Public assistance and government benefits from DPSS in Riverside County
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services administers public assistance programs for residents who live within Riverside County and who meet income or resource limits. Government benefits are available from the DPSS office or online. Eligibility determinations for programs such as CalFresh or Calworks as well as others are based on verified household information and programs rules with more details below on government benefits available in Riverside County.
Cash and food benefits in Riverside County
CalFresh is the primary government funded food assistance program that is administered locally by Riverside County DPSS. The program, sometimes called SNAP, provides qualified people with monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card and that card is used to help pay for groceries. The amount of benefits amounts are calculated using factors such as total household income, any assets/savings the applicant has, and household size under statewide rules. Riverside County DPSS processes both regular and expedited applications for CalFresh food stamps and the county can also direct people to local Riverside County food pantries for supplemental groceries.
CalWORKs, the state’s version of TANF, provides monthly cash assistance to eligible very-low income families with minor children. Riverside County DPSS manages CalWORKs applications and can go over the benefit. They also help with ongoing eligibility actions and start the issuance for county residents. The grant amounts paid out follow statewide formulas and time limits established under California law. Riverside County DPSS also administers required participation components tied to CalWORKs cases, including job training such as CalWORKs Greater Avenues for Independence as part of welfare to work activities.
Daycare assistance may be available to qualified low-income parents in the county too. This benefit is associated with CalWORKs participation and is coordinated by Riverside County DPSS. Eligible families may receive help paying for approved child care providers while meeting work or training requirements.
General Assistance is another option. It is a Riverside County funded cash assistance program for adults without dependent children who do not qualify for other benefits such as CalWorks or even disability. Riverside County establishes the General Assistance program under county authority within California law. The income based assistance program provides short term financial help to those adults that qualify and it also includes participation or work requirements unless a verified medical exemption applies.
Immigrants in the county can also get help and benefits include the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants. CAPI is a state of California public program that provides grant money to disabled, blind and elderly immigrants who may not be eligible for federal government SSI or other government cash aid.
The other option is the Refugee Cash Assistance, or RCA, program. This is a government benefit for eligible refugees and certain other humanitarian entrants who are not eligible for CalWORKs or Supplemental Security Income. This is a time limited program is which refugees are given some financial help during their transition period.
Riverside County DPSS administers CalWORKs Homeless Assistance for families or single people who are at risk of losing housing due to an eviction or foreclosure or who are already homeless. The program can provide short term financial help for temporary shelter, motel stays, security deposit money, or move in costs. Assistance is limited to specific time frames and dollar caps as a major goal of public assistance programs like CalWorks is to prevent family homelessness or support rapid re housing.
In addition to the financial help, Riverside County DPSS also maintains housing navigation and gives referrals. This is for residents experiencing homelessness or that don’t have a safe place to live. HomeConnect serves as a county contact for referrals to local Riverside County rent assistance programs and housing resources.
Additional social services in Riverside County
Medi-Cal, a form of state/federal health insurance, is an option. Enrollment and ongoing case management are handled by Riverside County DPSS for eligible income qualified residents. The program helps provides some form of comprehensive health coverage, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and preventive services as a safety-net. Eligibility for the insurance program is based on income and household composition, with expanded coverage for children, pregnant adults, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The In-Home Supportive Services program helps low income seniors and disabled residents stay safely in their homes vs. say going to a nursing home. Riverside County DPSS determines eligibility for the in-home program and authorizes service hours based on functional need. Approved services from the public assistance program include help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and mobility. Care can even be provided by a family member or approved provider in the county.
How to apply
Applications for the various Riverside County DPSS public assistance programs as well as other benefits can be submitted online, by phone, or in person at county offices. Be prepared as the process will require verification of income, residency, assets, and household details. A list of centers is here https://rivcodpss.org/dpss-office-locations, or the main office is at 4060 County Cir Dr, Riverside, CA 92503. Call (951) 358-3000.
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