California financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in California
If household costs are hard to manage, California has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, and other basic needs. Start with the statewide options below, then follow the county or local application route when a program is administered closer to home.
Money Fit serves California residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
The best starting point depends on whether the need involves a state benefit, a county-administered program, or immediate local help. Eligibility, funding, waiting lists, and application methods can vary.
Apply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal
BenefitsCal is California's main state benefits portal for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and other county-administered programs.
Find nearby help
211 California connects residents with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, employment, family services, and other community resources.
Housing or utility assistance
Energy assistance, public housing, emergency shelter, and eviction help are handled through local providers, public housing agencies, 211, and legal-aid organizations.
County routing matters in California. BenefitsCal can start or manage many applications, but county agencies administer CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Assistance or General Relief, Medi-Cal casework, and other services. If an online application does not answer a case-specific question, contact the county social services office directly.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with CalFresh or WIC when it fits the household. For food needed sooner, use the California food-bank network or 211.
CalFresh
CalFresh provides monthly grocery benefits to eligible California households through an EBT card. Applications and case management are handled through BenefitsCal or county social services offices.
California WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Local WIC offices confirm eligibility and enrollment.
California WIC: 800-852-5770
California food-bank network
California's food-bank network can connect residents with the regional food bank serving their community. Local food banks may provide pantry locations, mobile distributions, meal programs, emergency groceries, and CalFresh application help.
Some CalFresh rules changed in 2026. California updated eligibility and work-related requirements for some households during 2026. Use the current CDSS guidance or your county's instructions rather than relying on older eligibility summaries. Review current CalFresh changes.
Housing, rent, and utility help
California housing and utility assistance is divided among local energy agencies, public housing authorities, county and city programs, 211 networks, and legal-aid organizations. Funding and waiting lists can change quickly.
LIHEAP energy assistance
LIHEAP may provide a one-time payment toward heating or cooling costs, including wood, propane, or oil. Crisis assistance and weatherization may also be available. Applications go through the local provider serving the household's city or county.
CARE and FERA
CARE may reduce qualifying electric and natural-gas bills. FERA may provide an electricity discount to some households whose income is above the CARE limit. Applications are handled through participating utilities.
Local public housing authorities
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are administered by local housing agencies. Waiting lists may be closed, and households may need to check more than one agency serving nearby communities.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
Shelter and homelessness help
211 California can help locate emergency shelter, rent assistance, utility support, homelessness prevention, coordinated-entry contacts, and other local housing resources.
California Courts and LawHelpCA
California Courts explains eviction notices, court papers, response deadlines, and the residential eviction process. LawHelpCA can help residents find local legal-aid organizations for housing, public benefits, consumer issues, and other civil legal matters.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Medi-Cal enrollment is available year-round. Applications can be started through BenefitsCal, Covered California, or a county office. Covered California also screens applicants for marketplace financial help when Medi-Cal is not the right program.
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal provides no-cost or low-cost health coverage to eligible California residents. BenefitsCal, Covered California, county social services offices, and paper or phone applications are current enrollment routes.
Covered California
Covered California compares private marketplace plans and checks whether applicants may qualify for Medi-Cal or financial help with marketplace coverage. Open enrollment and special-enrollment rules apply to private plans, while Medi-Cal remains available year-round.
Service Center: 800-300-1506
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, substance-use, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
Some Medi-Cal enrollment rules changed in 2026. As of January 1, 2026, certain adults may no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal based on immigration status. Existing members may have different continuation rules. Use the current Department of Health Care Services guidance rather than older summaries. Review current Medi-Cal changes.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
California cash assistance and subsidized child care are administered through county welfare departments, Alternative Payment Programs, and local child care resource and referral agencies.
CalWORKs
CalWORKs provides temporary cash aid and services to eligible families with children. County programs may also connect families with employment services, child care, housing support, and other assistance.
Subsidized child care programs
California offers several child care subsidy programs. CalWORKs child care is administered through county welfare departments and contracted providers, while other subsidies are delivered through Alternative Payment Programs and local agencies.
Child Care Resource & Referral: 800-543-7793
Child Care Resource and Referral
California funds Resource and Referral agencies in all 58 counties. They help families find child care, compare options, and understand local child care resources. MyChildCarePlan.org is also supported through California's Resource and Referral network.
General Assistance or General Relief
Each California county operates its own General Assistance or General Relief program for adults who cannot support themselves through income, other public funds, or another assistance program. Benefit amounts, eligibility rules, and application methods vary by county.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
California unemployment insurance
Eligible workers who lose work or have hours reduced through no fault of their own may be able to receive temporary unemployment benefits. The fastest online route is myEDD and UI Online.
Unemployment assistance: 800-300-5616
America's Job Center of California and CalJOBS
AJCC locations provide job-search help, career guidance, training referrals, employer connections, and workforce services. CalJOBS provides statewide online job-search and career tools.
LawHelpCA
LawHelpCA helps residents locate free or low-cost civil legal services involving housing, public benefits, debt collection, family matters, employment, healthcare, disability rights, immigration, and other covered issues. Advice or representation is not guaranteed.
California LifeLine
California LifeLine may reduce the cost of qualifying home or cell phone service. Households may qualify through income or participation in eligible public-assistance programs. Enrollment begins through an approved phone company.
California LifeLine Call Center: 866-272-0349
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
California's aging and disability networks can help residents locate meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home services, benefits counseling, long-term support, and safety protections.
Area Agencies on Aging
California's 33 Area Agencies on Aging coordinate local services for older adults and adults with disabilities, including meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, legal help, and other community programs.
Aging information line: 800-510-2020
In-Home Supportive Services
IHSS may help eligible older adults, blind residents, and people with disabilities remain safely at home through qualifying personal care, household, accompaniment, and related services. Applications are handled by county IHSS offices.
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
CAPI may provide monthly cash benefits to eligible aged, blind, or disabled noncitizens who cannot receive SSI or SSP solely because of immigration status. County social services agencies handle applications.
California Adult Protective Services
APS investigates suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation involving adults age 60 or older and dependent adults. The statewide hotline routes callers to the correct county and operates 24 hours a day.
Statewide APS hotline: 833-401-0832
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24-hour support involving mental health, suicide, substance use, or emotional distress. California routes calls to trained crisis centers across the state.
Call or text: 988
Local domestic violence organizations
The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence maintains a county-based directory of local hotlines and service organizations. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also provides confidential 24-hour support and safety planning.
National hotline: 800-799-7233
211 California
211 connects Californians with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, employment, financial, family, and crisis resources. Search online or dial 211 to reach the local service network.
California Disaster Help Center
The California Disaster Help Center provides current information on public assistance and services after wildfires and other natural disasters or emergencies. Federal assistance may also become available after a presidential disaster declaration.
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with food, housing, healthcare, child care, or utilities while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help California residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may help organize eligible unsecured debts into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. It is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
