California

Helps families with children pay for emergency motel stays, back rent, security deposits, and moving costs so you can stay housed or get rehoused. Apply through your county welfare office.

Grants covering up to three months of mortgage payments for homeowners whose homes were destroyed or made unlivable by a recent California disaster, run by the state's housing finance agency, CalHFA. (The older California Mortgage Relief Program is closed to new applications.)

Free, plain-language guides from the state courts on what to do if you get an eviction notice, how to respond in time, and where to find free help — acting fast can keep you in your home.

Monthly cash aid for families with children who are struggling, plus help with housing, job training, and child care. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com or at your county social services office.

• BenefitsCal.com

Small monthly cash grants for adults with very low or no income who don't qualify for CalWORKs. Every California county runs its own program — apply at your county social services office (call 211 to find yours).

State-funded monthly cash for people 65+, blind, or disabled who can't get SSI only because of their immigration status.

Network of 12 local Catholic Charities agencies covering 54 counties, offering emergency help with food, clothing, rent, and bills to anyone in need, regardless of faith.

California law says hospitals must give free or discounted care to most patients earning under 400% of the poverty line — even if you have insurance. This state page explains your rights and how to complain if a hospital won't help.

Free statewide help fighting medical bills and debt from hospitals, dentists, ambulances, and doctors, plus fixing Medi-Cal problems. Call 888-804-3536.

If you qualify for Medi-Cal, it can pay medical bills from up to three months before you applied — so it's worth applying even after you've already gotten care. Apply at BenefitsCal.com.

• BenefitsCal.com

Helps pay past-due gas and electric bills (often up to $1,000 or more) and offers free weatherization to lower future bills. Run by the CA Department of Community Services & Development through local agencies — the site connects you to yours.

Knocks 20–35% off your monthly gas and electric bill if your income qualifies; sign up directly with your utility. Ask your utility about the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) too — it can forgive up to $8,000 of old utility debt if you make on-time payments.

Find your local community action agency, which handles utility assistance, weatherization, food, and other emergency help in all 58 counties.

California's food stamps (SNAP): monthly money on an EBT card to buy groceries. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com in about 10 minutes; many people get benefits within days if funds are urgently needed.

Locate your nearest food bank for free groceries, no questions asked — the statewide network covers every county.

Free healthy food, formula, and breastfeeding support for pregnant people and kids under 5. Call 1-888-942-9675 or apply through the site to find your local WIC office.

Free or very low-cost health coverage for people with low incomes, covering doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, dental, and mental health. Kids' coverage (CHIP) is folded into Medi-Cal. Apply at BenefitsCal.com.

• BenefitsCal.com

The state's health insurance marketplace, with big subsidies that can drop monthly premiums to little or nothing. Call 800-300-1506 for free enrollment help.

Find a community health center near you — over 2,300 clinics statewide that see everyone, insured or not, with fees based on what you can afford.

Free, 24/7 emotional support by phone or chat from trained peers who've been there themselves — for anxiety, depression, loneliness, or substance use worries. Call or text 855-600-9276. No crisis required; you can just need to talk.

Free, confidential support from counselors who help you cope with stress, loss, and hard times; call 833-317-4673 or use the site's live chat.

Every county has a phone line to connect Medi-Cal members (and often anyone) to free mental health and substance use treatment. This state list has the number for your county.

Free help finding child care you can afford and applying for subsidies that pay some or all of the cost. Call 1-800-543-7793 (English/Spanish) to reach your local resource & referral agency.

The state pays for child care for many low-income working families, families in CalWORKs, and families in crisis; your local resource & referral agency or county welfare office can get you on the list.

Free 24/7 support line for stressed parents, kids, and teens, staffed by trained counselors in 240 languages. Call or text 855-427-2736.

Weekly cash payments if you lost your job or had hours cut through no fault of your own. File online at edd.ca.gov or call 1-800-300-5616.

The state's free job search site, and the doorway to America's Job Centers of California — local offices offering free job training, resume help, and sometimes money for work clothes, tools, or transportation.

Replaces part of your paycheck if you can't work because you're sick, injured, pregnant, or caring for a seriously ill family member.

Free legal information and a directory of free legal aid programs for evictions, debt collection, benefits denials, and more, searchable by county and topic.

The statewide association of nonprofit legal aid organizations — use its member directory to find free lawyers near you.

The state pays trusted nonprofits to provide free immigration legal help — DACA renewals, citizenship, green cards, and deportation defense — across California.

Immigrant rights organization offering low-cost legal services, a wage theft hotline, and know-your-rights help. Assistance line: 213-353-1333.