We all know a neighbor, a friend, or a family member who has fallen on hard times financially for a variety of reasons. It might even be you. With a fluctuating economy and an over-saturated job market of potential employees, providing for a family often means living paycheck to paycheck, these days.
As we're a board of seven local moms, we've noticed a common theme in posts throughout the mom groups we are a part of collectively. Many of our fellow parents and friends don't know where or how to go about applying for government aid or resources that may make all the difference in their quality of life. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, so we've researched a few programs that everyone should 1) know about, and 2) know how to go about applying for. Below you'll find links and resources for programs ranging from Food Stamps to Child Care assistance.
As we're a board of seven local moms, we've noticed a common theme in posts throughout the mom groups we are a part of collectively. Many of our fellow parents and friends don't know where or how to go about applying for government aid or resources that may make all the difference in their quality of life. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, so we've researched a few programs that everyone should 1) know about, and 2) know how to go about applying for. Below you'll find links and resources for programs ranging from Food Stamps to Child Care assistance.
1) Cal Fresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) is an entitlement program that provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels.
You must be a resident of state of CA. To see if you are eligible to apply for these benefits, click HERE for a reference income chart.
Click HERE to apply.
You must be a resident of state of CA. To see if you are eligible to apply for these benefits, click HERE for a reference income chart.
Click HERE to apply.
2) California CalWORKs (TANF) is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of California, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.
For more information on the program, click HERE.
Click HERE to apply.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of California, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.
For more information on the program, click HERE.
Click HERE to apply.
3) California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk.
A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
Click HERE to apply.
A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
Click HERE to apply.
4) California Medicaid - Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medi-Cal is supported by Federal and state taxes.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of California, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be either pregnant, blind, have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, be responsible for children under 19 years of age, or be 65 years of age or older.
Click HERE to apply.
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of California, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be either pregnant, blind, have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, be responsible for children under 19 years of age, or be 65 years of age or older.
Click HERE to apply.
5) CalWORKS Child Care Assistance - California will provide qualified residents with assistance in paying for their child care costs. The program is short term in nature and is intended to help pay expenses while the parent is working and transitioning off of public aid. Help may also be provided when the guardian or parent is attending school or job training. The state will, as part of CalWORKs, subsidize a portion of your day or child care costs as the family works towards self-sufficiency.
To apply, you need to call your local welfare office, or call 1-800-543-7793. These are located in all counties across California. Families that need child care services can contact the office located in the county where they live. Or if you have already applied for and are receiving CalWORKs, reach out and call you eligibility worker. Another place to call for information on resources and providers is your local child care Resource and Referral Agency
To apply, you need to call your local welfare office, or call 1-800-543-7793. These are located in all counties across California. Families that need child care services can contact the office located in the county where they live. Or if you have already applied for and are receiving CalWORKs, reach out and call you eligibility worker. Another place to call for information on resources and providers is your local child care Resource and Referral Agency
6) CalWORKS Homeless Assistance - While most families use the funds to prevent an eviction, there are also temporary and permanent housing options available from CalWORKs. As part of this service, the Homeless Assistance (HA) Program provides either cash grants to pay rent, free vouchers for a motel (temporary housing) or financial aid to obtain a permanent home. More details on each of these components is below.
Note there are some other similar programs that may be able to help struggling families. One of these is the CalWORKs Immediate Need. A couple hundred dollars may be paid out to assist those facing an eviction, behind on their utilities, or the cash assistance can address other housing challenges. This is also a crisis program administered locally. An application can be found HERE.
Visit CA.GOV to find additional information and resources on employment, Cash Aid, Food, Residential Care, Adoption, Foster Care, and more.
- Temporary housing - This will offer payments to currently homeless families while they are searching for work and a new, permanent home or apartment to live in.
- Permanent services are available as part of CalWORKs. The program will work with families in an effort to find a new, long term home for the resident.
- Emergency rental assistance - For those California residents that meet conditions, including they have received a pay or quit notice, the state may offer funds to pay up two months of back rent.
Note there are some other similar programs that may be able to help struggling families. One of these is the CalWORKs Immediate Need. A couple hundred dollars may be paid out to assist those facing an eviction, behind on their utilities, or the cash assistance can address other housing challenges. This is also a crisis program administered locally. An application can be found HERE.
Visit CA.GOV to find additional information and resources on employment, Cash Aid, Food, Residential Care, Adoption, Foster Care, and more.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
To find a local food bank near you, click HERE to input your zipcode and be directed to contact information, or how to volunteer.
For a directory of homeless shelters, please click HERE.
For a resources and information on Domestic Violence Shelter, here's a site with a variety of tools and options.
*This research is current to the best of our knowledge, but please defer to the links provided for additional information and the websites we pooled information from to incorporate in this blog, as we are not directly affiliated with the programs.
To find a local food bank near you, click HERE to input your zipcode and be directed to contact information, or how to volunteer.
For a directory of homeless shelters, please click HERE.
For a resources and information on Domestic Violence Shelter, here's a site with a variety of tools and options.
*This research is current to the best of our knowledge, but please defer to the links provided for additional information and the websites we pooled information from to incorporate in this blog, as we are not directly affiliated with the programs.