Moving to San Diego - confused about CalFresh & Medi-Cal application process!

Welcome to California! You'll need to apply once you're actually residing in San Diego. The good news is that CalFresh and Medi-Cal can be applied for at the same time through what's called a 'combined application.' You have several options: 1. Apply online through BenefitsCal.com (easiest method) 2. Visit any San Diego County Family Resource Center in person 3. Call the Access Customer Service Center at 1-866-262-9881 Make sure you have proof of identity, residency, income, and expenses ready. You'll get an EBT card for CalFresh and a Benefits Identification Card (BIC) for Medi-Cal if approved.

i moved to SD last yr and applied online its SO much easier than goin in person!! but FYI the website was glitchy on my phone, worked better on computer. also took like 3 weeks to get my EBT card after approval, so plan ahead for groceries

When I moved to San Diego, the county offices were IMPOSSIBLE to reach by phone!! I spent DAYS trying to get someone on the line about my Medi-Cal application and kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold for hours!!! So frustrating when you're trying to get healthcare set up. The system is BROKEN!!

Just to clarify some important points for when you move to San Diego: 1. CalFresh and Medi-Cal are indeed separate programs, but you can apply for both simultaneously through the same application portal (BenefitsCal). 2. You need to be a resident of California to apply, so wait until you've actually moved. For residency verification, you can use your lease agreement, utility bills, or other mail showing your San Diego address. 3. For identification, your out-of-state ID is acceptable initially, but you'll eventually need to get a California ID (within 10 days of becoming a resident according to DMV rules). 4. The income limits for 2025 are higher than previous years - for a single person, the gross monthly income limit for CalFresh is around $2,430 and for Medi-Cal it varies based on which program you qualify for. 5. San Diego County processing times are currently running about 30 days for CalFresh and up to 45 days for Medi-Cal applications.

Yes, San Diego County does require an interview for CalFresh, but they routinely conduct phone interviews these days. When you submit your application, you can request a phone interview and even indicate preferred times. If you miss their call, they'll send a notice with rescheduling information. Make sure your phone number is correct on the application and that you answer calls from unknown numbers during the processing period!

I moved to San Diego from Arizona last year and what nobody told me was that you also need to consider the SAR7 reporting requirements once you're on CalFresh. Every 6 months you have to submit this form about your income and household, and if you miss it, they cut off your benefits! I learned this the hard way lol. Just something to keep in mind after you get approved.

everyone here is making it sound so complicated lol just go to the family resource center on market street downtown thats where i went and they helped me fill everything out right there and i got approved for calfresh and calworks right away. bring your id and paystubs thats all you need really

One more important tip - when you apply for CalFresh in San Diego, you'll be automatically evaluated for the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) if you don't meet certain CalFresh eligibility requirements. The income limits and benefits are similar. Also, make sure to report any housing costs like rent and utilities during your application, as these can be deducted when calculating your benefit amount - potentially giving you more food benefits each month.

As someone who recently went through this process in San Diego, I wanted to add that you should also download the BenefitsCal mobile app once you get approved - it's really handy for checking your EBT balance and benefit status on the go. Also, if you're job hunting or have irregular income during your transition, make sure to report any income changes promptly to avoid overpayments. San Diego has several food pantries and community resources too if you need help while waiting for approval - places like Feeding San Diego have locations throughout the county. The whole process seemed overwhelming at first but it's totally manageable once you get started. Good luck with your move!