If you are applying for California Food Stamps (CalFresh), CalWORKs, General Relief, or MediCal, the benefits website is the easiest way to do that. However, before you can start the application process, you need to create YourBenefitsNow account. In this article, we will walk you through the step by step process of how to create a YourBenefitsNow Account and login to the DPSS website.
If you already have an account and need help logging in, see our YourBenefitsNow account Login help article.
There are several advantages to setting up a YourBenefitsNow account. With an account, you can:
- Determine Eligibility for Benefits
- Apply for Benefits, including CalFresh
- Get the status of an Application for Benefits
- Get the status of current Benefits
- Report any changed to current Benefits
- Submit a Renewal for Benefits
- View Notices about Benefits
- Upload Documents for Benefits
NOTE: YourBenefitsNow account is for Los Angeles County residents. If you don’t live in Los Angeles County, you have to apply for your benefits through either the C4Yourself portal or MyBenefits CalWIN Account.
ALERT: As of April 2022, YourBenefitsNow was replaced by BenefitsCal. Learn more about what you need to do by clicking here: BenefitsCal Explained.
To create a BenefitsCal account to access your benefits, see our post – How to Create a BenefitsCal account.
If you already have a BenefitsCal account and need help to log in, including how to reset your password, see our post – BenefitsCal Account login Help.
Create a YourBenefitsNow Account Help
To create your YourBenefitsNow account, follow the steps we have outlined below:
Remember that this process is for Los Angeles County.
Step 1 – Visit YourBenefitsNow Website
The first thing you need to do is go to the YourBenefitsNow website here.
If you already have an account with YourBenefitsNow but need help logging into your account, read our YourBenefitsNow Login Guide here.
Once there, select “Create a new Account”, under the “New User?” section of the page, as shown below.
Step 2 – Create Account
Once you are on that page, you will be asked to provide information to set up your account as shown below. Here is the information you will have to enter:
- Username
- Password
- Security Question Selection
- Whether you already have a case with DPSS
Enter the information requested and click on “Register Now”, as shown in the image below:
Step 3 – Accept Disclaimer
Once you are done, you will see a Disclaimer page, that looks like the one below:
Read through the Disclaimer information and click “I Agree” when done.
Step 4 – View Your Account
After you agree to the Disclaimer, you will be taken to your account page, as shown below. On the account page, you can:
- Determine Eligibility for Benefits
- Apply for Benefits
- Get the status of an Application for Benefits
- Get the status of current Benefits
- Report any changed to current Benefits
- Submit a Renewal for Benefits
- View Notices about Benefits
- Upload Documents for Benefits
YourBenefitsNow Video by Los Angeles County DPSS
In the video below, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) gives very useful information on YourBenefitsNow (YBN).
If you are having trouble creating your account, this video will help you understand how to use your YBN account to:
- Apply on-line for CalFres, CalWORKs and Medi-Cal
- Get your benefits information
- Schedule appointments
- Submit your Semi-annual SAR 7 Report
- View/print notices.
CalFresh Food Stamps FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked California Food Stamps questions.
What is the California (CalFresh) Food Stamps Income Limit for 2023?
Here’s the CalFresh SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023
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 | $2,266 | $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 |
| 9 | $8,559 | $4,280 |
| 10 | $9,346 | $4,674 |
|
For each additional
person add: |
$787 | $394 |
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 2023 |
Estimated Average Monthly Benefit, Fiscal Year 2023 |
| 1 | $281 | $195 |
| 2 | $516 | $359 |
| 3 | $740 | $577 |
| 4 | $939 | $684 |
| 5 | $1,116 | $818 |
| 6 | $1,339 | $1,011 |
| 7 | $1,480 | $1,048 |
| 8 | $1,691 | $1,150 |
| Each additional person | $211 | |
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.
What you CAN buy with EBT Card:
Foods for the household to eat, such as:
- bread and cereals;
- fruits and vegetables;
- meats, fish and poultry; and
- dairy products.
- Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.
What you CANNOT buy with EBT Card:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Any nonfood items, such as: - pet foods
- soaps, paper products
- household supplies
- Vitamins and medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
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.
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.
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 California Food Stamps Income Limit, California Food Stamps Card Replacement, and How to Purchase Groceries Online with California EBT.