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 on how 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.
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
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.com is 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.
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 |
|
| Alpine | Modoc |
| Amador | Mono |
| Butte | Monterey |
| Calaveras | Napa |
| Colusa | Nevada |
| Del Norte | Plumas |
| El Dorado | Riverside |
| Glenn | San Benito |
| Humboldt | San Bernardino |
| Imperial | San Joaquin |
| Inyo | Shasta |
| Kern | Sierra |
| Kings | Siskiyou |
| Lake | Stanislaus |
| Lassen | Sutter |
| Madera | Tehama |
| Marin | Trinity |
| Mariposa | Tuolumne |
| Mendocino | Yuba |
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
Forgot Password?
If you forgot your password, click on the “Forgot Your Password” link as shown in the image below.
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.
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 are 3 ways you 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 here to 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 here to locate a CDSS office.
Option 3 – Download the California Food Stamps Application
You can download an 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 Size | Monthly 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 benefits cannot be 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 be directed to the local county public assistance office that issues the benefits.
For information on how to reach your county CalFresh office, visit www.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 your food stamps benefit is deposited on 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 in | Benefits are deposited on the |
| 1 | 1st of the month |
| 2 | 2nd of the month |
| 3 | 3rd of the month |
| 4 | 4th of the month |
| 5 | 5th of the month |
| 6 | 6th of the month |
| 7 | 7th of the month |
| 8 | 8th of the month |
| 9 | 9th of the month |
| 0 | 10th 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, visit www.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices.
How to Check CalFresh EBT Card Balance?
There are three ways to check your CalFresh EBT Card balance.
Option 1 – Via Phone
Call 1-877-328-9677 to check the balance on your California EBT Card
Option 2 – Online
- You can check the balance online here.
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 benefits cannot be used to 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: