Cal Benefits Check

Answer a few questions to see which programs you and your household may qualify for.

This tool screens for 5 programs: CalFresh (food assistance), CalWORKs (cash aid), Medi-Cal (health coverage), CMSP (county health), and Covered California (marketplace insurance).

If you are looking to qualify for General Assistance/General Relief, please contact your county directly, as each county has their own eligibility rules and requirements.

Disclaimer: This is an estimation tool only. It provides estimates of likely eligibility based on the information you enter. Actual eligibility is determined by your county human services agency after a full application, interview and other necessary verifications are provided. Benefit amounts may differ.

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1Household

Everyone who lives and buys/makes food together

2Monthly Expenses

Childcare, care for a family member with a disability

$

Court-ordered child support you pay

$

Of the total unearned income you entered above, how much is child support received for any child in the household? For CalWORKs, the first $100 (1 child) or $200 (2+ children) of this amount is disregarded automatically.

$

Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35/month for elderly or disabled members

$

Medicare Part B, supplement plans, dental, vision — monthly out-of-pocket premiums (used for non-MAGI Medi-Cal share of cost calculation)

$
Housing situation
$
Utilities you pay

Select the type that best describes your situation

3Current Coverage and Status

IHSS pays a caregiver (who can be a family member) to help with everyday tasks like bathing, cooking, and cleaning for people who are elderly, blind, or have a disability.

4Health Coverage Options

This affects how your income is counted. Nursing home and in-home care programs have special rules, especially for married couples.

5What You Own

List what your household owns. Some programs have limits on assets. Leave blank or $0 for anything you don't have.

Burial funds are exempt: an irrevocable burial trust or prepaid burial contract is fully exempt, and a revocable burial fund up to $1,500 plus accrued interest per person is also exempt for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal. You do not need to enter these amounts as resources.

Other exempt resources — do not enter: CalKIDS college savings accounts, ScholarShare 529 accounts, ABLE accounts (for individuals with disabilities), and federally protected retirement accounts (such as IRAs and 401(k)s while held by their owner).

What counts as a resource for Medi-Cal? (Learn more)

For applicants who do not qualify under MAGI rules, the Department of Health Care Services publishes the official property limits, exemptions, and rules in MC Information Notice 007. This notice covers principal residence rules, vehicle exemptions, retirement accounts, burial funds, life insurance, business property, and special rules for long-term care and spousal impoverishment.

View official DHCS Notice MC 007 (English PDF)

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Total countable resources$0