If you are applying for, or currently receiving Food Stamps (CalFresh) Medical Assistance (MediCAL) or Cash Assistance (CALWorks) in the State of California, depending on your county of residence, you need a BenefitsCal online account to manage the application process and your benefits if you are approved. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to create BenefitsCal account online.
If you already have an account and need help logging in, see our login help article here.
The BenefitsCal online portal is used by close to 40 California counties to manage their benefit assistance programs.
First, we will describe what BenefitsCal is about and explain the benefits of having a BenefitsCal account, including what you can do with your online account.
Next, we will provide you a list of counties that use the system, so that you can be sure your county is approved to use it.
Finally, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a BenefitsCal account.
In this article, we will cover:
- What is the Benefitscal Website?
- California Counties Authorized to use BenefitsCal Online Portal
- How to Create a BenefitsCal Account
- CalFresh Food Stamps Frequently Asked Questions
For help creating your C4Yourself Account, continue reading and follow our guide below.
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 | |
How to Create BenefitsCal Account
To create your BenefitsCal account, follow the steps we have outlined below:
Step 1 – Visit BenefitsCal Website
To start creating your BenefitsCal account, visit the BenefitsCal Account website at https://benefitscal.com/.
Once you are on the homepage you will need to locate the “New? Create An Account” button, which is usually located at the top of the site (see image below).
Click on the “Create An Account” button to proceed with the process.
Step 2 – Enter Information Requested
Next, you will be taken to a page like the one below where you will be required to enter the following information to create your account as shown below:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
- Password
- Mobile Phone Number
Note that your password must include at least 8 characters, 1 number, 1 letter and 1 special character (!@#$%&).
Continue the account creation process by entering the rest of the information as shown below.
Once you are done, check the three boxes as shown below, including the “I’m not a robot” box, then click the “Next” button to continue.
Step 3 – Select Security Questions
Next, you will be taken to the page below, where you will be required to select three security questions.
Select the questions you are likely to remember the answers to.
Once you are done, click the “Create Account” link to proceed.
Step 4 – Enter Email Code
Next, you will be taken to the page below, where you will be required to enter a code that was sent to the email address you provided earlier.
Check your email, retrieve the code, and enter it in the space provided.
Once you have entered the correct code, click the “Submit” button to complete the process.
Step 5 – Enter Code Sent by Text
Next, you will be taken to the page below, where you will be required to enter a code that was sent to the Phone Number you provided earlier.
Check your Text Messages on your phone, retrieve the code, and enter it in the space provided.
Once you have entered the correct code, click the “Submit” button to complete the process.
Step 6 – Login to View your account
Next, you will be taken to the page below, which is your indication that you have successfully created a BenefitsCal account.
Click the “LOG IN button to log in to your new account, as shown below.
Additionally, you will get an email confirming that your BenefitsCal account has been successfully created.
The video below provides a great summary of the entire process for creating a benefitscal account.
If you need additional help, the video is worth watching.
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 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 2021?
Here’s the CalFresh SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2021/2022.
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.
| Household Size | Monthly 200% Gross Income Limit | Monthly 100% Net Income Limit |
| 1 | $2,148 | $1,074 |
| 2 | $2,904 | $1,452 |
| 3 | $3,660 | $1,830 |
| 4 | $4,418 | $2,209 |
| 5 | $5,174 | $2,587 |
| 6 | $5,930 | $2,965 |
| 7 | $6,688 | $3,344 |
| 8 | $7,444 | $3,722 |
| 9 | $8,202 | $4,101 |
| 10 | $8,960 | $4,480 |
| Each additional member | +$758 | +$379 |
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 SNAP Benefit | Estimated Average Monthly Benefit |
| 1 | $250 | $175 |
| 2 | $459 | $334 |
| 3 | $658 | $520 |
| 4 | $835 | $638 |
| 5 | $992 | $748 |
| 6 | $1,190 | $869 |
| 7 | $1,316 | $941 |
| 8 | $1,504 | $1,137 |
| Each additional member | (+$188) | |
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.
Talk to a CalFresh Eligibility Worker. Even if you are not eligible for Calfresh benefits, other members of your family may be eligible.
Parents who do not qualify themselves should apply for their children born in the United States.
If you do receive CalFresh benefits, it will not count against you when you apply to become a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
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.
Can I get CalFresh if I am not working?
Yes, but you may be required to participate in a work or training program.
Can I get CalFresh if I am working?
Yes, if your income does not exceed the eligibility requirements, you may receive CalFresh benefits even if you work.
Also, income eligibility limits vary depending on the number of persons in your household, therefore it is important to apply first to see if you are eligible.
How to Create BenefitsCal Account Summary
We hope this post on how to create BenefitsCal account 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
California P-EBT Extension for 2020/2021
How much will I get in CalFresh in 2021?
How to Complete CalFresh SAR 7 Form
$3,000 Stimulus Child Tax Credit for Families
