Why California Students Should Apply For Benefits – The Rampage Online

As the cost of necessities continues to rise, many students are struggling with tuition, food, and basic health care coverage. Programs like SNAP and state medical benefits are designed to help low-income individuals, including college students. Still, many students don’t know much about these benefits or realize they meet the eligibility requirements for California benefits.

Some students may even skip meals or delay medical care coverage to avoid out-of-pocket costs. Ricardo Castellanos, a third-year student at Fresno City College, said that growing up, his family has always used SNAP and medical benefits. But recently, as he has gotten older, he has realized the importance of being able to get his own food for himself and his family, so he applied for SNAP.    

“I applied for SNAP and got it pretty quickly, probably two and a half weeks, and it usually takes longer. It helps me with separating the money I make to pay for classes and bills from things I need like food and health care,” Castellanos said.

Benefits Cal provides SNAP (CalFresh), Cash Aid and Medi-Cal coverage to anyone eligible. BenefitsCal.com  is Fresno County’s online service portal, where a variety of programs for food, money, and healthcare assistance are available to help students stay in school while also navigating day-to-day life.

According to the student center section of the Benefits Cal website, CAL Fresh benefits are provisional funds transferred on an electronic card called an EBT card or SNAP card, which looks and functions like a debit card. It can be used at most grocery stores, for online orders and at farmers’ markets to buy produce.

“I know a lot of students have been told this a lot, but I believe everyone should apply for CalFresh. If you work and have to take some money out for food, EBT is a resource right there for you. Same with Medi-Cal, you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay medical bills or prescriptions if you have medi-cal,” Castellanos said.

There is one application for all three programs at the bottom of the student center section of BenefitsCal.com . Applicants should allow themselves 30 to 60 minutes to complete the application and provide as much information as possible in one sitting to speed up the application process.

If applicants create an account, they can save their information and return to the application later to finish if needed. Benefits Cal reminds applicants to be prepared to share accurate information about the money they earn, the things they pay for, and the things they own.

Applicants will not need to upload documents to apply. Benefits Cal will let applicants know what documents they will need to provide later on in the process. The list of documents applicants will need to submit later includes a Driver’s license, state ID card, or student ID card. They will also need to include proof of income, such as pay stubs, and, if not employed, applicants must mention the unemployment benefits they receive. Finally, applicants will also need to provide proof of expenses, such as Medi-Cal costs or child care.

Benefits Cal will then review the application and reach out to the applicant to schedule an interview. For Cal Fresh, Cal Works or cash aid, applicants can choose between an in-person or phone interview. The interview should take about an hour, according to BenefitsCal.com. 

If applying for Medi-Cal, applicants will not need to be interviewed.

Castellanos said Cal benefits have helped him, even while working during school. Before, when money became tight for Castellanos, he said he would do lots of side jobs, like mowing neighbors’ yards or cleaning the houses of people who attended his church.

When Castellanos first applied for SNAP benefits, he was nervous while awaiting his qualifications because he worried about being rejected.  

“It can be more stressful than people think. The anticipation, if they say no, I think that is what hurts the most when you’re trying to feed yourself and your family,” Castellanos said.  

However, getting groceries and healthcare is easier than many California college students think, depending on their situation. An application at BenefitsCal.com can give students access to CalFresh, even if they think they won’t qualify.

The amount you receive depends on your income and household size. A single student can get up to $250 a month for groceries, and those with roommates or family may qualify for more.

CalFresh eligibility also depends on factors such as your student status and residency. These “Student Exemptions” are explained in detail on the Benefits Cal website.

Applicants may qualify if they are under 21 years old, but must apply on the same basis as a parent. If over 49, they may qualify as an elder. They can be enrolled less than half-time, be a single parent, or be working at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month.

Medi-Cal is also a beneficial program available to applicants in California, especially students. Though Medi-Cal eligibility depends on a few factors, including your income, other expenses, and household size, Lindsay Harris, the program supervisor at the Fresno County Department of Social Services, who oversees community engagement, said it’s based on those factors. 

Harris said Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid and is available to anyone; it just depends on your age, who is in your household for tax purposes, your citizenship status and your income level.

“There is a lot that plays into what you can be eligible for. If you’re a student by yourself and you’re filing taxes alone, then you can have your own Medi-Cal coverage. However, if you’re part of your family plan still or your parent or guardian still claims you as a dependent, then that becomes a factor as well,” Harris said.

Harris said there is also additional coverage for students under the age of 21. This includes mental health services, if a student needs to see a counselor, if they need substance disorder treatment, STD treatment, if they have been assaulted and need treatment, and pregnancy treatment services. 

Cynthia Ortiz, a second-year student at Fresno City College majoring in public law and policy, is a parent of children with severe conditions. She said Medi-Cal is a relief now that she is fully covered.

“I was overwhelmed with my two kids having severe allergies and severe skin disease. Medi-Cal covered a lot of the cost, and that is why I sought it out,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz said she used her coverage to speak with specialists and professionals who have experience with the severe conditions her children face like sinus and asthma. She also said Medi-Cal helped her significantly reduce the cost of EpiPens and other expenses.

“It was easy the first time I actually used Medi-Cal benefits; they have a lot of different departments, and I was directed to Clinica Sierra Vista by Medi-Cal, where they have a whole bunch of different clinics,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz said above all, Medi-Cal has helped her as a student and parent because at the moment she is on disability, and it helps her children get the medical care they need. She said students like herself should still apply even if they don’t qualify, because there are other programs that Medi-Cal will refer you to, and she said she knows that firsthand because that is how she received the help she needed too.   

Harris said she encourages all students to apply with all the documents they can provide. She said the worst that can happen is your application is denied, but many don’t know they qualify until they try.

“There are so many little exemptions. I don’t expect every student to have everything ahead of time, but I just tell people if you need food or health services, then apply, and then we will do our job on our end and let you know if you’re eligible,” Harris said.

Students can create an account and apply on the Benefits Cal website at benefitscal.com , other FAQs and other services are also available at the bottom of the webpage.