How to Create a MyBenefits CalWIN Account
If you are looking for information on how to create a MyBenefits CalWIN Account, we can help you. In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide on how to create a MyBenefits CalWIN Account including step-by-step instructions on setting up your new online account for California benefits.
If this is not your first time using the MyBenefits CalWIN online portal, you do not need to create a new account. For help logging into your account or recovering your User ID or Password, check out our login article here.
In this article, we will cover:
- California Counties Authorized to use MyBenefits CalWIN Online Portal
- Benefits of MyBenefits CalWIN Account
- How to Create a MyBenefits CalWIN Account
- CalFresh Food Stamps Frequently Asked Questions
For help creating your MyBenefits CalWIN Account, continue reading and follow our guide below.
ALERT: Starting in 2022, MyBenefits CalWIN will soon be replaced by BenefitsCal. Learn more about what you need to do by clicking here: New BenefitsCal Portal Explained.
California Counties Authorized to use MyBenefits CalWIN Online Portal
Not all counties in California use the MyBenefits CalWIN online portal to apply for benefits.
If you live in one of the following California counties listed below, then you CAN use the MyBenefits CalWIN online portal to apply for and manage benefit assistance.
Counties that use the
|
| Alameda County |
| Contra Costa County |
| Fresno County |
| Orange County |
| Placer County |
| Sacramento County |
| San Diego County |
| San Francisco County |
| San Luis Obispo County |
| San Mateo County |
| Santa Barbara County |
| Santa Clara County |
| Santa Cruz County |
| Solano County |
| Sonoma County |
| Tulare County |
| Ventura County |
| Yolo County |
Benefits of C4Yourself Online Account
MyBenefits CalWIN is an online application system that allows you to apply for benefits in the California counties listed above.
There are several benefits to signing up for a MyBenefits CalWIN account. You can use the MyBenefits CalWIN account to:
- View details on your existing benefits
- Start or continue an existing application
- Check the status of an application you have already submitted
- Schedule an appointment for a new application
- Upload verification documents
- Renew your benefits or complete recertification
- See your Caseworker details
- Review your benefits information
- Update your account profile
- See details on the Semi-Annual or Quarterly reports you are required to submit
Benefits you can access through the MyBenefits CalWIN portal include:
- CalFresh (Food and Nutrition Assistance)
- CalWORKs (Cash Assistance)
- MediCal (Medical assistance)
How to Create a MyBenefits CalWIN Account
Here’s how to create your MyBenefits CalWIN online account:
Step 1 – Visit MyBenefits CalWIN Account
To start creating your MyBenefits CalWIN, visit the MyBenefits CalWIN website at www.mybenefitscalwin.org.
Once you are on the homepage you will need to locate the “Create An Account” button, which is usually at the top part of the site (see image below).
Click on the “Create An Account” button to proceed with the process.
Step 2 – Select Your County of Residence
As mentioned above, not every county in California uses the MyBenefits CalWIN online portal to manage their benefit assistance program.
Therefore, in order to make sure your county is authorized to use the portal, you first have to select your county of residence, as shown below.
If your county is authorized to use the system, then you will be able to proceed to the next step.
Step 3 – Enter your Personal Information
Next, you will be asked to enter your personal information to create your account as shown below, including:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
Step 4 – Create Sign-In Credentials
Once you have entered your personal information, you can then move to the next step in the process, which is to create your sign-in credentials, including:
- Username,
- Password
- Select Secret Questions
- Choose Your Image
Step 5 – Pick Secret Questions and Select Image
The last part of the account setup process is to select three secret questions and a sign-in image.
The secret questions
The purpose of picking a secret question is to help you sign in to your account when you forget your sign in details.
The secret questions also help identify you as the rightful owner of the account.
Therefore, you should select questions you are likely to remember.
Select Image
According to MyBenefits CalWIN, here’s why you need to select an image:
“A Sign-in Picture is a secret photo that will display on this account only. This security photo will protect you from accidentally signing in to a fake website.
You will always see your photo after entering your username.
If you do not see this photo, you should not enter your password and contact your county.
Select your image and click “Go”.
Next, you will see the options of images in that category.
Select an image you like, then give it a name.
You should pick an image you are likely to remember.
Step 6 – Confirm your email
You’re almost done.
To complete your account set up, you will receive an email at the email address you provided.
Follow the steps in the email sent to you.
Step 7 – Sign into Your Account
Once you click on the link in the email that is sent to you, it will bring you to a sign-in page, with the sign-in image you selected showing.
You will then be asked to enter your password to sign in to your new account.
If you do not remember your password, click on the “forgot password” link as shown below.
Once you enter your password, click the “Sign In” link as shown below.
If you entered the correct password, you will be taken to your MyBenefits CalWIN Account page.
Congratulations!!
You have completed the signup process to create a MyBenefits CalWIN Account. You can now proceed to perform any of the lists of tasks listed above in this article, including:
- View details on your existing benefits
- Start or continue an existing application
- Check the status of an application you have already submitted
- Schedule an appointment for a new application
- Upload verification documents
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 online through the California getcalfresh.org account.
