Can CalFresh EBT help with security deposit or moving costs? Desperately need to relocate

CalFresh (food stamps) benefits can ONLY be used for eligible food items, not for housing costs like security deposits. However, you might qualify for CalWORKs which provides cash aid that could help with housing costs. Also look into the Housing Support Program (HSP) through your county - it specifically helps families with move-in costs including security deposits. Call your county office and specifically ask about HSP and moving assistance programs.

Went thru same thing in 2023!!! Your NOT gonna get help from calfresh for moving, its FOOD ONLY!! but call 211 they have emergency housing funds sometimes. also check with local churches they sometmes help with deposits. good luck!!

Have you filled out a SAR7 form recently? If your income changed they might increase your calfresh but it still only for food. Check your county housing authority they sometimes have emergency funds for families with health issues like your child. Good luck with everything hope you find a better place to live!

The system is totally broken. I tried for MONTHS to get help with a deposit last year and kept getting transferred between departments. CalFresh said talk to housing, housing said talk to social services, social services said talk to CalFresh. Classic runaround! Eventually I gave up and had to borrow money from family. The whole thing is designed to make you quit asking for help.

You definitely need to apply for CalWORKs, which is separate from CalFresh. If you have children and meet the income requirements, you could qualify for cash assistance. There's also the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) if your child's asthma qualifies as a disability. For immediate help, many counties have Emergency Assistance Programs specifically for families needing to relocate due to health/safety issues. When you call your county office, you'll likely face long wait times. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr that can help you skip the phone wait times when calling county services. Their system calls and waits on hold for you, then connects you when a real person answers. Saved me hours when I was trying to sort out my benefits! Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or visit claimyr.com. It made a huge difference in actually getting through to someone who could help.

you should also check if your city has rent assistance programs. my cousin got $1800 for deposit from sacramento housing department last year. they had special program for families with health issues in unsafe housing. bring doctors note about your kids asthma!!!

So did u get help??? I'm dealing with similar situation wanting to know what worked!

Important to note: if you do apply for CalWORKs, make sure to bring ALL required verification documents to your appointment. This typically includes: ID for all household members, proof of income (pay stubs), rent/utility bills, school enrollment for children, and medical documentation for your son's condition. Being prepared will speed up the process significantly. The income limit for CalWORKs in 2025 for a family of 3 is approximately $2,700 monthly (gross), so your part-time work might still qualify you.

I'm so glad you're getting some traction with the Housing Support Program! Just wanted to add - when you meet with CalWORKs, ask specifically about their "Homeless Assistance Program" or "HA" benefits. It's a one-time payment that can help with moving costs, deposits, and utility connections for families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (which sounds like your situation with the mold). The amount varies by county but can be up to $3,000+ for a family your size. Not everyone knows about it because workers don't always mention it automatically. You have to specifically ask! Also document everything about the mold - take photos, keep any notices from landlord, medical records about your son's breathing issues. All of that helps show you need to move for health reasons. Rooting for you!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation - not mold, but my landlord is refusing to fix a broken heater and my baby keeps getting sick. Reading about all these different programs gives me hope. @Daniela Rossi - please keep us updated on how the CalWORKs appointment goes and if you get approved for the HA benefits that @Chloe Martin mentioned. I'm going to start calling around about these programs tomorrow. It's crazy how many resources exist that we just don't know about because no one tells us! Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - check with your local United Way chapter! They often have emergency assistance funds specifically for families dealing with unsafe housing conditions. When I was in a similar situation with my kids a couple years ago, our local United Way provided $800 towards moving costs when I explained the health issues. They work pretty quickly too - I got approved within a week. You can find your local chapter at 211.org or just dial 2-1-1. Also, don't forget to ask your current landlord IN WRITING to fix the mold issue and keep copies of everything - if they refuse, that documentation will help with any emergency assistance applications. You're doing everything right by advocating for your kids' health!

Also wanted to mention that if you're in Los Angeles County, they have something called the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) that can help with security deposits for families relocating due to health hazards. Even if you're not in LA, most counties have similar programs under different names. When you call, use the keywords "emergency relocation due to health hazard" - that seems to unlock different funding streams than just asking for general moving help. I learned this the hard way after initially being told there was no help available, then getting connected to the right program when I used those specific words. The system is confusing but there really is help out there if you know how to ask for it!