MediCal and CalFresh information

WHAT IS MediCal? WHO CAN RECEIVE MediCal?

The California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal or MediCal) is California’s Medicaid program serving low-income individuals, including: families, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care, pregnant women, and childless adults with incomes below 138% of federal poverty level. Benefits include ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, dental (DentiCal), vision, and long term care and supports.

HOW DO I APPLY?

We can enroll and renew qualified applicants in Medi-Cal at our Family Resource Center. Enrollment requires documentation of household income which must be at or below 138% of Federal Poverty level. Click here for MediCal Income Eligibility. Each person in an income qualifying household may be enrolled in MediCal as long as they have documentation of legal U.S. residency. NOTE: Not all household members need to be documented residents in order for the other income qualified and documented residents to qualify for assistance.

Because benefits are administered by the County, only a County eligibility worker can make the final decision if you qualify for benefits, and will notify you of your case status within 30 days. To enroll in or renew Medi-Cal, a Department of Social Services (DSS) eligibility worker is available at CCP Room 314 every Tuesday, 9am-3pm.*
*NOTE: during June and July 2019, DSS eligibility worker’s schedule will be 9am-noon.

To receive additional help, contact Angelica Ornelas, Family Liaison at the Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP), (805) 566-1611.

WHAT IS CalFresh? WHO CAN RECEIVE CalFresh?

On October 23, 2010 the California Department of Social Services introduced CalFresh, an inspiring new brand, name and design for the California food assistance program. The goal of the program is to be a stepping stone to an improved quality of life for Californians, by helping the entire state have access to healthy and nutritious foods.
CalFresh is a program funded by the USDA to help improve health and nutrition of families with low incomes. CalFresh can stretch food dollars, allowing families and individuals to buy more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and other healthy foods. Currently, 4.3 million Californians are enrolled in CalFresh.

CalFresh is for all types of people that fit within the eligibility guidelines. CalFresh is not only for mothers or families with children. Fathers, single adults, people with disabilities and seniors are also eligible for CalFresh. If a parent is ineligible, he or she can apply on behalf of his or her children.

HOW DOES CalFresh WORK?
CalFresh benefits are deposited monthly on an EBT card that works like a debit card with a pin. You can check the balance online or over the phone. Benefits can be used almost anywhere food is sold, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, stores like Target and Costco, some ethnic markets, and some farmer’s markets.

HOW MUCH CAN I RECEIVE IN CalFresh BENEFITS EACH MONTH?
The amount you can receive depends on your income, expenses, and family size. Most households with CalFresh get about $200 each month.

HOW CAN THE CARPINTERIA CHILDREN’S PROJECT (CCP) HELP?
The CCP leads the way in CalFresh outreach and application assistance in Carpinteria. We are helping to connect people who might be eligible for the program in the easiest way possible. We can help you complete the CalFresh application and submit it to the County electronically on your behalf. We then help guide you in the next steps to send your necessary documentation directly to the County without having to physically go to into the office. This is especially beneficial for those who are disabled, elderly, homebound or lack transportation or childcare and cannot go to the County office to apply.

To receive additional help, contact Angelica Ornelas, Family Liaison at CCP, (805) 566-1611.