Financial Aid
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
Cash aid for people with limited or no income to buy basic needs. To apply, find your local county welfare agency using the link provided. |
Get Help Now or 916-657-2128 |
e-benefits California
Links to applications to benefits assistance programs by county. To apply, find your local county welfare agency using the link provided. |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Cash aid for the aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income. |
General Assistance/Relief
Lists County Human Services Agencies that help low-income adults without children. |
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
Monthly cash benefits to non-citizens who are ineligible for SSI benefits. To apply, find your local county welfare agency using the link provided. |
Healthcare
Covered California
California's official health insurance exchange or "marketplace" to help you find affordable coverage. |
Get Help Nowor 800-300-1506 |
California Medical Assistance (Medi-Cal)
Pays for medical and dental services for low- to medium-income people. |
Get Help Now or 800-541-5555 |
Access for Infants & Mothers (AIM)
Low-cost prenatal care for pregnant women without insurance.Some women with private health insurance may qualify. |
Get Help Now or 800-433-2611 |
CaliforniaKids
Affordable medical and dental program for children ages two through 18. |
Get Help Now or 818-755-9700 |
Healthy Families
Low-cost insurance for children/teens who do not qualify for Medi-Cal.See the FAQs for information on eligibility, available health plans. |
Get Help Now or 800-880-5305 |
COBRA
Lets eligible individuals continue group health insurance benefits when their job ends or hours are cut. |
Get Help Now or 888-466-2219; 877-688-9891 TTY |
California Hospital Free and Discount Payment Programs
Compares eligibility requirements of participating hospitals that offer free or discounted care.Use the Search Fair Pricing tool to get started. |
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Free or low-cost medicine for people without prescription drug coverage. |
Get Help Nowor 888-477-2669 |
Education
Head Start and Early Head Start
Comprehensive services for children five and under. Use Head Start Locator to find your nearest program. |
Get Help Nowor 866-763-6481 |
Icanaffordcollege.com
Helps college students find and apply for financial aid. |
Cal Grants
Lists available grants/scholarships for college students. |
Get Help Nowor 888-CA-GRANT |
California Student Aid Commission
Links to various financial aid programs for high school and college students. |
Privateschools.com
Financial aid information, including grants and scholarships, for private schools K-12 . |
Auto & Transportation
Amtrak California
Coast-to-coast train and bus service information. See Deals Section for discounted tickets (seniors, students, military). |
California's Low Cost Automobile Insurance
Affordable insurance for good drivers who meet income requirements. Use Coverage Calculator to find estimated annual premiums. |
Get Help Nowor 866-602-8861 |
Visit California
Links to public transportation schedules, maps, and fares. |
Gasbuddy.com
Real-time listing of cheapest gas prices by zip code |
Erideshare.com
A free membership site that lists carpool/ridesharing opportunities. |
Get Help Nowor 618-530-4842 |
Zimride.com
A free membership site that lists carpool/ridesharing opportunities. Service is popular with students and university networks. |
Get Help Nowor 855-ZIMRIDE (855-946-7433) |
Food & Clothing
CalFresh
Monthly electronic benefits to buy nutritious foods. You can apply online or by phone. |
Get Help Now or 877-847-3663 (FOOD) |
California Association of Food Banks
Food assistance and nutrition education programs. Use link to find your nearest food bank. |
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Checks to buy food and supplements to low-income women who are pregnant or just had a baby. |
Get Help Now or 888-942-9675 |
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Healthy, low-cost or free lunches to children. Apply for reduced or free school meals directly at your child's school. |
Dress for Success
Professional attire to disadvantaged women entering the workforce. Use the "Select Affiliate" drop-down menu to find a local branch. |
Goodwill
Sells gently used/new clothing, furniture, and household items. |
Get Help Now or 800-GOOD-WILL; 800-466-39455 |
Jobs & Training
Employment Development Department (EDD)
Online form for filing for Unemployment Insurance. |
EDD Online Job Center
Links to job banks, career training workshops, other job search tools. |
Get Help Now or 916-654-7799 |
American Job Centers
Job locator, training and career resources. |
Get Help Now or 877-US2-JOBS; 877-889-5627 TTY |
CalJobs
Allows job seekers to search for jobs, post resumes, and training centers. |
Goodwill
Links to employment opportunities, job training centers, and a free e-learning site. |
Get Help Now or 800-GOODWILL |
Housing & Utilities
Making Home Affordable
Lists programs for homeowners who want to avoid foreclosure, or refinance their mortgage payments. |
Get Help Now or 888-995-HOPE (4673) |
Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
Assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled find affordable housing or rentals. |
Affordable Rental Housing Directory
Lists affordable rentals by county, including contact information. |
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)
Discounted energy rates. Contact your utility company to apply. |
HUD's Help With Your Utility Bills
Lists organizations that can help homeowners pay/reduce their utility bills. Contact your utility company to apply |
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Financial aid paying home energy costs and/or weatherization services. Use the map provided to find information on local services |
Internet Essentials
Basic Internet service and computers for qualified Comcast residents who have at least one child in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). |
Get Help Now or 855-8-INTERNET |
Connect2Compete
Lists service providers that offer low-cost high-speed Internet service and computers to families with children in the NSLP. For families not participating in the NSLP, ask about the Freedom Pop wireless service. |
Lifeline Program
Low-cost, basic telephone service . You can also call your phone company to apply. |
Get Help Now or 866-272-0349 |
Low-Income Rate Assistance (LIRA)
Monthly discounts to qualified Cal-Water customers. |
Get Help Now or 877-419-1701 |
Child Care
CalWORKs Child Care Program
Subsidized child care for families receiving CalWORKs benefits or transitioning off welfare. For immediate assistance, see the Child Care Coordinators Directory (use link provided) |
California Child Care Resource & Referral
Free referral service to find low-cost child care providers. |
ChildCare Aware
Free referral service to find low-cost child care providers. Service uses your zip code to connect you to a local agency. |
Get Help Now or 800-424-2246; 866-278-9428 TTY |
Misc. Charities
Catholic Charities
Assistance in getting food, housing, health, and other basic needs. |
Get Help Now or 916-313-4005 |
Salvation Army
Assistance in getting food, housing, health, and other basic needs. Use the Location Search Box to find your nearest agency. |
YWCA
Supports women and girls with programs related to health, job training, early child care, and literacy. Use the Find a YW to locate your local association. |
YMCA
Service programs for children and teens (ex. camps, child care, sports, summer food program). Financial aid is available for those who cannot afford membership fees. |
Get Help Now or 800-872-9622 |
