California has benefits most families don't know they qualify for
A free, 3-minute screening checks your eligibility for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, tax credits, and 20+ other California programs. No SSN required. No account needed.
Check What I Qualify Forof families who screened qualified for at least one program
max annual CalFresh benefit for a family of 4 in California
federal and state programs checked in one screening
What California residents could qualify for
These are real programs with real dollar amounts. Your results depend on your household, but here's what's available.
CalFresh
Up to $1,023/mo
Food assistance for families earning under $5,500/mo (family of 4)
Medi-Cal
Worth $6,000–$14,000/yr
Free healthcare for adults earning under $45,540/yr (family of 4)
Utility Bill Relief
Up to $1,500/yr
LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling costs for qualifying households
Covered California
$400–$800/mo savings
Premium tax credits can significantly reduce monthly health insurance costs
Plus tax credits, childcare subsidies, WIC, SSI, veterans' benefits, and more. Our screener checks 20+ programs at once.
How it works
Three steps. Three minutes. No strings attached.
Answer a few questions
Basic info about your household and income. No SSN, no documents, no account needed.
See your California results
Get a personalized list of programs you likely qualify for, with estimated dollar amounts.
Apply through official portals
We link you directly to California's official application sites.
Mixed-status households welcome. We check eligibility for each member separately.
California programs at a glance
Income limits and details for the major programs available to California residents.
Medi-Cal (Medicaid)
California has expanded Medicaid
Adults earning under $22,025/yr (individual) may qualify
Children: families earning under $87,780/yr (family of 4)
Pregnant: earning under $51,391/yr
CalFresh (SNAP)
Family of 4 earning under $66,000/yr (gross) may qualify
Individual earning under $31,920/yr may qualify
Max benefit: $1,023/mo (family of 4)
Higher income limits available through Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance)
Up to $1,500/yr for heating and cooling costs
Income limit: 60% of State Median Income ($79,813/yr for a family of 4)
Child Care Assistance
Subsidized childcare for working families
Income limit to start: $115,637/yr for a family of 4, from California's own chart
CalWORKs (Cash Assistance)
Cash assistance for families with children
Lifetime limit: 60 months
WIC (Nutrition)
About $80/mo in groceries per participant
For pregnant women, new moms, and children under 5
Income limit: 185% of Federal Poverty Level
Covered California
State-based marketplace
Premium tax credits can save $400-$800+/mo on coverage
Phone: 1-800-300-1506
SSI / SSDI
California adds a state supplement for people 65 or older living in their own home
State supplement: $239.94/mo on top of federal SSI
Don't leave money on the table
Most California families qualify for at least one program. The screening is free, private, and takes 3 minutes.
Check What I Qualify ForFree for all 50 states. No account required.
California Benefits Guides
In-depth articles about programs in California
ACA Office Locations in California 2026: Covered CA Walk-In Help
There is no walk-in ACA office in California. Here is where to get free in-person Covered California help, plus county offices and clinic options.
October 24, 2026
California ACA Income Limits 2026: Covered California Guide
California ACA income limits for 2026: Covered California subsidy thresholds by household size, the 400% FPL cliff, state premium subsidy, and how to apply.
October 24, 2026
California SNAP Calculator 2026: CalFresh Benefit Estimates
Estimate your monthly CalFresh (SNAP) benefit in California. Current allotments, California deductions, worked examples by household size and income.
October 24, 2026
California LIHEAP 2026: Income Limits and How to Apply by County
How to apply for LIHEAP in California in 2026: 60% SMI income limits, HEAP and ECIP crisis benefits, documents needed, and finding your county provider.
October 12, 2026
California Disability Wait Times 2026: SSDI Timeline by Stage
California SSDI claims average about 222 days for an initial decision in 2026. See wait times at every stage, what causes delays, and how to speed yours up
October 7, 2026
SSDI Payments in California 2026: Average and Maximum Amounts
SSDI pays the same in California as anywhere else. Here is the 2026 average, the maximum, how CA SDI offsets your check, and what CA does not add.
September 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What government benefits am I eligible for in California?
California residents may qualify for programs including Medi-Cal (Medicaid), CalFresh (food assistance), LIHEAP energy assistance, childcare subsidies, tax credits like EITC and CTC, and more. Eligibility depends on your household size, income, and other factors. Use our free screener to check all programs at once.
How do I apply for Medi-Cal in California?
You can apply for Medi-Cal online at https://www.coveredca.com/apply/ or by calling 1-800-541-5555. California has expanded Medicaid, so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify.
How do I apply for CalFresh (food stamps) in California?
Apply for CalFresh online at https://benefitscal.com or call 800-952-5253. California uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, so the gross income limit is 200% of the federal poverty level. A household that qualifies this way does not have to pass the separate net income test, though its benefit is still figured from net income.