Resource Directory for Individuals and Families

These resources are intended for individuals. If you are looking for service provider resources, please click here.

Resources for Low-Income Individuals and Families

Housing Resources

Start by calling 211

You can also visit the 211 website for your region: Bay Area: 211bayarea.org, Los Angeles  211la.org, Orange County: 211oc.org, Sacramento: 211sacramento.org/211

Fighting eviction?

Check out this toolkit to access resources to fight eviction, rent debt, and connect with legal resources.

Click here and here to learn how to access legal services, tenants rights, and other advocacy groups.

Experiencing homelessness?

Click here for information on the shelter(s) nearest you. You can also text your zip code to 898211.

Healthcare Resources

Covid-19

Click here for vaccine information. Click here for testing information. Click here for updates.

Covered CA

Click here to sign up for low cost health, vision, and dental insurance plans for as little as $1 per month through the Covered CA marketplace. Subsidies available for families making up to $154,000. Extended enrollment deadlines available. 

Medi-Cal

Click here to sign up for free health, vision, and dental insurance under Medi-Cal. Low income California children and youth under age 26 may apply regardless of immigration status. Low income adults over age 26 with Social Security Numbers may also apply. 

More options

Click here for free CMSP health, vision, and dental plans for adults not able to sign up for Medi-Cal because of their age and immigration status. Click here to find a free clinic near you, regardless of age, income, immigration status, etc.

Food Resources

Baby food

Click here to enroll in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program if you are pregnant or have a child under 5. WIC has formula, food, breastfeeding help, healthcare, and other resources for pregnant women, new moms, babies, and infants.

Food banks

Click here for information on the food bank(s) nearest you. You can also text your zip code to 800 548 6479.

School meals

Click here for the CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application. Click here to access SFSP and find meals for kids during holidays, vacations, over the weekend, and any other days that school meals are unavailable. You can also text FOOD to 877877 to find free summer meals near you.

Food for seniors

Click here for nutrition sites and home-delivered meals.

Pay less for food

CalFresh also known as SNAP gives money to individuals and families for food from supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and more.

Financial Resources

No longer working

Click here to access the Employment Development Department (EDD). EDD processes pandemic unemployment compensation, pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, pandemic unemployment assistance, unemployment insurance, paid family leave, and disability claims so you can get by without a paycheck.

Find a good job

CalJobs has job search and career coaching tools, as well as employment centers where you can get whatever you need in person.

Providing for kids

Click here to sign up for CalWORKS also known as TANF, so you can access money for families who need help paying for housing and other basic needs. Click here to enroll in Headstart, so you can access early childhood education centers, food programs, and other resources to support both kids and parents.

CalEITC, CA Young Child Tax Credit & Golden State Stimulus

Click here to learn how to file your state income tax return for free and see if you qualify for up to $3,000 from CalEITC, up to $1,000 from the CA Young Child Tax Credit, up to $1,200 in Golden State Stimulus I, and up to $1,100 in Golden State Stimulus II. 

65+ or disabled

SSI gives money to adults and kids with disabilities, as well as to seniors who need help paying for housing and other basic needs.

Save on utilities

CARE/FERA/CSD and other programs offer lower rates on nearly all utility, gas, and electrical power bills no matter where you live.

Home internet you can afford

Click here to find affordable broadband options and low-cost home internet plans. 

Get a phone

California LifeLine offers discounted home telephone and/or cell phone plans so every person can make and receive calls.

Informational Guides

Care options for seniors and people with disabilities

Seniors and people with disabilities often need supportive living options. The Assisted Living Research Institute has created this guide to help those searching for assisted living homes overcome the two main barriers: choosing a home and figuring out how to pay for it. In this guide, you will learn about the different types of assisted living homes, how to choose the right home, how to pay for that home, and state-specific resources to assist you in your search.

Avoid predatory lending

Lenders take advantage of consumers by offering tempting deals that turn out to be too good to be true. Learn how to avoid predatory lending here.

Get my CA photo ID

Click here to read our guide to obtaining a California photo ID.

Get my CA birth certificate 

Click here to read our guide to obtaining your California birth certificate.

