Financial Assistance Programs in California

California Financial Assistance Programs.  Throughout California, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, financial assistance is available from the church, government, and community organizations.  Whether you live in the major cities of California or surrounding counties, there is a grant or program to meet your needs.

These low-income assistance programs give bill assistance to Californians with rent, food, utilities, home repairs, and more.  If you qualify financially, you can get help!  California assistance programs help many residents who are having economic struggles.

12 California Assistance Programs

1.  CalFresh Program

CalFresh is a federal California assistance program providing food for disadvantaged families.  It is better known as SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Food Stamps. Hopefully, with this government benefit, parents can feed their children nutritious meals that support good health.

For more information about the program, call 1-877-847-3663.  You can apply at www.getcalfresh.org or Benefitscal.org.  Once a month, money is placed on an EBT card that can be used to purchase groceries, where SNAP is accepted.

2.  California WIC – Food Assistance

WIC is a government program that supports the health and nutrition of women, infants, and children. WIC gives vouchers that can be used to purchase healthy foods.  Additionally, this program helps promote the health of pregnant women, infants, and children under 5.

Unlike SNAP, you can only purchase foods approved by the program.  To meet the requirements, you must be pregnant, have an infant, or have children up to five years old. California’s WIC agencies service more than 1.3 million participants monthly. You probably qualify for WIC assistance if you qualify for SNAP or TANF. Website

Restaurants that Accept Food Stamps

• Jack in the Box
• Subway
• El Pollo Loco
• Papa Murphy’s Pizza

3.  Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program help disadvantaged Californians pay their electric bills.  Also, LEHEAP helps repair homes and make them more energy-efficient.

The California State Department of Community Services & Development also administers these several energy and utility bill-saving programs. These California assistance programs will help you pay utilities and lower energy bills.

4.  Low-Income Heating Energy Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP grants help low-income consumers with a once-a-year check to help pay heating and cooling expenses.  If your family income is at or below, you qualify for the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Every January, recipients receive a check in the consumer’s name.

The end of the year is an excellent time to pay off any overdue balance on your utility bills. This grant is a great way to start the new with no debt. Contact your community action center or the Department of Social Services for support.  Register Here

5.  ¡Mas Fresco! More Fresh Program

This incentive program encouraged families to eat healthier by consuming more live produce. The  Nutrition Incentive Program, ‘More Fresh,’ continues to monitor the progress of those enrolled in the program if they live in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties.

The ‘More Fresh’ program ended in June 2018, but those who participated can, if you are still receiving CalFresh, starting November 1, 2018, earn ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh incentive dollars again.  You can earn up to $40 per month.  888-282-271

6.  Head Start

Head State is a federally funded program that helps children from birth to 5 years old gain building blocks that lead to excellence in learning.  Children who attend Head Start learn social skills and numbers, colors, and other skills that prepare them to enter Kindergarten.  Mothers can also get assistance with private and government daycare programs.

School readiness is the key to children from low-income children doing well in school. Early Head Start helps children under five by supporting cognitive, social, and emotional age-related maturity. Other aspects of Head Start serve pregnant women and families with financial challenges.

7.  California Lifeline Phone Assistance

California assistance programs like Lifeline provide free and discounted landline and cell phone services to financially qualified families. The California LifeLine helps consumers lower the cost of their phone bills.

Each enrollee is allowed one phone and must recertify annually.  Find a free cell phone provider near you.  Apply now online at www.getcalfresh.org or Benefitscal.org, or to find out how to apply for benefits in your county, please call the toll-free number 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD.)

8.  America’s Job Center of California

America’s Job Center of California is a one-stop resource for those seeking work or changing careers. Find out the latest job postings, how to improve your resume, what free courses are available, and how to qualify for financial aid.

9.  MediCal

Medi-Cal is a program that provides financial help with health care to low-income families, pregnant women, children, the disabled, and seniors. The state and local governments fund this program.  This program pays for medical care for children and adults in the home. Benefits under MediCal include:

• Hospitalization
• Emergency services
• Prescription drugs
• Maternity and newborn care
• Chronic disease management
• Outpatient (Ambulatory) services
• Mental Health and substance abuse
• Preventive and wellness services
• Children’s dental and vision services

10.  Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)

VOCA is a fund that supports the victims of violence with assistance and compensation. Every state receives funds to address victims of physical and sexual assault, robbery, domestic violence, and assaults resulting in permanent damage.

AVOCA pays for lost wages, moving expenses, counseling, change of locks, installation of a security system, and more.  To receive help, you must fill out an application stating the incident occurred.

Therefore, if you live in California, you are covered if you were victimized in or outside the state or country. Suppose you are a victim needing assistance; call 916-845-8479 or go to VOCA for more information.

11. CalWorks Financial Assistance

CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments.

If a family has little or no cash and needs help with bills, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help.  Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive monthly money to help pay for housing, food, and other necessary expenses.

CalWorks gives financial assistance and government services to qualified disadvantaged families. You should apply if you are unemployed or underemployed and cannot care for your family.  Temporary assistance includes housing, food, medical, utilities, and more. You qualify for these benefits if you live in California, have children under 18, be a permanent resident, a legal alien, or a U.S. citizen.   855-557-5100.

12.  California Weatherization Assistance Program

California assistance programs help low-income residents with home repairs to make homes energy efficient.  The California Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income residents make their homes energy-efficient.

This program helps residents who live in homes badly in need of upgrades.  These much-needed upgrades repair draft doors and replace or repair windows or replace water heaters. These homeowners need help to make their homes energy-efficient.  

Help includes drafting doors and windows and insulating, repairing, or replacing water heaters and leaky roofs.  Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE WAP) is the main program helping families reduce heating and cooling bills. The program services the disabled and families with children under 18 years old.

12.  California Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides U.S. federal resources to distribute to Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other programs that help low-income California residents. They offer various support services to help families maintain stability by helping with shelter and health services.

Help includes family shelters, health services, single-mother assistance, and food. The Office of Community Services administers funding in the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.  This funding and services are available to:

• States
• U.S. Territories
• Community Action Agencies
• The District of Columbia
• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
• Migrant and seasonal farmworkers’ agencies
• Federal and State-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations
• Other organizations specifically designated by the states