Can CalFresh recipients get rental assistance in San Diego County when CalWORKs isn't enough?

Yes, San Diego County does have rental assistance programs that can help CalWORKs recipients! Look into the Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS) Emergency Rental Assistance Program. They can sometimes provide up to 3 months of rental assistance depending on your situation. You'll need to apply specifically for this program - it's separate from your CalWORKs benefits. Also check with 211 San Diego (just dial 211) as they can connect you with other local resources for rent help. Make sure you bring proof of your CalWORKs/CalFresh status, rental agreement, and any eviction notices when you apply.

u should also check if ur eligible for section 8. my cousin got on it last year in sd county and it helped a lot with her rent. she gets calworks too. they take like 30% of ur income for rent and the program pays the rest i think

The system is SO BROKEN! I was in your exact situation last year and called the county FIFTY-TWO TIMES before anyone helped me. They keep saying there's all these resources but they make it IMPOSSIBLE to actually get them! And then they wonder why homelessness keeps increasing?! It's because when people actually need help they can't reach anyone or get disconnected or told to "check back later." Absolutely ridiculous. Good luck but don't hold your breath for actual help. 😤

I work for a nonprofit that partners with San Diego County, and I'd recommend trying these specific resources: 1. San Diego Housing Commission's Emergency Housing Voucher program 2. Catholic Charities' Homelessness Prevention Program 3. YMCA Transitional Housing Program (if you have children) 4. The SAY San Diego Family Resource Centers The Housing Commission has received new funding in 2025 specifically for families at risk of homelessness. You'll need to verify your income situation, proof of residence in San Diego County, and documentation of your financial hardship. Since you're already receiving CalWORKs, that documentation will help streamline the process. Don't give up - the resources are there but sometimes you need to be persistent.

I had a similar issue trying to reach someone at San Diego County about rental assistance when I was on CalWORKs last year. After days of calling and getting nowhere, I used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person in about 10 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Basically they wait on hold for you and call you when a real person picks up. Saved me hours of frustration. The caseworker I spoke with helped me apply for emergency rental assistance through their Housing Stability Program and I got approved within 2 weeks.

In addition to the rental assistance programs others have mentioned, I'd recommend asking your CalWORKs worker about the Housing Support Program (HSP) specifically for CalWORKs recipients. This program can provide: - Security deposit assistance - Rental subsidies (temporary) - Case management - Help with utility deposits Also important: make sure your housing costs are properly recorded in your CalWORKs case. There's a maximum shelter deduction that can actually increase your cash aid if your rent exceeds a certain threshold. Many workers don't automatically apply this unless you specifically ask about it. Lastly, San Diego's Community Action Partnership has emergency funds that can sometimes help with one-time rental assistance. Their number is 619-338-2799.

Have you tried talking to your landlord? Sometimes they'll work with you if you're upfront about the situation. My landlord let me pay half the rent on the 1st and half on the 15th when I was struggling, which helped with my cash flow. Not all landlords will do this, but it's worth asking while you're waiting for assistance programs.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I've made a list of all the programs to check tomorrow. I'm going to try calling 211 first, then look into the Housing Support Program with my CalWORKs worker. I had no clue about that shelter deduction potentially increasing my benefits! I'll also try Claimyr if I keep getting stuck on hold - honestly after all the hours I've wasted trying to get through, it sounds worth it just to actually talk to someone who can help. I'll update this thread when I find out what works. Fingers crossed that I can get some help before next month's rent is due.

my friend also got help from local churches in san diego when she was about to be evicted. try calling some of the bigger ones. they sometimes have emergency funds 4 rent

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency actually has an online portal where you can submit rental assistance applications 24/7, which helped me avoid the phone wait times. It's called the "MyBenefits CalWIN" portal and you can access emergency assistance applications through there. Also, if you're already receiving CalFresh, you might qualify for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program through United Way San Diego - they sometimes have funds for rent assistance too. The application process was much faster online than trying to call. Hope this helps and you find the assistance you need!