 

Other Resources:

I. Services For Families

II. Health Care Services

III. Food & Nutrition Services

IV. Services For Seniors 65+

V. Utility Assistance Programs

VI. Homeownership & Rental Assistance

VII. Services For Children

VIII. Education & Employment Services

IX. Shelter Services & Housing Supports

X. Services For Undocumented Communities

XI. Housing Resources

XII. Financial Resources

XIII. Miscellaneous

 

I. Services For Families

 CalWORKs: Provides cash aid and services to eligible families that have a child(ren) in the home.

  • Use this application to apply online  

 

CalFresh: Provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income 

  •  Apply online 
  •  Or, call the CalFresh Info Line at 1-877-847-3663.

 

Low-Cost Internet/Computer Access: Connects low-income families to affordable Internet options, computer access and more.

  •  Find low-cost internet service in your area
  • Carriers like Charter, Comcast, and AT&T are offering free or reduced-cost internet access for students and low-income families. Learn more

 

California Healthy Families: is low-cost insurance for California children and teens. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal. 

  •  Apply online
  • Or, call 1-800-880-5305.

 

Video Conferencing: Several video conferencing software companies have opened up free access to their premium features including Cisco Webex, Google Hangouts (for schools and businesses), and Zoom (for K-12 schools)

Free Computers: Free computers are available for low-income students through The On It Foundation and Computers with Causes

 

II. Health Care Services

California Healthy Families: is low-cost insurance for California children and teens. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal. 

  • Apply online
  • Or, call 1-800-880-5305.

 

Operation Access: Provides diagnosis, free evaluation, and surgical operations for the uninsured and low income. 

  •  View participating clinics HERE 
  •  Or, call (415) 733-0052 for more information. 

 

Medi-Cal/Covered California: Offer free or low-cost health coverage for children and adults with limited income and resources. 

  • Click here to sign up for free health, vision, and dental insurance under Medi-Cal. Low income California children and youth under age 26 may apply regardless of immigration status. Low income adults over age 26 with Social Security Numbers may also apply. 
  • Click here for free CMSP health, vision, and dental plans for adults not able to sign up for Medi-Cal because of their age and immigration status. Click here to find a free clinic near you, regardless of age, income, immigration status, etc.
  • Click here to sign up for low cost health, vision, and dental insurance plans for as little as $1 per month through the Covered CA marketplace. Subsidies available for families making up to $154,000. Extended enrollment deadlines available.

 Extra Help: Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs.

 

Every Woman Counts (EWC): Provides free clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to California’s underserved women.

  •  Search for EWC providers using the ProviderLocator
  • Or, call 1-800-511-2300

 

Family PACT: Provides referrals to state-funded clinics for family planning services

 

Medi-Cal Access Program: Low-cost health insurance for middle-income pregnant women.

  •  To apply visit CoveredCA
  • Or, call 1-800-433-2611

 

Deaf & Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP): Provide free relay services and phone equipment for all deaf and disabled Californians.

  •  Visit DDTP 
  • Or, call 1-800-806-1191

 

The National Prescription Drug Discount Card Program: Helps people save on prescription drug bills at no cost.

  •  Call 1-877-321-2625 for more information on the program as well as counties served.

 

Local Health Services/Offices: A list of local county health departments to call about no-cost and low-cost health care.

 

Su Familia: Information and referrals in Spanish to local health clinics.

 

Health Consumer Alliance: Programs to help people with low incomes get the health care they need.

 

San Francisco & Los Angeles Counties: One Degree connects low-income families to health resources in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County.

 

Free Clinic Directory: has nationwide resources for uninsured people to connect with affordable and free health clinics in their area.

 

Covid-19:

 

III. Food & Nutrition Services

CalFresh: Provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income 

  •  Apply HERE 
  •  Or, call the CalFresh Info Line 1-877-847-3663.

 

CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program: Allows CalFresh recipients who are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase lower-cost prepared meals at approved participating restaurants in certain counties. 

 

The Emergency Food Assistance Program: helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.

 

Food Banks: Provide food for those in need.

 

 School Breakfast Program: Assists schools and other agencies in providing nutritious breakfasts to children at reasonable prices.

  •  View School Breakfast for more information
  • CA Meals for Kids: The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices. The Emergency Meal Sites section may be used during unanticipated school closures due to emergency situations.

 

Baby food:

  • Click here to enroll in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program if you are pregnant or have a child under 5. WIC has formula, food, breastfeeding help, healthcare, and other resources for pregnant women, new moms, babies, and infants.

