3-day eviction notice with new CalWorks approval - can rental assistance help in time?
Just got my CalWorks approval letter yesterday (finally!) but I'm in a really tight spot with rent. My landlord gave me a 3-day notice to pay or quit and I'm panicking. I don't have enough for the full amount even with my new benefits. Has anyone gotten emergency rental assistance through CalWorks in San Joaquin County? How quick do they process these requests? Will they actually pay within the 3-day window or am I about to be homeless with my kids? My caseworker isn't responding to messages and I'm seriously freaking out right now. Any experience or advice would be hugely appreciated!
19 comments

Layla Sanders
your 3 day notice isn't actually a court order yet, so you've still got some time. once the 3 days pass, the landlord has to file an unlawful detainer which takes another couple weeks before you'd actually get evicted. not ideal but you're not gonna be out on the street tomorrow if that helps
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Anna Stewart
AuthorThat actually helps a LOT to know. I was thinking sheriffs would show up after 3 days. Still worried about how to catch up though.
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Morgan Washington
CalWorks Housing Support Program (HSP) can help with rental assistance in San Joaquin County, but unfortunately it's typically not processed within 3 days. However, like the previous commenter mentioned, the eviction process takes longer than just the 3-day notice period. There are a few things you should do immediately: 1. Contact your local HSP office directly at (209) 468-1000 - don't just rely on your caseworker 2. Bring your 3-day notice, CalWorks approval, and proof of income to demonstrate emergency need 3. Ask about their Homeless Assistance program which can provide temporary rental payments in emergency situations 4. Contact local non-profits like St. Mary's Dining Room or the Gospel Center Rescue Mission which sometimes have emergency funds Based on my experience working with families in similar situations, you should also write a letter to your landlord explaining that you're actively seeking assistance and have been approved for benefits. Some landlords will work with you if they know funds are coming.
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Anna Stewart
AuthorTHANK YOU for such detailed info! I already called that HSP number you gave me and left a message. Will visit in person tomorrow morning. I didn't know about the Homeless Assistance program specifically - is that different from regular CalWorks?
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Kaylee Cook
i went thru somthing like this last year. the paperwork takes FOREVER and they make u jump through so many hoops it's ridiculous. make sure u have ALL ur documents with u when u go in - lease, id, birth certificates, income proof, bank statements, everything! they turned me away twice for missing stuff and i had to start over. total nightmare
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Layla Sanders
that's so true lol. I forgot my kid's birth certificate ONE TIME and they made me come back with a whole new appointment. it's like they want ppl to fail smh
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Oliver Alexander
I got rental help through CalWorks last year but it took almost 2 weeks to process. Honestly your best bet is showing your landlord the CalWorks approval letter and asking for an extension. Most landlords would rather wait than go through eviction costs.
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Lara Woods
To specifically answer your question: Yes, CalWorks can provide emergency rental assistance in San Joaquin County through their Homeless Assistance program, but it's rarely processed within 3 days. However, as others mentioned, the 3-day notice is just the first step in a longer eviction process. The Homeless Assistance program provides: - Up to 16 days of temporary shelter assistance - Permanent housing assistance (security deposits, utility deposits, last month's rent) - Moving assistance You need to specifically request the "immediate need" payment option when you apply. Make sure your caseworker marks your case as an emergency eviction situation. If you're having trouble reaching your caseworker, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at San Joaquin County CalWorks. They can connect you with a live representative without the endless hold times. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Also contact the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin at (209) 460-5000 as they have additional emergency housing resources outside of CalWorks.
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Anna Stewart
AuthorThank you SO much for explaining all this. I'll definitely ask about the immediate need option. And thanks for the Claimyr suggestion - I've been on hold for hours trying to reach someone and getting nowhere!
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Adrian Hughes
I used Claimyr once when I couldn't get through to my CalFresh worker for weeks. Got someone on the phone in like 15 minutes. Definitely worth trying if you're desperate.
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Molly Chambers
It's weird how CalWorks and CalFresh are so connected but also separate??? I got CalFresh benefits way faster than CalWorks when I applied. Have you applied for CalFresh too? Might help free up some money for rent if you can use benefits for food instead.
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Anna Stewart
AuthorYes! Got approved for CalFresh about 2 weeks ago and it's been SUCH a help with groceries. That's actually how I've been stretching my money, but it's still not enough for this rent payment. :
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Kaylee Cook
have u tryed 211??? they can sometimes hook u up with emergency rental $$ from local churches and stuff. might be faster than waiting for the county to get their act together
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Morgan Washington
Just wanted to follow up - the Homeless Assistance program is part of CalWorks but it's a specific benefit you need to request. It's different from regular CalWorks cash aid. Also, make sure to ask about Permanent Homeless Assistance vs. Temporary Homeless Assistance. Since you have housing you're trying to keep, you'd want the Permanent assistance which can help prevent eviction. One more thing: when you visit the office, bring a copy of your lease, the 3-day notice, ID for everyone in your household, proof of income, and bank statements. Having complete documentation will speed things up considerably.
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Anna Stewart
AuthorThis is exactly what I needed to know! I'll bring everything tomorrow. So grateful for all this help!!
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Oliver Alexander
When I got my 3 day notice last year I called legal aid and they told me my rights. Might be worth doing that too just so you know the timeline. I ended up having almost a month before anything serious happened.
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Adrian Hughes
I don't know if this helps, but back when I was on CalWorks (2024), I had trouble with rent and found out that Catholic Charities has an emergency rental assistance program that processes WAY faster than the county. They helped me within 48 hours. Might be worth checking if they operate in San Joaquin.
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Anna Stewart
AuthorI'll definitely look them up! At this point I'm open to any option that might help us keep our apartment. Going to try everything suggested here.
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Freya Johansen
Another thing to consider - if you're still having trouble getting through to your caseworker, you can also contact the San Joaquin County CalWorks Fraud Hotline at (209) 468-3834. I know it sounds weird but they can sometimes transfer you to a supervisor who can expedite emergency situations. I had to do this once when my worker went on vacation and no one else would help me with an urgent issue. Also, if you have any documentation about your attempts to contact your caseworker (like timestamps of calls or emails), bring those with you tomorrow. Shows you've been trying to work within the system and might help your case for emergency assistance.
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