Financial assistance programs California.

Financial help and free grant money is available in all cities and counties in California. Find government assistance programs and charities that provide help with paying utility bills, rent or housing costs, a mortgage payment or that offer free food or groceries. There are also charities that give free stuff, such as gas vouchers or furniture, to low-income or struggling families in California. Get financial assistance near you in CA.

The social services are wide ranging. Emergency financial or cash assistance for paying bills is combined with free items in CA, including gasoline cards 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 is also low-income housing or car loans assistance as well as free furniture, clothes, transportation services and more.

Programs in CA that help with bills or that give free stuff to low-income families

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 car and more. 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.

Free Cars for Work or Job Training - Several charities, non-profits and government affiliated agencies provide free (or very cheap) cars or trucks for low-income families. 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 low-income car programs.

Church Assistance Program - Low income families in California, immigrants, seniors and others can get help. Free boxes of food or financial aid for paying utility or heating bills is combined with rental assistance. There may also be gasoline vouchers or hot meals served along with assistance for single moms. Read churches assistance programs.

Help with Water Bills - This program is offered to homeowners in Northern California, and 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.

Financial Assistance in a Crisis - Resources from the Salvation Army can help families immediately pay their rent, electric bills, and transportation costs, such as gas and automobile repairs. Many programs are administered by the Salvation Army in California. Read more on emergency assistance in California.

Legal Assistance and Free Lawyers - Several non-profit law firms as well as government supported attorneys provide low income, senior citizens, and other qualified individuals with free legal assistance and consultations. Learn more on free legal aid in California.

Free diapers and wipes are offered to new low-income parents. In addition, a few non-profit agencies provide free diapers to low income families in parts of California. Read about free diaper.

CalWORKs Child Care Assistance - Three versions of this government assistance program. The government will provide subsidized child care services or free daycare to eligible families in California, including single moms. The three programs are CalWORKs, Alternative Payment, and Child Protective Services.

The free daycare from CalWORKs helps families on a low income or single mothers transition off of cash aid/welfare assistance or grants. The Program helps pay for child care expenses for families while the parents work, attend school or college, seek work, attend school, or while they seek permanent housing in California The free or low-cost child care is given if it is absolutely necessary for the family to leave (and remain off) state aid. Call 916.657.2144. More on California free daycare.

Electric and Utility Bill Programs - In addition to calling non-profit agencies and government organizations in your county, some resources and social services are offered directly by energy companies in California. Get hardship funds to pay a light or electric bill, as well as money for a utility deposit. Click here to find how to get help with utility bills in California.

Free Cell Phones or Discounted Telephone Service from LifeLine - California provides savings and low cost or free government phones, either cell or home, to low income households. Customers can save a significant amount of money on their monthly bills from the California LifeLine program.

Rent help is available in partnership with local non-profit agencies. Both state of California grants and loans may be used. Various government programs and local organizations help tenants pay for their rent, utilities and moving costs for a lease. Find rent assistance in California.

Homeless Prevention and Rehousing Services - Federal government grants from HUD are used by local communities as part of the Continuum of Care program. Assistance may be offered to stop evictions. Other resources include transitional housing, one time rent help, or funds to pay security deposits. Read more California eviction prevention services.
Vouchers for Paying Rent - Very low income families 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 in CA, no wait housing and ongoing rental assistance to those that qualify. Click more details Section 8 in California.

California Mortgage Help and Foreclosure Prevention is available. California also has an assistance program that can help prevent a foreclosure. Resources can allow people to get help with their mortgage. Free lawyers help homeowners avoid a foreclosure and refinancing is available too. Many services are also offered by your town or city. More details on assistance with Mortgages in California.

Financial help California Disability Benefits and Assistance Programs - California provides several resources that are specifically for disabled residents, people on SSI or SSDI and their caregivers. The Department of Developmental Services can provide information, assistance with the application process, in home and medical care, and other financial aid. More on California disability programs.

Programs for Seniors and Older Adults in California - The Department of Aging partners with a number of local centers and office of aging locations to provide assistance to people over 55 and the elderly. Resources can provide free food or transportation to the doctor in CA. Or get information on health and medical care, social services, jobs, and other government aid. More information on senior assistance in California.

Food Pantries and Free Distribution Centers - While food and financial aid can be obtained at the county level per below, you can also contact a free food bank today in your area. Many pantries also have drive-thru distribution services. More on California free food banks.

Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides a direct grant payment to an eligible client’s utility, summer electric or heating bill to help offset the cost of cooling or heating their home. In a crisis, HEAP can provide funds in as little as 48 hours to help the elderly, disabled, or vulnerable in CA keep their electricity on.

Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) is the emergency program. The state of CA, in partnership with local non-profits, provides assistance paying utility bills to households that are in a crisis situation. Examples of help provided include a household that has received a 24- or 48-hour service termination or disconnect notice by their utility company, if they have an energy-related crisis of life-threatening emergency, immediate financial aid can be provided.
Grants are often combined with free weatherization, which is an energy saving program, and services offered for qualified customers may include energy efficient furnaces, attic insulation, weatherstripping, energy efficient appliances and more. More on LIHEAP in California.

Financial help from the state of California is an option. DSS is a leading organization that also partners with local non-profits. The low-income, people living in poverty, seniors or disabled among others will get free grant money to pay bills, medical, food and more. Find additional government, cash and public assistance in California.

Self-sufficiency, Job Training, and Referrals - Receive case management, employment services, and ongoing support from a community action agency/partnership. Many of these non-profits can also direct families to emergency financial aid programs or government grants as well. The agencies helps clients in attaining the knowledge, skills, and motivation that is necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

Low-income people will get help with immediate life necessities such as shelter, food, and health care needs, etc. There is immediate financial help from grant money for low-income families in CA. 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. 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 and Credit Counseling - 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 and 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, grants and government as well as charity agencies that provide free stuff and more in CA. Select a county and/or city below. As many other agencies 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)