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dont forget u can also use the YourBenefitsNow! website for LA county! its older but sometimes works when BenefitsCal is down. just google it
YourBenefitsNow is actually being phased out. They're moving everyone to BenefitsCal, so that might not work for much longer.
UPDATE: I got into BenefitsCal finally! Had to create a completely new account even though I already had one. Not sure why, but at least it worked. My documents are uploaded now. Thanks everyone for your help!
So glad you got it working! I'm pretty new to this whole CalFresh thing but this thread has been incredibly helpful. The fact that you had to make a completely new account is really strange - sounds like their system has some serious bugs. I'm definitely saving all the backup options people shared here, especially that email address for LA County and the mobile app. It's crazy that we need so many workarounds just to submit required documents, but I'm grateful this community exists to help navigate these frustrating systems!
That's awesome that you got it sorted! @Ella rollingthunder87 I m'new to this community but have been struggling with similar BenefitsCal issues. It s'so weird that creating a new account fixed it - their system must have some major glitches. This whole discussion has been super helpful though! I m'bookmarking all the backup methods everyone shared, especially the LA County email and that Claimyr service for getting through to workers faster. It s'really frustrating that we need so many workarounds just to submit basic paperwork on time, but I m'grateful for communities like this where people actually look out for each other!
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Emily, I just wanted to chime in as another SSDI recipient who successfully got CalFresh benefits! Your thread has been such a comprehensive resource - honestly, it should be pinned somewhere for future reference. I'm on SSDI ($2,100/month) and was initially told my income was "borderline" for CalFresh, but after properly applying all the deductions I was entitled to, I ended up qualifying for $134/month in benefits. The key for me was really pushing to make sure they counted EVERYTHING - medical expenses, transportation to appointments, and the full shelter deduction. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet: if you have any medical equipment costs (mobility aids, special dietary requirements, etc.), those can also count toward your medical deduction. I had to purchase a shower chair and grab bars after a fall, and those costs were accepted as medical expenses. Also, don't be surprised if your first benefit amount seems low initially. Sometimes they need a few months of expense documentation to get the full picture, and you can always request a recalculation if you have additional qualifying expenses. You're going into this so well-prepared thanks to this amazing community. Based on your rent and medical costs, you should absolutely qualify for substantial benefits. Good luck with your call tomorrow - we're all rooting for you!
Cedric, thank you so much for sharing your success story! It's incredibly encouraging to hear from someone with a similar SSDI amount who was able to qualify for meaningful benefits. $134/month would make such a difference in my food budget! Your point about medical equipment costs is really valuable - I actually did have to buy a shower chair and some bathroom safety equipment after my condition worsened last year, and I still have those receipts. I never would have thought those could count as medical expenses for CalFresh purposes. The tip about benefit amounts potentially starting low and then being adjusted as they get more documentation is helpful to know too. I was worried that whatever they calculated initially would be set in stone, but it makes sense that they might need time to properly account for all expenses. It's so reassuring to hear that even when you were told your income was "borderline," the proper deductions made all the difference. That's exactly what I'm hoping will happen with my case - my SSDI amount looked too high at first glance, but with all these deductions everyone has helped me identify, the math should work out much better. I'm calling first thing in the morning with all my documentation organized and feeling so much more confident thanks to advice from you and everyone else in this thread. This community has truly been amazing! I'll definitely update everyone on how it goes.
Emily, I just wanted to add my support as you head into your call tomorrow! This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through - the level of detailed advice and community support here is amazing. As someone who also navigated CalFresh while receiving disability benefits, I can tell you that your preparation is going to make all the difference. You've transformed from feeling confused and overwhelmed to having a comprehensive understanding of your rights and the deductions you're entitled to. One thing I'd suggest for tomorrow: have a pen and paper ready to take notes during the call, and don't hesitate to repeat back what the worker tells you to make sure you understand correctly. Something like "So just to confirm, you're applying the medical expense deduction of $265 and the shelter deduction of..." - this helps ensure nothing gets missed. Your situation with $1,950 SSDI, $1,400 rent, and $300+ medical expenses really should result in meaningful CalFresh benefits once all the proper deductions are applied. The community here has armed you with exactly the knowledge you need to advocate for yourself effectively. Best of luck tomorrow morning! This whole thread has become such a valuable resource for anyone dealing with CalFresh applications while on disability. Can't wait to hear your success story - you've got this! 💪
Mason, thank you so much for the encouragement and that great tip about taking notes and repeating back what the worker tells me! That's such a smart way to make sure nothing gets missed or misunderstood during the call. I'm definitely going to have a notepad ready and use that confirmation technique. It's amazing how much this thread has evolved from my initial confused question to becoming this comprehensive resource about CalFresh and disability benefits. Everyone's advice has been so specific and actionable - I feel like I've gotten better guidance here than I could have hoped for from multiple phone calls to official offices. I'm honestly feeling excited about tomorrow's call now, which is such a different emotion than the dread and confusion I started with. Having a clear understanding of all the deductions I should be getting and knowing that my case should work out mathematically has given me so much confidence. I'll definitely take detailed notes tomorrow and share exactly how the conversation goes with everyone here. Whether it's a smooth success story or if I hit any unexpected roadblocks, I want to document the real experience for anyone else who might be in a similar situation down the road. Thank you for being part of this incredibly supportive community! I'll update everyone as soon as I have news to share. 🙏
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To directly answer your original question with the most current information: as of January 2025, the highest GR/GA grant amounts in California counties are: 1. San Francisco: $619/month 2. Los Angeles: $347/month 3. Alameda: $336/month 4. Santa Clara: $326/month 5. San Mateo: $312/month Sacramento is around $245/month currently. But as everyone has pointed out, higher benefits often correlate with higher costs of living. The most important question is what's available in YOUR county that you might not be accessing yet.
