Government Benefits in California

66 assistance programs available to California residents — 53 federal programs and 13 state-administered programs across 12 categories. Use the quiz to find which ones you may qualify for.

66

Total programs

53

Federal

13

State-administered

12

Categories

Medicaid in California: Expanded

California expanded Medicaid (called Medi-Cal) in 2014. In 2024 California extended full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status, making it the only state with comprehensive coverage for undocumented adults.

Benefits in California

California operates one of the most extensive benefits systems in the country. SNAP is called CalFresh in California, and the state supplements federal SNAP with outreach and enrollment assistance through county social services offices. California's Medi-Cal covers more than 14 million people — roughly one in three Californians. The state also operates CalWORKs (its TANF program), Section 8 through dozens of local housing authorities, and CalEITC (a state earned income credit that adds to the federal EITC).

Local SNAP name: CalFresh

Main agency: California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

Not sure which programs you qualify for?

Our free quiz asks a few questions and shows a personalized list of benefits you may be eligible for in California.

Take the Benefits Quiz