Can CalFresh benefits be used for rent payments? Confused about housing assistance

Hi there! There's definitely some confusion here. Medi-Cal is strictly for health coverage and doesn't provide any rent assistance. I think the person you spoke with might have been referring to other assistance programs that you might qualify for if you're eligible for CalFresh/Medi-Cal. Some housing programs to look into: - Section 8 housing vouchers - CalWORKs Housing Support Program (if you have children) - Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance - Emergency Rental Assistance Program You should contact your county office directly to ask about these programs. Your CalFresh eligibility might make you eligible for these other services, but they're separate programs.

Medi-cal dont help with rent lol. its for doctors n medicine. i been on calfresh 4 years and they only give $ for food. section 8 has like 3 year waitlists in most places so dont get ur hopes up

The person probably meant that because you qualify for CalFresh and possibly Medi-Cal, you might qualify for rental assistance programs too. It's all income-based. I was in your shoes last year and tried calling the housing authority for WEEKS and couldn't get through. Then a friend told me about Claimyr.com and it was a game-changer. They connect you to a live person at government offices without the wait. I used it to finally talk to someone about emergency rental assistance and got approved for temporary help. Check out how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

As others have mentioned, Medi-Cal is strictly a health insurance program and does not provide rental assistance. However, there are several programs that can help with rent that you might qualify for based on your income level: 1. Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - can help with past due and upcoming rent payments 2. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) - long-term assistance but long waitlists 3. Local non-profits like Catholic Charities or Salvation Army - sometimes offer emergency rent help 4. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - helps with utility bills, freeing up money for rent You should contact your county's housing authority directly. Bring your CalFresh approval letter as proof of income qualification, as this can expedite eligibility screening for housing programs. For immediate needs, ask specifically about emergency rental assistance programs which can sometimes provide faster help.

OMG I went through the EXACT same confusion last year!!! The county workers sometimes don't explain things clearly. What they MEANT was that if u qualify for CalFresh/Medi-Cal, you MIGHT also qualify for housing programs. But they're totally separate!!! I wasted like 3 weeks thinking Medi-Cal would help with my rent directly. So frustrating!!!

Let me clarify how this works with the correct information: - Medi-Cal: Health insurance coverage ONLY - CalFresh: Food assistance ONLY (cannot be used for rent) - Housing Assistance: Separate programs with separate applications What's important to understand is that many of these programs use similar income eligibility guidelines. In 2025, if your household income qualifies you for CalFresh, you likely meet the income requirements for housing assistance programs too. For immediate help with rent: 1. Call 211 for emergency rental assistance resources 2. Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) through your county 3. Visit your county's Housing Authority website to apply for longer-term options 4. Check local Community Action Agencies which often administer rental assistance funds I recommend starting with ERAP if you're behind on rent, as Section 8 waitlists can be very long. Also, many counties have Housing Support Programs (HSP) that can help prevent homelessness with temporary assistance.

THEY LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING!! My caseworker told me the same garbage last year and I spent weeks filling out applications for nothing. The whole system is designed to give you the runaround until you give up. I'm still paying 70% of my income to rent while they keep cutting my CalFresh benefits. Don't get your hopes up.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I called 211 like several of you suggested and they referred me to two local agencies that have emergency rental assistance. I have appointments with both next week. I'll also look into the longer-term programs like Section 8, but at least this gives me some hope for my immediate situation. I really appreciate all the advice!

I'm so glad to see this got resolved! As someone who works in social services, I can confirm that the confusion between programs is unfortunately very common. The intake process can be overwhelming and caseworkers sometimes don't have time to fully explain how different programs work together. Just want to add a few more resources that might help you and others in similar situations: - Many counties also have Coordinated Entry Systems for housing - this is a centralized way to access multiple housing programs at once - If you're working, look into In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) housing programs if you qualify - Some utility companies offer low-income discounts that can free up money for rent (CARE/FERA programs) The key thing to remember is that while CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and housing assistance are separate programs, qualifying for one often means you'll qualify for others due to similar income guidelines. Don't give up if the first agency can't help - keep trying different resources! Wishing you the best with your appointments next week. The fact that you got referred to two agencies through 211 is a really good sign that help is available in your area.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. Many food banks also have emergency financial assistance programs for rent - not just food! Places like Second Harvest Food Bank sometimes have small emergency grants (usually $200-500) that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for larger assistance programs to process your application. Also, if you're a student or have been recently, check if your local community college has emergency assistance funds. Even if you're not currently enrolled, some schools help community members who are alumni or considering enrollment. One tip for your appointments next week: ask each agency about OTHER programs they might know about, even if they can't help you directly. Sometimes smaller local churches or community organizations have emergency funds that aren't widely advertised. The people working in social services often know about these "hidden" resources. Really hoping one of those 211 referrals works out for you! The fact that you were able to get actual appointments so quickly is promising.