Can CalFresh help with rental assistance for pregnant mom with toddler?

Hi there, I'm sorry you're in this situation. Just to clarify - CalFresh is specifically for food benefits only and can't be used directly for rent. However, there are definitely rental assistance programs you might qualify for! Look into: 1. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) - though waitlists can be long 2. California Emergency Rental Assistance Program 3. CalWORKs - since you have a child and are pregnant 4. WIC - extra food benefits for pregnant women and children under 5 Also, being pregnant actually might qualify you for increased CalFresh benefits since they consider your unborn baby as part of your household in the later stages of pregnancy. I'd recommend contacting your county office to report this change if you haven't already.

When I was pregnant last year I got WIC *and* CalFresh at the same time. WIC gives you specific foods like milk, cheese, cereal, beans while CalFresh you can use for anything food-related. Definitely apply for WIC ASAP!!!!

Just FYI - most counties have something called "Housing Support Program" through CalWORKs that specifically helps pregnant women and families with children find and pay for housing. You'd need to apply for CalWORKs first (cash aid) and then ask about the Housing Support Program. They can sometimes help with security deposits, rent, and even utility payments depending on your situation. Definitely worth looking into since you're pregnant with a toddler.

trying to reach the calfresh office to ask about pregnancy benefits is IMPOSSIBLE these days...i waited 3 hours last month just to get disconnected right when someone finally answered. so frustrating when ur trying to get help

Here are the correct 2025 income limits for CalWORKs which might help you get rental assistance: For a household of 2 (you + toddler): $1,982/month gross income For a household of 3 (you + toddler + counting pregnancy): $2,452/month gross income And when your baby is born, you'd be a household of 3 officially: $2,452/month For CalFresh, the income limits are higher - for a household of 3, the gross monthly income limit is around $3,500 in 2025. Definitely report your pregnancy at 7 months (third trimester) to get increased CalFresh benefits! And apply for CalWORKs which can provide cash aid plus access to their Housing Support Program.

have u tried calling 211? they can tell u ALL the rental assistance programs in ur area. sometimes churches and nonprofits have emergency rent help too

if ur getting calfresh already you NEED to report ur pregnancy on the SAR7 or recertification form when it asks about household changes. they wont know unless u tell them. also check the pregnancy resource centers nearby they sometimes help with rent or can connect u with places that do

Just to follow up - once you report your pregnancy (after 7 months along) and after your baby is born, make sure to update your CalFresh case. For a household of 3 in 2025, the maximum CalFresh benefit is around $770/month instead of $425. Also, since housing costs affect CalFresh benefits, if your rent does increase, report that too! Higher rent can sometimes qualify you for higher CalFresh benefits because it reduces your "net income" in their calculations. This is called the "excess shelter deduction.

I was in a similar situation last year and ended up applying for everything at once through BenefitsCal.com - you can apply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-Cal all in the same application. Made things way easier than doing separate applications. The CalWORKs Housing Support Program ended up being what saved us from eviction.