Public assistance and government aid San Bernardino County.
San Bernardino County's Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) is the county agency responsible for processing applications and providing benefits under California's major public assistance programs — food assistance, cash aid, health coverage, and more. This is a plain-English guide that will help you understand where to start and how to apply. TAD operates under the county's Human Services umbrella and serves residents across all of San Bernardino County, from the Inland Empire cities to the High Desert communities and the Mojave.
To apply, check your case, or ask questions about any program, call TAD's Customer Service line at (877) 410-8829. Live agents are available Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The automated IVR system is available 24 hours a day and can provide benefit amounts, worker information, and office locations. For most programs, the fastest way to apply is online at https://benefitscal.com/, which accepts applications any time of day. You can also apply in person at any TAD office or by mail. TAD's main website is https://wp.sbcounty.gov/tad/, where you can find office locations and additional resources.
CalFresh — monthly food assistance
CalFresh, which is California's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly food benefits loaded onto a Golden State Advantage EBT card. The card works like a debit card at most grocery stores and many farmers markets throughout the county. CalFresh benefits can now also be used to order groceries from select online retailers — a great option for residents in rural or desert communities who have limited access to nearby stores. For other options too, see the San Bernardino County food pantry page.
Benefits cover most food items but not alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or hot prepared meals. The amount your household receives depends on income and family size; call or apply online to find out what you may qualify for rather than assuming your income is too high. Income limits are higher than many people expect.
Work requirements are needed by some adults between 18 and 64 who are determined to be able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Those affected will need to be employed or participating in an approved work or training activity for a minimum number of hours per month to continue receiving benefits. Not all recipients are affected — check the TAD website or call for current details on how and when this affects your case.
CalWORKs — cash aid and employment services for families
CalWORKs provides monthly cash payments to low-income families with children in the home. The cash is not restricted — it can go toward rent, food, utilities, or any other household need. Families in immediate crisis with little or no cash may be able to receive short-term emergency help even before their full application is approved.
Adults who receive CalWORKs are subject to a lifetime limit of 48 months of cash aid — this resets based on the adult recipient's personal total, not the family's situation overall. Children in the household are not subject to this limit. Because of the time limit, CalWORKs also includes employment support through the Welfare-to-Work program, which connects recipients with job training, resume help, and work experience activities. If you are already receiving CalWORKs, your case worker will explain your Welfare-to-Work responsibilities and what you need to report to keep your benefits.
Semi-annual reporting is required for CalWORKs households. Failing to submit the SAR 7 Eligibility Status Report on time can cause benefits to stop even if you still qualify, so tracking your reporting deadlines matters.
Medi-Cal — health coverage
Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health coverage for qualifying California residents and is processed at the county level through TAD. San Bernardino County operates under what California calls the Two-Plan model, meaning residents who qualify for Medi-Cal will choose between two managed care health plans: Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and Molina Healthcare of California. If you qualify and do not select a plan within 30 days, one will be assigned to you automatically, so it is worth reviewing both options before then.
IEHP, which was established specifically to serve Riverside and San Bernardino County residents, operates Community Wellness Centers in the region that are open to all Inland Empire community members for free health and wellness classes and other services — not just IEHP members.
Medi-Cal eligibility is reviewed through BenefitsCal.com or in person at a TAD office. If you are on Medicare and have limited income, you may also qualify for the Medicare Savings Program, which can help pay your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance fees — even if you are not currently enrolled in Medi-Cal. Ask about this specifically when you apply.
General Relief — a county-funded safety net for adults without children
General Relief is San Bernardino County's own cash assistance program, funded entirely by the county with no state or federal contribution. It serves indigent adults who do not have minor children in the home and are in temporary need of help with housing, food, or transportation. Unlike CalWORKs, General Relief does not rely on California or federal program rules — it is governed by county policy. Benefits are structured as loans that can be repaid. If you are an adult without children who doesn't qualify for other programs, General Relief may be an option while you work toward more stable footing.
Cash assistance for immigrants and refugees
Two separate programs serve non-citizen residents who are ineligible for the main federal programs.
The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) provides cash support for qualified legal immigrants who are elderly, blind, or disabled and cannot access federal SSI/SSP benefits solely because of their immigration status. CAPI benefits are based on SSI standards and are a state-funded alternative for those who would otherwise qualify but are excluded from the federal program. For other possible options, see our NHPB help for Undocumented and Legal Immigrants in the U.S. page.
The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program provides time-limited financial help for refugees and others fleeing persecution who have recently arrived and have not yet had time to establish themselves. Aid is based on CalWORKs benefit standards. TAD also administers the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP), which extends similar protections to survivors of human trafficking and certain crime victims who may not have formal refugee status.
Energy and utility assistance — through a separate agency
f you need help paying an electric, gas, propane, or wood bill, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is the right resource — but it is administered by the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC), not by TAD. Appointments are required; walk-ins are no longer accepted. To schedule one, call CAPSBC at (909) 723-1500.
NOTE: Residents who already receive CalFresh, TANF/CalWORKs, or SSI may automatically meet the income qualification standard for HEAP — call CAPSBC to confirm.
Child care, foster care, and free tax preparation
TAD administers a child care reimbursement program for CalWORKs families who are in an approved work or training program. Payments go directly to the child care provider, not to the family, and are tied to participation in Welfare-to-Work activities.
Foster care financial assistance for children placed outside of the home is handled in coordination with the county's Children and Family Services department, with TAD managing the financial payments side.
TAD also offers free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program during tax season. Services typically begin in late January and run through April; appointments are required and can be made by calling 877-410-8829.
How to apply
Applications for CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-Cal can all be submitted through the same portal: BenefitsCal.com. You can start and save an application online, upload required documents, and track your case — all without going to an office. If you prefer to apply in person, TAD has multiple office locations throughout the county, including offices serving the Inland Empire cities, the High Desert, and outlying areas. Use the office locator https://wp.sbcounty.gov/tad/ to find the nearest location. Applications can also be mailed or submitted by fax.
For residents in more remote parts of the county who have difficulty reaching a physical office, TAD operates a Mobile Office that travels to underserved communities — check the TAD website for current scheduling. A live web chat option is also available at the TAD website during weekday business hours in both English and Spanish.
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