# Benefit Buddi

> California benefits calculator for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and Covered California. (iPhone/iPad app by Gerber Ting.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/benefit-buddi/id6760977826 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Gerber Ting](https://appshunter.io/developer/1887103438)
- Category: Finance, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 36 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2026-03-23
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/benefit-buddi/id6760977826/reviews.md

## What is Benefit Buddi?

Here's the rewritten description. I kept the structure and voice but fixed two false claims: the "no data stored anywhere" line in the intro, and the much larger problem — the whole "Your privacy is protected" section that explicitly says "Nothing is collected, stored, or shared. Ever." That section is an outright rejection risk because it directly contradicts your App Privacy declaration.
Copy this replacement Description:
Benefit Buddy — California Benefits Calculator

Not sure if you qualify for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Covered California? Benefit Buddy gives you a clear estimate in minutes — no sign-up, no account required.

Just answer a few simple questions about your household and income, and we'll show you what you may qualify for and how much you could receive.

What Benefit Buddy estimates:
- CalFresh (food assistance) — monthly benefit amount
- Medi-Cal (health coverage) — eligibility check
- Covered California — health plan options and subsidies

Built for California's communities:

Available in English, Español, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt, فارسی, 한국어, 日本語, and 中文 — because everyone deserves answers in the language they're most comfortable with.

Built for community college students:

If you're a student, Benefit Buddy helps you understand the CalFresh student rule and flags when your college's basic needs office can help you get a waiver. You can choose to have your basic needs office contact you directly to support your application.

Privacy:

You don't need an account to use Benefit Buddy. We only collect what you voluntarily provide. If you opt in to have your college's basic needs office contact you, we share your email with that office to enable the handoff. We also collect anonymous session data (eligibility outcomes, household size, income range) to improve the app and report on community impact to our partners. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Free. Always.

Benefit Buddy is completely free to use. No ads, no subscriptions, no catch.

Benefit Buddy provides estimates only and is not affiliated with any government agency. Results are not a guarantee of benefits. Please apply through your county office for official determination.

## Key features

- CalFresh benefit estimation
- Medi-Cal eligibility check
- Covered California plan options
- Multilingual support
- Student-specific guidance
- No account required


## Frequently asked questions about Benefit Buddi

### What California benefits can Benefit Buddi estimate?

Benefit Buddi can estimate your potential monthly benefit amount for CalFresh (food assistance), check your eligibility for Medi-Cal (health coverage), and show you health plan options and subsidies through Covered California.

### Does Benefit Buddi require an account to use?

No, Benefit Buddi does not require an account or sign-up to use. You can get an estimate by answering a few simple questions about your household and income.

### Is Benefit Buddi available in multiple languages?

Yes, Benefit Buddi is available in English, Español, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt, فارسی, 한국어, 日本語, and 中文 to serve a diverse user base.

### How does Benefit Buddi help community college students?

For students, Benefit Buddi helps explain the CalFresh student rule and identifies when your college's basic needs office can assist with a waiver. You can opt to have your college's basic needs office contact you directly for application support.

### What kind of data does Benefit Buddi collect?

Benefit Buddi collects only what you voluntarily provide. If you opt-in for college contact, your email is shared with that office. Anonymous session data (eligibility outcomes, household size, income range) is collected to improve the app and report community impact.

### Is Benefit Buddi affiliated with any government agencies?

Benefit Buddi provides estimates only and is not affiliated with any government agency. Results are not a guarantee of benefits, and you must apply through your county office for an official determination.

### How often is Benefit Buddi updated?

The latest version is 1.1.5, and the app was last updated on April 22, 2026. Updates typically focus on improving the app and reporting community impact.

### What devices does Benefit Buddi support?

Benefit Buddi is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.1.5 — 2026-04-22

Now built for community college students:

- Tell us how many units you're enrolled in for more accurate CalFresh eligibility
- Many students don't know the "student rule" has waivers — we'll flag when your college's basic needs office can help get you one
- Opt in to have your campus basic needs office contact you directly

Plus backend reliability improvements.

### 1.1.0 — 2026-03-26

Now supporting California, New York, and Washington.

New state-aware forms library with 40 state-specific application forms, renewal documents, and checklists.

Dedicated ZIP code screen for instant state detection - enter your ZIP and the app automatically finds programs in your area.

Improved navigation with back buttons on all intake screens.

Benefits guide, income limits table, and office finder are now tailored to your state.

Bug fixes, accuracy improvements, and language consistency across all 8 supported languages.

### 1.0 — 2026-03-23

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*
