California Resource Guide
The California Resource Guide is a summary, and your instant connection, to the state's top resources offering basic human and health-related services. The majority of these resources are reserved for people with low incomes due to unemployment or high debt, but even if you're just trying to cut down on expenses, this Guide will be a valuable tool to help you and your family make ends meet.

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.

Get Help Now

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Cash aid for the aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income.

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General Assistance/Relief

Lists County Human Services Agencies that help low-income adults without children.

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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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

Privateschools.com

Financial aid information, including grants and scholarships, for private schools K-12 .

Get Help Now

Auto & Transportation

Amtrak California

Coast-to-coast train and bus service information. See Deals Section for discounted tickets (seniors, students, military).

Get Help Now

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.

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Gasbuddy.com

Real-time listing of cheapest gas prices by zip code

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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)

State of Credit Card Debt
$20,827.17
Average credit card debt reported by California residents to CaliforniaDebtRelief.org
Courtesy of California Debt Relief
California's Trusted Name in Debt Relief

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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

Dress for Success

Professional attire to disadvantaged women entering the workforce. Use the "Select Affiliate" drop-down menu to find a local branch.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

Affordable Rental Housing Directory

Lists affordable rentals by county, including contact information.

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Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)

Discounted energy rates. Contact your utility company to apply.

Get Help Now

HUD's Help With Your Utility Bills

Lists organizations that can help homeowners pay/reduce their utility bills. Contact your utility company to apply

Get Help Now

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

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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)

Get Help Now

California Child Care Resource & Referral

Free referral service to find low-cost child care providers.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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.

Get Help Now

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