 

Food banks:

  • Click here for in formation on the food bank(s) nearest you. You can also text your zip code to 800 548 6479.

 

School meals:

  • Click here for the CA Meals for Kids Mobile Application. Click here to access SFSP and find meals for kids during holidays, vacations, over the weekend, and any other days that school meals are unavailable. You can also text FOOD to 877877 to find free summer meals near you.

 

Food for seniors:

  • Click here for nutrition sites and home-delivered meals.

 

IV. Services For Seniors 65+

Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP): Free, confidential counseling and community education for California Medicare beneficiaries.

  •  To learn more visit, HERE 
  •  Or, call 1-800-434-0222.

 

Senior Legal Hotline: Provide services, resources, advice, and other tools that will help stop a foreclosure from occurring.

  •  They can be reached at (916) 551-2145.

 

Senior Community Service Employment Program: matches eligible older adults with part-time training assignments for non-profit organizations.

 

Assisted Living Waiver: provides services to facilitate the transition from nursing facilities to a community home-like setting in a Residential Care Facility (RCF), an Adult Care Facility (ACF), or public subsidized housing. 

 

Senior Care Action Network Health Plan (SCAN): provides services for dual-eligible Medicare/Medi-Cal population

 

Care Options for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Seniors and people with disabilities often need supportive living options. The Assisted Living Research Institute has created this guide to help those searching for assisted living homes overcome the two main barriers: choosing a home and figuring out how to pay for it. In this guide, you will learn about the different types of assisted living homes, how to choose the right home, how to pay for that home, and state-specific resources to assist you in your search.

V. Utility Assistance Programs

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Provides a 30-35% discount on your utility bill and potentially a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill.

 

The Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which bills apply a 12% discount on their electricity bill. 

  •  Call your electric utility if your family qualifies
  •  Or, apply HERE (for PG&E customers)

 

Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA): Provides no-cost weatherization services to low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines. 

  •  For more information find your utility provider HERE

 

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program: provides assistance to eligible low-income households with the goal of managing and meeting their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs. 

  •  Click HERE to see what services are available under this program. 

 

California LifeLine: Provides customers with a reduced rate on their monthly cell phone or home telephone bills. There is also some additional support provided for the disabled or deaf as part of LifeLine.

  •  For more information, call 1-866-272-0349

 

VI. Homeownership & Rental Assistance

California Homebuyer’s Downpayment Assistance Program (CHDAP): Supports the needs of renters and homebuyers by providing financing and programs so more low to moderate-income Californians have a place to call home. 

  •  Check if you’re eligible HERE

 

California Housing Finance Agency Hardship Line: Provide help when a borrower has missed a mortgage payment. 

  •  Call 1 (800) 669-1079 for information.

 

California HUD Approved Foreclosure Counseling Agencies: Below you will find a listing of agencies that can provide homeowners with access to a housing or mortgage counselor who can advise them on a wide variety of free or low-cost mortgage assistance programs. 

 

Keep Your Home California Program: Provides aid to low to moderate-income borrowers across the state who need help with paying their mortgage. 

  •  For more information call (888) 954-KEEP (5337) 

 

The Section 8 Program: Also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, this program provides financial assistance to low-income families who are unable to afford a home. 

  •  To determine if you are eligible for section 8 benefits, click HERE

 

Homeownership Preservation Foundation: Free housing counseling for homeowners

  •  Visit 995Hope
  • Or, call 1-888-995-4673

 

VII. Services For Children

Children’s Health Insurance Program: provide no-cost or low-cost health coverage for eligible children in California. 

 

Child Care Resource & Referral Network: Helps you find child care in your area. 

 

Child Health and Disability Prevention Program: Provides periodic health assessments and services to low-income children and youth.

 

Sight for Students: Vision care for low-income children with no insurance

 

California Early Start: Services for infants and toddlers at risk of disability or who have a disability. 

 

California Child Care Resource & Referral Programs: Pregnant and parenting teens in the Cal-Learn program are also eligible to receive CalWORKs child care. Child care is provided for children through the age of 12, and for exceptional needs and severely disabled children up to age 21. 

 

The California Healthy Kids Resource Center: Provides access to educational resources that can be borrowed at no cost.

