Financial assistance programs in California.
Financial help as well as free grant money is available in all cities and counties in California. Find details below on government assistance programs and charities that provide help with paying utility bills, rent or housing costs, a mortgage or that give out free groceries. There are also charities that give free stuff, such as gas vouchers or furniture, to struggling families in California. Find where to get financial assistance near you, in your county in CA as listed below.
The social services are wide ranging. Emergency financial or cash assistance for paying bills is combined with free items in CA, including bus tickets or motel vouchers. Or find a free car for low income families in California as well as support for single moms, seniors or the disabled. There are also organizations that offer low-cost housing or car loan payment assistance as well as free clothes, transportation services and more.
Programs in CA that help with bills or that give free stuff to low-income families
Electric and other utility bill assistance programs are available statewide. In addition to calling non-profit agencies and government organizations in your county, some resources are offered directly by energy companies in California. Get hardship funds to pay a light, gas or electric bill or get money for a utility deposit. Click here for more details on how to get help with utility bills in California.
- Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides a direct grant payment to an eligible client’s utility, summer electric or heating bill. The money will help offset the cost of electricity in the home or pay the entire utility cost. In a crisis, HEAP can provide immediate funds in as little as 48 hours. Grants from LIHEAP are often combined with free weatherization, which is an energy saving program that address conservation needs. More on LIHEAP utility help in California.
- Free cell phones or Discounted Telephone Service from the LifeLine benefit helps address communication needs. California provides savings on phone bills and/or free government phones, either smartphones or home, to low income households. Learn how to save a large amount of money on monthly bills from the California LifeLine program.
Rent help is available in partnership with local non-profit agencies. Both state of California grants and emergency money from local charities may be used. The organizations help income qualified tenants pay for their rent, utilities and moving costs to get into a new home. Find local rent assistance in California.
- Homeless Prevention and Rehousing Services range from federal government grants from HUD or ESG as well as local Continuum of Care programs. Emergency financial assistance may be offered to stop evictions. Other resources include transitional housing, one time ESG rent help, or funds to pay security deposits as part of rehousing. Read more on California eviction prevention services.
- HUD vouchers for paying long term rent costs help very low income families. People in or near poverty may qualify for section 8 housing vouchers. Additional support may be for the disabled and elderly in California. The federal government assistance HUD program can offer case management, emergency section 8 rent help in CA, as well as housing with no wait to those that qualify. Click for more details Section 8 in California.
Transportation needs are addressed from government assistance programs as well as local charities in CA. This includes free bus passes, train tickets, fuel for cars, or even a free vehicle that is sometimes given away. The goal is to provide financial help to low-income families or single moms who need transportation for work related reasons. It is all job related, and find how to get free gas cards near you.
- A free car for work or job training is available from time to time. Several charities, non-profits and government affiliated agencies in California provide free (or very cheap) cars or trucks for struggling people. The goal is to ensure a family has the means to get back and forth to work in the car-centric California region. Continue with details on low-income free car giveaway programs.
Churches offer local assistance programs. Low income families in California, immigrants, seniors and others can get help from a faith based group. Free boxes of food or financial aid for paying utility bills is combined with some money as a form of emergency rental assistance. There may also be gasoline vouchers or hot meals served along with resources aimed at helping single moms in CA. Read more on churches and their assistance programs.
Get emergency help with water bills. This program known as H2O as well as other payment plans are offered to homeowners in most parts of California. Low and moderate income households are eligible for a discount on their monthly water bills. Some water bill assistance is also for low-income households in southern CA. Learn more on H2O Help to Others.
Salvation Army offers financial assistance in a crisis. The resources from the Salvation Army can help families immediately pay their rent, electric bills, and transportation costs. The charity helps with transportation include gas and automobile repairs and they also provide food as well as other basic needs. Read more on emergency assistance from Salvation Army in California.
 Legal assistance and consults from lawyers are offered. Several non-profit law firms as well as government supported attorneys provide low income households as well as senior citizens with free legal aid. Many attorneys work on a volunteer or pro-bono basis. Learn more on free legal aid in California.
The United Way has information on additional programs in CA for low-income families. There are other local, regional and national financial resources that can provide financial help in a crisis. Or they help people get food, assist with basic needs and more. The United Way in California offers referrals to those that need it, and call (877) 355-8922 for details.
- There is also a free 2-1-1 phone service in California that the United Way overseas. It is statewide but directs people to resources near them, in their county or city. Whether a shelter, place for food or a meal, income tax help or thousands of other needs, the service is free to use and learn more on 211 in California https://211ca.org/.
