Is the BenefitsCal Provider Portal app safe for sharing CalFresh personal info?

The BenefitsCal app/portal is indeed the official website/app that replaced the old C4Yourself and MyBenefits CalWIN systems in 2021. It's legitimate and used by all 58 California counties for CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-Cal. I understand your concern about security - the app uses encryption to protect your data and is as secure as any government system can be. Through the app, you can: - Submit verification documents - Complete your SAR7 reports - Check benefit status - Update contact information - Complete recertification Just make sure you're downloading the official app from a legitimate app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) and not from some random link.

i dont trust none of these government apps neither!!! i had my information stolen before too and its HELL trying to fix. i still upload in person at the county office or use the drop box outside. takes longer but at least i know a real person got my papers

I was skeptical too but I've been using the BenefitsCal portal (mostly website, sometimes app) for almost 2 years now with no issues. The website seems more reliable than the app in my experience. A few tips: - After uploading docs, you'll get a confirmation number. SCREENSHOT THIS! - About 1-2 days after uploading, call your worker to confirm they received it - Keep the original documents for at least 90 days just in case - If uploading sensitive financial docs, use secured WiFi not public The system is definitely more efficient than mailing or dropping off documents. My recertification went through in 3 days last time versus the 2+ weeks it used to take.

When I tried calling about my documents after uploading to BenefitsCal, I couldn't get through to anyone! Just kept getting transferred or disconnected. So frustrating since I needed to confirm they received my SAR7 before the deadline. Finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the county in about 10 minutes. They showed me how to check document status directly in the portal too. Their video explains it better than I can: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their site is claimyr.com if you need to actually talk to someone about your documents.

jus wanna add that sum of my friends got scammed by fake calfresh apps... make SURE u get the right 1!!! official is called BenefitsCal Provider Portal. the real 1 never asks for payment info or anything weird like that

To answer your follow-up question - yes, the website version at BenefitsCal.com is often more stable than the app, especially on older phones. And it works on any browser. Regarding confirmation - yes, after uploading documents you should: 1. Get an immediate on-screen confirmation number 2. Check the "Documents" section of your account about 24-48 hours later to see if they show as "Received" 3. You can also check your message center in the portal for notifications If your documents don't show as received after 2 business days, that's when you should follow up with your county worker.

For what it's worth, I've had issues with both the app AND website versions during high traffic times (like at the beginning/end of months when everyone's submitting reports). If you're concerned about your SAR7 being on time, submit it earlier than the deadline if possible. The system allows submission up to 30 days before your due date. Also, after you upload documents, take a screenshot of EVERY page showing what you submitted. I've had workers claim they couldn't see all pages of my multi-page documents, but when I showed them my screenshots with the confirmation numbers, they magically "found" them.

@original poster - Yes, Claimyr works with all 58 California counties including Fresno. I used it for Sacramento County and it worked great. Saved me hours of being on hold.

I still dont trust these apps but yall making good points. Maybe ill try it for my next quarterly report. Anyone know if i can use the app just to check my benefit amount without uploading my personal info?

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who was also really hesitant about digital submissions. I'm in my 60s and not great with technology, but my daughter helped me set up the BenefitsCal website on my computer last year. It's honestly been a game-changer for me - no more waiting in long lines at the county office or worrying about whether my mailed documents got lost. The key things that made me feel safer: - I only use the official website (BenefitsCal.com), not random apps - I always log out completely when done - I save/print the confirmation pages for my records - My daughter showed me how to check that little lock symbol in the browser address bar I've submitted my SAR7 forms digitally 3 times now with no problems. The peace of mind from getting that instant confirmation number is worth it. Plus during COVID it was the only safe option anyway. Don't let fear of technology keep you from a system that actually works better than the old paper way!

I totally get your security concerns - it's smart to be cautious! I was in the same boat after hearing about data breaches everywhere. What helped me feel more confident was starting small with the BenefitsCal website (not the app initially). I just logged in to check my benefit balance first, then gradually got comfortable with uploading documents. One thing that really put me at ease was learning that the system is actually run by the California Department of Social Services directly, not some third-party contractor. It uses the same security standards as other government sites like the IRS or Social Security Administration. For your SAR7, I'd suggest using the website version on your laptop since you mentioned having an older phone. The desktop site tends to be more stable and you can easily save/print your confirmation pages. Just make sure you're going to the official BenefitsCal.com site and look for the "https://" and lock icon in your browser address bar. The time savings alone is worth it - my last document submission was processed within 48 hours versus the 2+ weeks it used to take through mail. Good luck with your SAR7!

I had the exact same worries when my caseworker first mentioned the BenefitsCal portal! After reading everyone's experiences here, I decided to give it a try last month and it went smoothly. Here's what helped me feel more secure: - I used a secure internet connection at home, not public wifi - Made sure to completely close my browser when finished - Took photos of all my documents with my phone before uploading, just as backup - Called my county office 2 days after uploading to confirm they received everything The website version worked much better than the app for me too. My documents showed up in their system within 24 hours and I got my recertification approved in under a week. Way faster than when I used to mail everything in! One tip: if you're still nervous, you could try uploading just one non-sensitive document first (like a utility bill) to test how the system works before submitting your more important financial paperwork. That's what I did and it helped build my confidence with the process.

I was in your exact same situation a few months ago - super paranoid about identity theft after my neighbor got scammed. What finally convinced me to try BenefitsCal was when I realized I was spending 3-4 hours every month just getting to the county office, waiting in line, and dealing with paperwork potentially getting lost. I started by just creating an account and checking my benefit status without uploading anything. Once I saw how the interface worked and felt comfortable navigating it, I uploaded my first document - just a simple address verification letter. Getting that confirmation number and seeing it show up as "received" in my account the next day was such a relief! Now I've been using it for 6 months and honestly can't imagine going back to the old way. The key things that made me feel secure were: using my home wifi (never public), always logging out completely, and keeping screenshots of every confirmation page. For your SAR7, I'd definitely recommend the website over the app - it's more stable and you can easily save your confirmation pages as PDFs. The peace of mind from instant confirmation that your documents were received is worth overcoming the initial nervousness. Good luck!