www.mybenefitscalwin.org : MyBenefits CalWIN – Department Human Assistance

MyBenefits In order to apply for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWORKs, you can use the streamlined and user-friendly CalWIN (BCW) system.

It is imperative that you provide as much information as possible when applying for CalFresh online. In the following step, you will be contacted for a telephone interview. Submitting your Medi-Cal application via mail is standard procedure. You can submit a single application for both positions, and if you’re selected for an interview, it will be conducted over the phone. No in-person appearance is required for these applications; everything can be handled over the mail. To apply for CalWORKs (Cash aid for families), you must first schedule an intake interview at our office.

For some applications, BCW is not an option. If you are applying for General Assistance, the County Medically Indigent Treatment Program, are homeless, or are under 21 years old living with your parents and requesting confidential medical services under Medi-Cal without their knowledge, you cannot utilise this system. To apply, please visit our physical location. More information is available by selecting “Contact Us” on the BCW displays.

CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income and provides economic benefits to communities. CalFresh is the largest food program in California and provides an essential hunger safety net. CalFresh is federally mandated and in California, is state-supervised and county-operated.

CalFresh benefits can help buy nutritious foods for a better diet. CalFresh benefits stretch food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including more fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on household size countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities. The program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Food may be purchased at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT cards.

CalFresh is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table

Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients!

Beginning June 1, 2019, recipients of SSI/SSP benefits may be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits for the first time! There is no change to the SSI/SSP monthly benefit.

Here’s how CalFresh works

Submit an application

We’ll guide you step by step. This should take about 10 minutes.

Submit proof of your situation.

This includes documents like your ID, paystubs, or rent receipts. You can do this during your application or come back to this website any time in the next 30 days.

If your county has any questions, they will call you.

A worker may call if they need more information or clarification.

Get money for groceries.

If approved, you’ll get an EBT card with money for groceries within 30 days.

Information about P-EBT

P-EBT is a federal program that provides food benefits to help families. Young children (aged 0-6) are eligible if they got CalFresh Food. School age children are eligible if they qualify for free or reduced-price school meals for School Year 2020-21 and were assumed to have attended school via distance learning at least some of that time.

I need food now. Where can I get it?

For immediate food assistance, find your local food bank. You can also call 2-1-1, a resource helpline for referrals for childcare, affordable housing or shelter, cash assistance, healthcare and more.

How quickly will I get benefits?

Your county has 30 days to approve or deny your case. Some people with very low income can get expedited services, and their cases should be processed in 3 days. Because of the pandemic, counties are receiving a higher volume of applications than normal. It may take longer than usual to hear back. If it’s been more than two weeks and you haven’t gotten any mail or phone calls from your county, or you want to contact your county office, you can find their phone number here.

I just lost my job – how does that affect my application for CalFresh?

You can definitely apply for CalFresh if you just lost your job. If your income recently stopped, your county will only count any final payments you got in the last 30 days to calculate how much CalFresh you will receive in the first month. If you still have any income, your ongoing benefits will be based only on that income, not income that has stopped. You should provide proof of any money you got in the last 30 days if you can.

It isn’t required, but it can be helpful to provide any proof you have that your income has stopped. This could be a letter, or a screenshot of an email or text from your employer that explains that you are no longer working. If you can’t get proof, write a letter that explains that you aren’t working. Make sure to include the last date you worked, and sign and date it.

What documents should I submit with my application?

The documents you need to submit depends on your situation. When you apply on GetCalFresh.org, you will be given a list of recommended documents to submit. These documents are usually required to get CalFresh:

• A copy of your ID
• Proof of any income
• Proof of immigration status (for non-citizens)
• Proof of student status (for college students)

These documents are optional but can increase your benefit amount:

• Proof of housing expenses
• Proof of child support that you pay
• Proof of child/dependent care that you pay for
• If you are 60+ or disabled, proof of medical expenses.

If you can’t get proof, the CalFresh office will generally accept a written statement explaining your situation – make sure it is signed and dated. Submitting all of your documents with the application can help you skip the interview (through August) and get approved more quickly.