 

Center for Parent Information & Resources: Provide support and services to families.

 

Center for Early Literacy Learning: provide parents and teachers with simple ways to enhance daily activities and routines with literacy specific opportunities.

 

Reach Out & Read: Provide training, resources, and support to help children make reading a daily routine. 

 

Text4Baby: Makes it easy to get important information about your baby’s development, pregnancy, childcare tips, and more. Women who text BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 receive free text messages three times per week, timed to their due date or their baby’s birth date, through pregnancy and up until the baby’s first birthday. 

 

Women, Infants, & Children Program: WIC helps families by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and vouchers for healthy foods.

  • To apply call 1-800-472-2321 or 909-252-5170 
  • Or, visit m.wic.ca.gov to find a WIC local agency site near you.

 

VIII. Education & Employment Services

 Unemployment Insurance: Pays benefits to workers who have lost their job and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. 

  • If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may file a UI claim. 

 

Senior Community Service Employment Program: matches eligible older adults with part-time training assignments for non-profit organizations. For most, their SCSEP experience leads to permanent employment.

 

Head Start: Provides comprehensive developmental services for low-income children from birth to entry into elementary school.

 

California State Disability Insurance: provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need time off work.

 

America’s Job Center of California (AJCC): Links all of California’s state and local workforce services and resources. You can find your nearest job center, job seeker resources, information for employers, and more.

 

MyFreeTaxes: United Way is proud to offer MyFreeTaxes, a service to help families earning less than $66,000 file their federal and state taxes online free of charge. 

 

Free Computers: Free computers are available for low-income students through The On It Foundation and Computers with Causes

 

Education Resources for Spanish Speakers / Recursos en Espanol: Resources from the United States Department of Education for Spanish speakers.

 

IX. Shelter Services & Housing Supports

CalWORKs Housing Support Program: Assists homeless CalWORKs families in obtaining permanent housing, and can provide temporary shelter, help with moving costs, short to medium term rental subsidies and wraparound case management.

 

CalWORKs Homeless Assistance: Can provide payments for temporary shelter for up to 16 consecutive calendar days, as well as payments to secure or maintain housing, including a security deposit and last month’s rent, or up to two months of rent arrearages.

 

Bringing Families Home Program: Serves homeless families involved with the child welfare system and is designed to offer housing support in order for families to successfully reunify.

 

Housing and Disability Advocacy Program: Assists homeless, disabled individuals apply for disability benefit programs, while also providing housing supports. 

 

Home Safe Program: Support the safety and housing stability of individuals involved in Adult Protective Services (APS) who are experiencing, or at imminent risk of experiencing, homelessness due to elder or dependent adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.

 

X. Services For Undocumented Communities

Parenting Guidance:

  •  Get parenting guidance on talking to young and school-age children about coronavirus in English or Spanish

 

Mental Health: 

 

Crisis Counselor: 

  • To connect with a crisis counselor about anxiety, isolation, concerns about school, financial stress, etc. related to COVID-19, text SHARE to 741741 for free, confidential, 24/7 support.

 

Staying Connected: 

  • Wednesdays and Sundays from 5-6 PM (PT), join Immigrants Rising’s virtual Wellness Gatherings dedicated to helping undocumented young people stay grounded and connected to one another.

 

Knowing Your Rights: 

 

Health Care Resources:

 

UndocuScholars: 

 

Legal Aid at Work: 

 

Protecting API Workers: 

 

Covid-19 and Laws Enforced: 

  • California Labor Commissioner’s Office released FAQs on COVID-19 and Laws Enforced in English and Spanish

 

Worker Pay: 

 

Relief Funds: 

 

Unemployment Benefits: 

  • The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging individuals with DACA and other employment authorizations who are affected by coronavirus layoffs to apply for unemployment benefits. Workers don’t have to be sick to qualify. Individuals who were laid off or had hours reduced due to coronavirus restrictions can also apply.
  • Applying for unemployment benefits? Check out this step-by-Step application assistance created by the Jewish Family & Children-East Bay in English or Spanish

 

Immigration Services: 

  • Offer many types of free legal services, as well as information about other services that support immigrants such as outreach, community education, and other immigration remedies. Find immigration legal services for other immigration remedies throughout California such as T-Visa, U-Visa, Violence Against Women Act, and Asylum via the webpage:
  • Contact CDSS Immigration Services Contractors

