CalFresh Eligibility.

Before you apply, make sure you meet the income limit. Click here for more: CalFresh Income Limits.

To apply for CalFresh, click here: Apply for California SNAP Benefits.

For CalFresh FAQs, click here: California SNAP FAQs.

Questions?

If you have further questions about California SNAP or CalFresh EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:

  • Restaurants that Take CalFresh in California
  • How to Apply for California P-EBT
  • How to Complete CalFresh SAR 7 Form
  • $3,000 Stimulus Child Tax Credit for Families
  • CalFresh Office in Orange County, CA
  • CalFresh Office in Los Angeles, CA
BenefitsCal Login Help - California Food Stamps Help (2024)

FAQs

How much food stamps will I get for 1 person in California? ›

How many CalFresh benefits can you receive? Your CalFresh allotment depends on the size of your household. Starting October 1, 2023, the maximum allotment for one person is $291 per month. The maximum allotment for a four person family is $973.

How do I get approved for food stamps in California? ›

You may be eligible for food stamps if you're at least one of the following:
  1. Enrolled less than half time.
  2. Employed at least 20 hours/week.
  3. Receiving federal or state work study financial aid.
  4. Receiving cash assistance (TANF).
  5. Enrolled in a program that doesn't require a high school diploma.
Apr 12, 2024

How does CalFresh verify income? ›

Paper documents

Paper verification means documents like pay stubs, utility bills, a driver's license or an I.D. card for another benefit program. [7 C.F.R. § 273.2(f)(4)(i); MPP § 63-300.5(h)(1).]

How can I check my CalFresh application status? ›

How to check your CalFresh Status? You can check the status of your application by calling the CalFresh hotline, which is 1-877-847-3663. I'm The service is available in an array of languages including English, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Russian.

How much do you get for one person on SNAP 2024? ›

The average SNAP benefit for a single person in 2024 is $202 per month, with a maximum of $291. The average benefit for a family of four is $713, with a maximum of $973, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).

How much do you get for 2 people on SNAP? ›

Calculating Benefit Amounts Copy link
TABLE 1
SNAP Benefits by Household Size Copy link
2$535$372
3$766$598
4$973$713
7 more rows
Oct 2, 2023

How fast can you get food stamps in California? ›

Get money

If approved, you will get an EBT card for groceries within 10 days.

How much will CalFresh pay in 2024? ›

Total CalFresh and CFAP Funding Increases.
2023‑24 Reviseda2024‑25 Proposed
Benefits
CalFresh Benefitsb$11,884$12,107
CFAP Benefitsc99110
Subtotals($11,983)($12,218)
11 more rows
Feb 16, 2024

Can I get emergency food stamps in California? ›

You can qualify for Expedited Services if you meet all other CalFresh requirements and: Your household has less than $150 gross monthly income and liquid resources are $100 or less; or. Your household's combined gross monthly income and liquid resources are less than your shelter and utility costs; or.

Does CalFresh get reported to IRS? ›

CalFresh is a nutrition program, funded by the USDA, which also funds free lunches at schools and WIC. CalFresh is not the same as CalWORKs or welfare. You will not have to pay any money back unless you are overpaid. You do not need to report CalFresh on your tax return.

What proof does CalFresh ask for? ›

Proof Needed to Get More CalFresh Benefits

Housing costs (rent receipts, mortgage bills, property tax bill, insurance documents). Phone and utility costs. Medical expenses for anyone in your household who is elderly (60 and older) or disabled.

Are CalFresh and BenefitsCal the same? ›

BenefitsCal helps people with CalFresh, Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), CalWORKs, General Assistance/Relief (GA/GR), and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). You can use BenefitsCal to: Apply and renew benefits.

How long does it take for CalFresh to accept you? ›

CalFresh applications are determined within 30 days. Once eligibility is determined a Notice of Action (NOA) is mailed to the customer showing whether the application is approved or denied. The approval NOA outlines the benefit amount and how to access benefits.

How much money can you have in the bank and still get Food Stamps in California? ›

Who is eligible for CalFresh? You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 and share your household with one of the following: a person or persons age 60 and over or. a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

What is the income limit for CalFresh in California? ›

Income Guidelines (October 1 2022 to September 30, 2023)
Household SizeGross Monthly Income
1$1,580 to $2,430
2$2,137 to $3,288
3$2,694 to $4,144
4$3,250 to $5,000
2 more rows

What is the income limit for one person on SNAP? ›

Table 1: SNAP Income Eligibility Limits - Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024
Household SizeGross monthly income (130 percent of poverty)Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty)
1$1,580$1,215
2$2,137$1,644
3$2,694$2,072
4$3,250$2,500
5 more rows
Jun 10, 2024

How much is the extra food stamps in California? ›

SUN Bucks California

SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July, and August 2024 ($120 total). For questions regarding SUN Bucks, please call the SUN Bucks helpline at (877) 328-9677 or visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks.

What is the income limit for food stamps in California in 2024? ›

CalFresh Eligibility Criteria
Number of People in Household130% Federal Poverty Level Maximum Gross Income Allowed
1$1,580
2$2,137
3$2,694
4$3,250
5 more rows

Why is my CalFresh amount so low? ›

Any number of things could result in an underissuance: The mistake could be in figuring out how many CalFresh benefits the household should get; the CalFresh office did not tell the household about an exclusion or deduction for which it qualified that would have increased the household's benefit amount (such as special ...

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5643

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.