California Government Benefits
If you live in California, you may qualify for several government assistance programs. Below are the major California benefit programs — covering food assistance, health coverage, children's health insurance, and cash assistance — each with a plain-English guide to who qualifies and how to apply.
California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
How the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) works in 2025: up to $3,756 for workers earning $32,900 or less, who qualifies, and how to claim it on Form FTB 3514
Read guide →california-calfresh.html
CalFresh is California’s food assistance program (SNAP, food stamps). Learn who qualifies, how benefit amounts are determined, and how to apply for monthly food benefits
Read guide →CARE & FERA: California Energy Bill Discounts
CARE and FERA give income-qualified California households monthly discounts on energy bills: CARE offers 30–35% off electricity and 20% off gas; FERA offers 18% off elect
Read guide →Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid Program
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, offering free or low-cost health coverage to eligible low-income residents. Learn who qualifies and how to apply.
Read guide →Not sure which California programs you qualify for?
Many households qualify for more than one program at the same time. Benefit Guardian helps you check eligibility across all of them in a few minutes.
Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
What benefit programs are available in California?
California residents may qualify for several programs, including California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), california-calfresh.html, CARE & FERA: California Energy Bill Discounts, Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid Program. Eligibility depends on household size, income, and other factors.
How do I know if I qualify for benefits in California?
Each California program has its own income and eligibility rules. Benefit Guardian lets you check your likely eligibility across all of these programs in a few minutes.
Can I receive more than one California benefit at the same time?
Yes. Many households qualify for more than one program at once — for example, both Medicaid and SNAP. You can apply to each program you may be eligible for.
Are these California benefit programs free to apply for?
Yes. Applying for state and federal benefit programs in California is always free through the official state agencies. Benefit Guardian never charges to check your eligibility.