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 California Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county CDSS office or submit it in person.
How much money can you have and still get CalFresh?
Currently, households may have $2,250 in countable resources (such as cash or money in a bank account).
In addition, if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled, or if you get Medi-Cal, the countable resources limit is $3,500.
However, not all resources are counted when determining eligibility for CalFresh. The following resources are not counted:
- A home and lot;
- Resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
- Resources of people who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF; also known as welfare); and
- Most retirement and pension plans (withdrawals from these accounts may count as either income or resources depending on how often they occur).
Furthermore, some applicants for CalFresh may be able to get expedited benefits.
This means that they may get approved faster for their CalFresh.
You may qualify for Expedited CalFresh if:
- You have less than $100 in accessible resources or $150 in gross monthly income;
- Your combined monthly gross income and accessible resources are less than your monthly utility and rent/mortgage; or
- You are a destitute migrant/seasonal farm worker whose accessible resources are less than $100.
How long will it take for my application for CalFresh benefits to be approved?
It takes up to 30 calendar days following the date your application was filed to get notice of a decision.
Your county’s food stamps office will let you know via email and also via a letter in the mail about whether your CalFresh application has been approved.
You can also check the status of your application online by logging into your MyBenefits CalWIN Account.
However, if your application meets the criteria for Expedited CalFresh benefits, your application could be approved within 3 calendar days following the date the application is filed.
What is the Calfornia (CalFresh) Food Stamps Income Limit for 2021?
Here’s the CalFresh SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2021
Note that both the Gross Income Limit and the Net Income Limit as based on a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
| Household Size |
Gross Income Limit 200% FPL | Net Income Limit 100% FPL |
| 1 | $2,128 | $1,064 |
| 2 | $2,874 | $1,437 |
| 3 | $3,620 | $1,810 |
| 4 | $4,368 | $2,184 |
| 5 | $5,114 | $2,557 |
| 6 | $5,860 | $2,930 |
| 7 | $6,608 | $3,304 |
| 8 | $7,354 | $3,677 |
| 9 | $8,102 | $4,051 |
| 10 | $8,850 | $4,425 |
|
For each additional
person add: |
$748 | $374 |
How Much will I receive in CalFresh Benefits if I am Approved?
Once you are approved for CalFresh food stamps, you probably want to know how much in benefits your household will get on a monthly basis.
See the chart below for details.
| SNAP Benefits by Household Size | ||
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit, Fiscal Year 2021 |
Estimated Average Monthly Benefit, Fiscal Year 2021 |
| 1 | $204 | $138 |
| 2 | $374 | $260 |
| 3 | $535 | $401 |
| 4 | $680 | $477 |
| 5 | $807 | $560 |
| 6 | $969 | $673 |
| 7 | $1,071 | $656 |
| 8 | $1,224 | $927 |
| Each additional person | $153 | |
Who can receive CalFresh benefits?
You may be eligible to receive CalFresh benefits, whether or not you work, if you have a low income. See the income limit above for gross and net income requirements.
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.
Can SSI/SSP recipients get CalFresh?
As of June 1st, 2019, SSI/SSP recipients may be eligible to receive CalFresh in addition to receiving a monthly Social Security Disability benefit.
Can I get CalFresh just for myself if I live with my family or with others?
People who live together and purchase food and prepare meals together are grouped as a “household”. Husbands and wives and their children under age 22 must be one household.
Can I get CalFresh if I am not a United States citizen?
You may be eligible if you are a “qualified” noncitizen. This includes Permanent Legal Residents (holders of a green card), refugees, asylees (an individual who has been granted asylum), and individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal.
In addition, Cuban/Haitian entrants, individuals paroled into the U.S. for a least one year by immigration authorities, conditional entrants (temporary green card).
Furthermore, certain victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking (T visa), and applicants for U visa/interim relief are also eligible for CalFresh.
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 |
Can I get CalFresh if I am a college student?
Students, ages 18 through 49 enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time, students may be able to get CalFresh if they are:
- Physically or mentally unfit, or
- Working at least 20 hours per week, or
- Participating in a state or federally financed work-study program, or
- Participating in an on-the-job training program, or
- Receiving CalWORKs benefits, or
- Taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 6, or
- Taking care of a dependent household member over the age of 6 but under 12 and do not have adequate child care to be able to attend school and work a minimum of 20 hours, or take part in a state or federally financed work-study program, or
- Single parent enrolled full time in college and taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 12, or
- Enrolled in college as a result of participation in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), or the Job Opportunities and Basic Skill (JOBS) program under Title IV of the Social Security Act.
- Voluntarily participating in The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS).
- Voluntarily participating in EOP, JOBS, DSPS, CARE, MESA, Puente, McNAIR, Former Foster Youth Programs, Cal Grant A&B that meet TANF requirements.
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
How to Create a YourBenefitsNow Account Summary
We hope this post on how to create a YourBenefitsNow account online was helpful to you.
If you have additional questions or need help applying for CalFresh, leave those in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about EBT, including YourBenefitsNow Login, California Food Stamps Income Limit, California Food Stamps Card Replacement, and How to Purchase Groceries Online with California EBT.