BenefitsCal - Access Your California Benefits Account

Your gateway to CalFresh food assistance, Medi-Cal health coverage, CalWORKs cash aid help, and more. Manage your benefits easily and securely online.

What is BenefitsCal?

The BenefitsCal login website serves as a central access point for eligible Californians seeking essential support services. This platform streamlines the process of managing your benefits and accessing critical resources for your well-being.

BenefitsCal is an official online portal launched in 2021 that provides digital access to various assistance programs for California residents. Through this secure platform, qualified Californians can apply for, view, and renew benefits, including CalFresh food assistance, healthcare coverage through Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs cash help. The portal was designed to replace multiple systems (C4Yourself, YourBenefitsNow, and MyBenefitsCalWIN) and create a more efficient unified experience for connecting all California residents with vital resources. BenefitsCal also supports applications for County Medical Services Program (CMSP), Disaster CalFresh, General Assistance/General Relief (GA/GR), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), and the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP).

What BenefitsCal Offers

BenefitsCal provides access to essential services and support for residents of California

My California benefits Services My California benefits Services
CalFresh (Food)

Access nutritional assistance to help you and your family purchase healthy foods at grocery stores and farmers markets, enabling access to essential items like bread, rice, nuts, and more for maintaining balanced nutrition.

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My California benefits Services My California benefits Services
Medi-Cal (Health Benefits)

Get access to free or low-cost healthcare coverage for you and your family, with benefits covering essential services including doctor visits, hospital care, immunizations, pregnancy-related care, nursing home assistance, and additional medical services for comprehensive health protection.

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My Benefits California Services My Benefits California Services
CalWORKs (Cash Help)

Receive financial assistance to help meet your family's basic needs during challenging times like rent, housing, food, clothing, medical payments, and utilities.

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Support Services

Assistance programs for refugees, immigrants, trafficking victims, disaster victims, employment.

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How to Login to Your California Benefits

Follow these simple steps to log in to your California Benefits account

1

Visit the Website

Access www.benefitscal.com from your computer or mobile device

2

Click "Log In"

Select the login option from the navigation menu

3

Enter Credentials

Provide your email and password to access your account

4

Manage Benefits

View your case reports, check status, and manage your services

Application Trends

Monthly application statistics for California benefits programs

* Data for 2024 / recources: www.dhcs.ca.gov, www.cdss.ca.gov

Benefits Program Data

Current statistics and information about California benefits programs

Program Enrollment

Benefits Distribution

Medi-Cal Income Eligibility

Family Size 138% of Federal Poverty Level (Annual Income)
1 $20,783
2 $28,208
3 $35,632
4 $43,056
5 $50,481

*These figures are current as of July 2024. Note: These amounts are subject to change and may vary based on specific circumstances. For the most current information, please refer to the DHCS website.

Calfresh Income Eligibility

Family Size Net Annual Income Limit
1 $13,596
2 $18,312
3 $23,040
4 $27,756
5 $32,472

Note:These figures are subject to change and may vary based on specific circumstances. For the most current information, please refer to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website.

BenefitsCal Program Comparison

Program Eligibility Coverage Application Process
Medi-Cal Low-income individuals and families, including pregnant women, children, elderly, and disabled persons. Comprehensive healthcare services, including medical, dental, vision, mental health, hospitalization, and prescription medications. Apply online at BenefitsCal, by mail, or in person at local county offices.
CalFresh Low-income individuals and families meeting specific income guidelines. Monthly electronic benefits to purchase most foods at many markets and food stores. Apply online at BenefitsCal, by mail, or in person at local county offices.
CalWORKs Families with children who meet income and resource limits; includes pregnant women and caretakers of minor children. Cash assistance for housing, food, utilities, clothing, medical care, and other necessary expenses; also provides employment services through Welfare-to-Work. Apply online at BenefitsCal, by mail, or in person at local county offices.

Are You Eligible?

To access and manage your California Benefits account, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of California
  • Have a stable internet connection
  • Use a computer or mobile device that can connect to the internet

If you're unsure about your eligibility for specific programs like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWorks, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), and General Assistance/General Relief (GA/GR) you can apply online or visit a local office for assistance.