Free diapers and wipes are offered to new parents that have a limited income or no money for baby supplies. There are diaper banks and also government benefits that pay for baby wipes too and learn more on about free diapers for struggling parents.
Financial help from the state of California is an option. DSS is a leading organization that also partners with local non-profits and human service offices. The low-income, people living in poverty, seniors or disabled among others will get free grant money from CalWorks to pay bills, medical, food benefit from CalFresh and more. Find additional government, cash and public assistance in California.
- Daycare assistance is offered from CalWORKs. Using state and federal funds, the government will provide subsidized child care services or free daycare to eligible families in California, including single moms. The benefit helps pay for child care expenses for families while the parents work, attend school or college, or while searching for a job. More details on on California free daycare.
California mortgage payment help and foreclosure prevention is available. Financial resources from the government or local non-profits can allow people to get help with their mortgage. Other support for homeowners ranges from free lawyers help homeowners avoid a foreclosure, there are free counseling services and lender refinancing is available too. More details on assistance with a mortgage in California.
Disability benefits including financial help is for any person with a disability. California provides several resources that are specifically for people on SSI or SSDI, individuals filing and their caregivers. The Department of Developmental Services partnering with local agencies can provide information, help with the social security with the application process, in home and medical care, and other financial aid. More on California disability benefit programs for people with a disability.
Programs help seniors and any older adults in California. The Department of Aging partners with a number of local centers, including non-profit office of aging locations to provide assistance to people over 55. Resources can provide free food or transportation to the doctor in CA. Or get information on health and medical care, social services, programs that provide money to seniors, and other government aid. More information on senior financial assistance in California.
Food pantries and local distribution in CA help feed people in need. Both fresh and canned groceries are given out. Free food boxes can be obtained at the county level per below, you can also contact a food pantry or soup kitchen in your area. Many pantries also have drive-thru distribution services. More on California free food banks.
Community action grants are combined with self-sufficiency services. Clients can receive case management and ongoing support from a community action agency/partnership in their area. Many of these non-profits can also direct families to emergency financial aid programs or government grant money as well. Low-income people will get help with immediate life necessities such as shelter, food, and health care needs, etc. Or get a free car or work for a job from community action. Continue with California community action agencies.
- In addition to those resources, the state operates WorkSource centers as part of CalJobs. These government funded locations can help the unemployed or people looking to gain new skills. Receive free career counseling services, job search assistance, a free laptop or desktop computer for work in CA and additional support. More California job training and employment services.
Debt reduction programs combined with credit counseling help with finances. A number of organizations, most of which are non-profit, can help California consumers get back on track with paying off credit card or medical debts, car loans and other outstanding bills. Or rebuild credit scores for free in CA. Many debt reduction programs are offered at no cost. Read more California free credit counseling.
Help in local California cities and counties
Find local financial assistance programs from government as well as charity agencies by county below. The organizations give out funds to help pay bills and provide free stuff and more in CA. As many local agencies in each area help the poor, low-income families and less fortunate.
Alameda County (Oakland)
Butte County (Oroville)
Calaveras County (San Andreas)
Contra Costa County (Martinez)
El Dorado (Placerville)
Fresno County
Glenn County (Willows)
Humboldt County (Eureka)
Imperial County (El Centro)
Kern County (Bakersfield)
Kings County (Hanford)
Lake County (Lakeport)
Lassen County (Susanville)
Los Angeles
Madera County
Marin County (San Rafael)
Mariposa County
Mendocino County (Ukiah)
Merced County
Monterey County (Salinas)
Napa County
Nevada County (Nevada City)
Orange County (Santa Ana)
Placer County (Auburn)
Plumas County (Quincy)
Riverside County
Sacramento County
San Bernardino
San Diego County
San Gabriel Valley communities
San Francisco
San Joaquin County (Stockton)
San Luis Obispo County
San Mateo County (Redwood City)
Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria)
Santa Clara County (San Jose)
Santa Cruz
Shasta County (Redding)
Sierra County (Downieville)
Solano County (Fairfield)
Sonoma County (Santa Rosa)
Stanislaus County (Modesto)
Sutter County (Yuba City)
Tehama County (Red Bluff)
Tulare County (Visalia)
Ventura County
Yolo County (Woodland)
Yuba County (Marysville)
If you are looking for more financial resources, we have an active community forum. As California is obviously the most populous (and expensive!) state with countless organizations that help struggling people. So, if you have a question, want to interact with others to find help or share tips, use our community forum on assistance programs in CA.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
