📍 California Benefits Resources · 7 Programs · Updated May 2026

California Benefits Resources

Free bilingual guides to help you understand eligibility for California's major safety net programs. Over 14 million Californians qualify for at least one — most don't know it.

7 Programs covered
14M+ Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal alone
30 sec To check all programs at once
Free No account, no PII collected

All 6 Major Programs

Each guide covers eligibility rules, 2026 income limits, how to apply, and answers to common questions — in English and Spanish.

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Medi-Cal Health Coverage
Free or low-cost health insurance for California residents at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. Covers doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, and vision.
✦ 15.7M Californians enrolled
Check Eligibility →
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CalFresh Food Assistance
Monthly EBT benefits for groceries. Households at or below 200% FPL (gross) may qualify. The average benefit is $187/month per person.
✦ 5.5M Californians enrolled
Check Eligibility →
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CalWORKs Cash Assistance
Monthly cash aid and job training for families with children. Region 1 MAP: $1,166/month (family of 3). Region 2: $1,107/month. Includes childcare support.
✦ 500K+ families assisted
Check Eligibility →
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WIC Nutrition Program
Monthly food benefits for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5. Covers formula, produce, dairy, whole grains, and more.
✦ 1.2M Californians enrolled
Check Eligibility →
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Section 8 Housing Vouchers
Federal rental assistance for households earning below 50% of Area Median Income. You pay 30% of income toward rent — HUD covers the rest directly to landlords.
✦ 300K+ CA vouchers active
Check Eligibility →
CARE & FERA Energy Discounts
Utility bill discounts from PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas. CARE: 30-35% electricity + 20% gas discount. FERA: 18% electricity for households of 3+.
✦ 4.5M+ CA households enrolled
Check Eligibility →

Check All Programs at Once

Answer 4 quick questions — household size, income, county, and whether you have children. See every program you likely qualify for in under 30 seconds.

Run the Free Screener →

Programs That Stack

Enrolling in one program often automatically qualifies you for others. Here's what connects.

Medi-Cal → CalFresh & WIC

If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you are categorically eligible for WIC and likely qualify for CalFresh (if your income meets the 200% FPL gross threshold). Apply for Medi-Cal first — it unlocks both.

CalFresh → CARE Energy Discount

Active CalFresh enrollment automatically qualifies your household for the CARE electricity and gas discount — no separate income check required. Contact your utility to switch on the discount.

Medi-Cal, CalFresh, WIC, CalWORKs → CARE

Enrollment in any of these four programs automatically qualifies you for the CARE energy discount. This is called categorical eligibility — your income was already verified when you enrolled.

Section 8 → CARE

Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher recipients also qualify for CARE regardless of income. If you have a voucher and a utility account in your name, you can enroll in CARE directly with your utility provider.

California Benefits Overview

Not sure which program to start with? The full benefits guide explains how all programs relate, income limit comparisons across programs, and what to apply for first.

Read the Benefits Overview Guide →