CalFresh Access Update: Navigating BenefitsCal for College Students
California has transitioned from GetCalFresh.org to BenefitsCal.com, a unified platform for applying to and managing CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs benefits. This transition streamlines how students and staff access, track, and support essential benefits while improving coordination between campuses and county agencies.
For Student Services Staff
- To assist and track student progress, staff must now register as a Community-Based Organization (CBO)within BenefitsCal. This designation allows colleges to view limited case information, verify documentation, and follow up with county offices more effectively.
- Staff can visit the CHC BenefitsCal Support Page to register, access guidance documents, and join live office-hour sessions.
- Familiarize yourself with the demo environment to practice navigating the new system before supporting students directly.
For Students
- Students can apply for food assistance, health coverage, and cash aid directly at BenefitsCal.com.
- The platform allows users to upload verification documents, check application status, and renew benefits online.
- Students are encouraged to reach out to their campus basic needs center or CalFresh coordinator for help creating an account or troubleshooting application issues. You can also watch user videos to help you navigate the process.
This statewide update, led by the Center for Healthy Communities (CHC), is part of California’s effort to simplify benefits access and ensure every eligible student has reliable support for food, health, and housing security. For ongoing assistance, colleges can connect with the CHC Support Desk, which hosts live office hours to help campuses troubleshoot technical issues, navigate the CBO registration process, and address any access barriers students may encounter when using BenefitsCal.
Key Topics: Supporting Student Mental Health
Intended Audience: Faculty, Staff & Administrators
Resource Types: Websites (interactive portals, online communities, external platforms)