Applying for CalFresh online
Food for People’s Outreach team is available to help you with the CalFresh application process, including help with the online application. Please reach out to our team if you would like help starting an application or recertification, or if you reach a challenge in doing it yourself.
This page has links to videos that explain how to do some of the most common processes in BenefitsCal yourself.
Click on any of the following links to watch short videos that walk you through how to…
Apply for CalFresh benefits
You don’t need to create a BenefitsCal account to apply for CalFresh, but it’s helpful so you can access other features.
The application summary screen shows you each step of the application process and where you are in it.
Click “start” to begin your application.
Answer the questions on each screen and click “next” to continue.
Make sure you select the correct county that you live in, so that your application is sent to the correct county office to be processed.
Provide your contact information when asked, and select whether you’d like email or text alerts about your application.
Select which benefits you’d like to apply for.
Answer the income and expenses questions for members of the household.
Uploading documents is optional at this point in the process. You do not have to do it now, if you don’t have any documents ready to upload, but you will need to provide those documents later in the process. If you create a BenefitsCal account, you can log back in to upload at any time. Food for People’s Outreach team can help you with this too.
After submitting the application, save the submission receipt.
Upload Documents
Starting at the customer dashboard, scroll down to the “What else would you like to do?” section and select “Upload a document.”
In the Document Center, click “Upload a Document.”
Enter a few details about the document, including your case number, who the document is for, and what type of document it is. Then click “Select Files.”
On the Document Detail screen, click “Select Files” and select your file. You can also click “Select Another File” to add additional documents. When done, click “Upload Document” at the bottom of the screen.
Text, email, or print the confirmation receipt for your records.
Click “Back to Document Center,” where you can see receipts for documents you have uploaded in your Upload History.
CalFresh Recertification
In California, most households have a 12 month recertification period. Households with seniors age 60+ or disabled members have a 24-month recertification period. Households that only have seniors age 60+ or disabled members and NO earned income (from a job) are certified for 36 months.
After logging into BenefitsCal, the dashboard will display “Submit Recertification” under “Things to Do.” This section lists items that are due soon.
Select “Begin.”
There will be a Recertification Summary screen to show you the process. Click “Your Information” to start.
Add current contact information and click “Next.”
Continue answering questions and clicking “Next”
You can authorize someone to help you with your CalFresh case (an authorized representative).
Review summary of changes and then click “Next” and “Start the next section.” Keep doing this for each section.
In the document upload section, there is a list of suggested documents. You do not have to upload anything now in order to continue, but it does help process the application faster. You can also log back in to upload at any time. Food for People’s Outreach team can help you with this too.
Enter first and last name and today’s date and check the checkbox to sign the application electronically. Click “Submit Signature.”
Click “Submit” again to finish. Your recertification is complete! You can save the receipt to text, email, or print.
Click the “Start Your Recertification” link to get started.
Your county will reach out to schedule an interview for recertification and then will let you know if you qualify for another year.