 

California Immigrant Guide: 

  • Immigrants seeking help with English language learning, workforce skill development, naturalization preparation or legal assistance, can find information on available services throughout the state at 
  • California Immigrant Guide

 

Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors Legal Services: 

  • Unaccompanied minors may be eligible to obtain an immigration status including Asylum, T-Visa, U-Visa, and/or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) via the California Department of Social Services website below. 
  • Find immigration legal service providers throughout California via Contact CDSS Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors Contractors

 

Immigrant Response Funds: 

Visit this link to view a list of state and nationwide immigrant response funds.

 

XI. Housing Resources

Rent and Utilities Relief:

  • Click here to apply for rent and utilities relief. 

 

Resources for Fighting Eviction:

  • Click here and here to learn how to access legal services, tenant rights, and other advocacy groups.

 

Shelter Information:

  • Click here for information on the shelter(s) nearest you. You can also text your zip code to 898211.

 

Moving Assistance:

  • It’s well-known that moving can be expensive, and for various reasons, people often look for charities to help with moving costs. However, finding a central resource to look for help can be challenging. That’s why our team at MYMOVE.com created a complete list of organizations that help with moving expenses.
  • Moving assistance guide: https://www.mymove.com/moving/costs-and-finances/low-income-moving-assistance/ 
    • The  guide is entirely free and includes the following:
      • Moving grants and government assistance programs
      • A list of groups that may qualify for moving grants
      • Veteran and employee assistance

 

XII. Financial Resources

No longer working:

  • Click here to access the Employment Development Department (EDD). EDD processes pandemic unemployment compensation, pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, pandemic unemployment assistance, unemployment insurance, paid family leave, and disability claims so you can get by without a paycheck.

 

Find a good job:

  • CalJobs has job search and career coaching tools, as well as employment centers where you can get whatever you need in person.

 

Providing for kids

  • Click here to enroll in Headstart, so you can access early childhood education centers, food programs, and other resources to support both kids and parents.

 

CalEITC, CA Young Child Tax Credit & Golden State Stimulus:

  • Click here to learn how to file your state income tax return for free and see if you qualify for up to $3,000 from CalEITC, up to $1,000 from the CA Young Child Tax Credit, up to $1,200 in Golden State Stimulus I, and up to $1,100 in Golden State Stimulus II. 

 

65+ or disabled:

  • SSI gives money to adults and kids with disabilities, as well as to seniors who need help paying for housing and other basic needs.

 

Save on utilities:

  • CARE/FERA/CSD and other programs offer lower rates on nearly all utility, gas, and electrical power bills no matter where you live.

 

Home internet you can afford:

  • Click here to find affordable broadband options and low-cost home internet plans. 

 

Discounted Phone Plans:

California LifeLine offers discounted home telephone and/or cell phone plans so every person can make and receive calls.

 

XIII. Miscellaneous

Take Charge America: Offer short term debt relief programs, and also longer-term credit counseling as well as debt assistance to help people become self-sufficient over the long term.

  • Call 866-528-0588 for a referral to a local branch.

 

American Consumer Credit Counseling: Offer a number of debt reduction programs. Credit counselors from ACCC will work one on one with clients to offer them access to numerous financial solutions. 

  • For more information call 1-800-769-3571.

 

California Work Opportunity & Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKS) Child Care: Current or former CalWORKs cash aid recipients are eligible to receive assistance with paying for child care with a provider of their choice if they are employed or participating in county approved Welfare-to-Work activities.

 

Human Trafficking: IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911

  • National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline 1 (888) 373-7888

 

Assistance Dog Special Allowance Program: Provides a monthly payment to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog to help them.

  •  For more information visit the ASDA webpage 
  • Or, call (916) 657-2628 

 

Power of Attorney for Financial Matters: This form is pretty standard and states who has the authority to manage your financial affairs when you are unable or unavailable to do so.

 

Advanced Health Care Directive: This is a form document that has been prepared and made available by the California Judicial Council. You will want several copies of this once it is executed – for your house, your doctor and the hospital if you need to be admitted for any reason.

 

Last Will and Testament:  This resource is a tool for people to easily begin the process to prepare their Last Will and Testament.