Thank you for the specific numbers! That's exactly what I was looking for. After reading all the responses, I think I'll stay in Sacramento and try to find additional resources here rather than moving. The cost difference doesn't justify relocation.
Smart decision to stay in Sacramento! I've been through a similar situation and moving for benefits rarely works out financially. Since you're staying put, here are some Sacramento-specific resources you might not know about: 1. Sacramento County has a Rapid Rehousing program that can help with rent - call 211 and ask specifically about "coordinated entry" 2. The Food Bank of Sacramento County has mobile food pantries that come to different neighborhoods - you can get this ON TOP of your CalFresh 3. Sacramento has expanded the Restaurant Meals Program for CalFresh - you can use your EBT card at participating restaurants if you're homeless, elderly, or disabled 4. Look into the Sacramento Works program - they sometimes have emergency financial assistance for people between jobs Also, when you apply for GR in Sacramento, ask about the "unemployable" determination if your health issues are documented. If they classify you as unemployable, the GR becomes a grant instead of a loan, meaning you don't have to pay it back later. Good luck with everything!
This is incredibly helpful, thank you @Ashley Simian! I had no idea about the mobile food pantries or the Restaurant Meals Program being available in Sacramento now. That would be a game-changer for me since my shared kitchen situation makes cooking really difficult. The "unemployable" determination is really interesting too. I have some documented health issues but never thought they might qualify me for that status. Do you know what kind of documentation they typically require? Is it just medical records or do you need a specific doctor's statement? I'm definitely going to call 211 about the coordinated entry program. Housing assistance would make the biggest difference in my situation right now.
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Just wanted to jump in as someone who recently went through the Sacramento County housing assistance process! One additional tip that really helped me was to create a simple timeline document showing your current housing situation, move-out deadline, new job start date, and when you need assistance by. Having this visual timeline ready when you call any of the programs makes it super easy for case workers to understand your urgency and helps them determine which expedited tracks you might qualify for. Also, when you do secure assistance, make sure to get confirmation in writing (email is fine) that you can forward to your landlord showing the payment is approved and processing - this can buy you extra time if there are any delays. The fact that you're being so proactive about this and have employment starting soon really works in your favor. Sacramento County genuinely wants to help people who are taking steps toward stability rather than just needing ongoing support. You've got a solid plan with all the resources everyone shared - I'm rooting for you to get that room!
That timeline document idea is genius! I wouldn't have thought of creating a visual representation but that makes total sense - it would help case workers quickly see the whole situation and understand why timing is critical. I'm going to put together a simple one-page timeline tonight showing my current temporary housing situation, the room availability, my job start date, and the deadline I'm working with. Having written confirmation to show the landlord is such a smart tip too - even if there are small delays, being able to prove that payment is approved and in process could make all the difference in keeping them willing to wait. I'm really feeling optimistic about this whole process now thanks to everyone's advice. It's amazing how much more manageable this seems when you have a clear strategy and know exactly which programs to contact. Thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing what worked in your experience - it really helps to hear from someone who recently navigated this successfully!
I just want to say how incredible this thread has been to follow! As someone who works with housing assistance programs in other California counties, I'm impressed by how comprehensive and accurate all the advice has been. Freya, you're so lucky to have found this community - the combination of specific program names, phone numbers, timelines, and strategic tips everyone shared is basically a masterclass in navigating Sacramento County's assistance system. The advice about applying to multiple programs simultaneously, having all documentation ready upfront, using specific language like "at imminent risk of homelessness," and creating a timeline document is spot-on. You've gone from a single question about CalFresh to having a detailed action plan with multiple backup options. That's exactly the kind of proactive approach that gets results with these programs. Wishing you the best of luck with all your applications tomorrow - with this level of preparation and the resources everyone identified, I'm confident you'll find a solution that works!
Thank you so much Tobias! You're absolutely right - this community has been incredible and I feel so grateful for everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences. When I first posted, I honestly thought CalFresh directly provided housing assistance and had no idea about all these different programs and resources. Now I have a whole list of specific programs to contact, phone numbers to call, documentation to prepare, and strategic approaches to take. It's like having a personal guide through what seemed like an impossible system just yesterday! I'm going to start making calls first thing tomorrow morning armed with all this information. Even if this particular room doesn't work out, I now understand how to navigate Sacramento County's assistance programs effectively for future opportunities. This thread is going to help so many other people who find themselves in similar situations - thank you everyone for creating such a valuable resource! I'll definitely update once I hear back from some of these programs.
Sofia Rodriguez
my cousin got a personal injury settlement last year and that didnt count toward her calfresh because it was one-time money not regular income
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Amara Okafor
Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if you're getting financial aid for school, make sure to keep documentation of what's specifically for tuition/books vs. what might be considered "living expenses" in your financial aid package. I learned this the hard way when my community college's financial aid office included some living allowance money that DID count as income, even though the rest of my Pell Grant didn't. The CalFresh worker was really helpful in breaking down my award letter to figure out what was excludable and what wasn't. Good luck with your application!
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Madison Tipne
•That's such a great point about financial aid! I didn't even think about the difference between tuition/books money vs living expenses. My financial aid package does have some money labeled as "living allowance" - do you remember roughly what percentage of your aid counted as income? I'm trying to get an idea of how much this might affect my eligibility calculation.
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