Check Eligibility
California Benefits Eligibility

Frequently asked questions about My Benefits California

  • To apply for California benefits programs through BenefitsCal, follow these simple steps:

    • Navigate to the official BenefitsCal website and select the “Apply for Benefits” button
    • Complete and Submit Your Application by filling out as much information as possible to speed up processing (Name, Where you currently live, Date of birth, Signature). No documents will be needed to apply. If something is needed they will contact you later.
    • Click the Apply Now button and follow the prompts to complete the BenefitsCal registration process
    • After completing these steps, your application will be processed, and you will be notified of your eligibility.

    The application process takes from 30 to 60 minuts to be completed. You can also check your application status anytime through your BenefitsCal account. Also keep in mind that for CalFresh (food benefits) and CalWORKs (cash aid), an interview is required.

  • CalFresh eligibility is primarily determined by income requirements:

    • Most households must have a monthly gross income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
    • Special considerations exist for households with elderly (age 60+) or disabled members
    • Work registration is required for non-exempt household members aged 16-59
    • As of June 2019, SSI/SSP recipients in California are also eligible

    Eligibility is also determined by annual income levels, which vary based on household size. For specific income thresholds, contact your local county office or apply online. Check CalFresh eligibility income data here.

  • You may qualify for Medi-Cal if you are:

    • 65 or older
    • Blind
    • Disabled
    • Under 21
    • Pregnant
    • In a skilled nursing or intermediate care home
    • On refugee status

    Eligibility is also determined by annual income levels, which vary based on household size. For specific income thresholds, contact your local county office or apply online through Covered California. Check Medi-Cal eligibility income data here.

  • You may qualify for CalWORKs if you are:

    • A California resident
    • You are a California resident.
    • You meet the income and property guidelines.

    For specific income thresholds, contact your local county office or apply online. Check CalWORKs eligibility here.

  • Creating an online account on the official BenefitsCal website provides numerous advantages for managing your assistance programs.

    These digital tools allow California residents to access essential services efficiently.

    • Manage your case information
    • Submit changes to your account
    • Calculate potential benefit amounts
    • Check the status of your services
    • Renew your benefits through BenefitsCal

BenefitsCal Programs and Features

BenefitsCal is California's official online portal designed to simplify the application and management of public assistance benefits. It provides a secure, user-friendly platform where residents can apply for, renew, and track their benefits without the need to visit a county office. The platform provides access to various services administered by the California Department of Social Services and the Department of Health Care Services.

BenefitsCal Programs

Residents can access various assistance programs through BenefitsCal, including:

1.CalFresh (Food Benefits)

CalFresh, formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly food assistance to low-income individuals and families. Benefits are issued via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase most foods at participating retailers. Eligibility and benefit amounts are based on household size, income, and expenses.

2. Medi-Cal (Health Coverage)

Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost health care to eligible individuals and families. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, immunizations, pregnancy-related services, and more. Eligibility is determined based on income, household size, and other factors. ​

3. CalWORKs (Cash Aid & Employment Services)

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program offers cash aid to families with children who meet specific income requirements. This assistance helps pay for housing, food, clothing, medical care, and utilities. CalWORKs also provides employment services to promote self-sufficiency.

4. General Assistance (GA) & Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

Provides temporary financial aid to adults with little or no income, including specific programs for refugees.

BenefitsCal Features

Eligibility for these programs is primarily income-based, considering household size, income level, and other financial factors. BenefitsCal streamlines the application process by allowing users to:

  • Apply for multiple benefits at once through a single online platform.
  • Renew benefits and submit documents directly from their account.
  • Track application status and manage case details in real time.
  • Receive notifications and updates regarding their benefits.

With these features, BenefitsCal ensures that Californians can easily access and manage the support they need for food, healthcare, and financial stability.

For more detailed information on these programs and to apply, visit the BenefitsCal website.

How to use your BenefitsCal Portal

Watch their How-to video on how to apply and manage your application.