Can CalFresh/EBT office help with first and last month rent deposit in LA County while homeless?

You're actually asking about CalWORKs, not CalFresh (EBT is for food benefits). CalWORKs does have a Homeless Assistance program that can help with both temporary and permanent housing. Since you mentioned you've already received assistance twice, you might be referring to the temporary assistance. For permanent housing, CalWORKs can provide a payment for security deposit and last month's rent (up to 2 months' rent). You should ask your eligibility worker specifically about the Permanent Homeless Assistance benefit. You need to: 1) Have proof of your homelessness 2) Have found a place where the rent is not more than 80% of your total monthly household income 3) Haven't received permanent homeless assistance in the last 12 months (with some exceptions) Contact your CalWORKs worker ASAP and tell them you need the Permanent Homeless Assistance. Sometimes they don't tell you about all available benefits unless you specifically ask.

theres also DPSS move in costs program for ppl in ur situation they helped my sister last year but u gotta tell them SPECIFICALLY u want PERMANENT homeless assistance not the temp one. the worker will make u sign statement saying ur homeless & u need 2 have landlord info ready. they can do the whole deposit if its not more than 80% of ur income like the other person said

I was in ur situation in 2024 with 2 kids. My worker was IMPOSSIBLE to reach by phone - kept getting voicemail or disconnected after waiting 2+ hrs!!! Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a actual person at DPSS. You can watch how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Anyway once I got through they approved my permanent homeless assistance in 3 days. The check went straight to my landlord. Make sure your rent isn't too high compared to your income or they'll deny it!

Just to clarify some points for you: 1. CalFresh (EBT for food) doesn't help with housing - that's CalWORKs territory 2. The 80% rule is important - if your income is $1416, then your rent shouldn't exceed $1132.80 for them to help 3. For Permanent Homeless Assistance, you need: - CW 42 form filled out (Homeless Assistance Statement) - Landlord verification form or letter from potential landlord - Proof of homelessness (can be self-declaration in many cases) - Rent receipt or agreement showing amount needed 4. You can only get Permanent Homeless Assistance once in a 12-month period, with exceptions for domestic violence, physical/mental illness, or uninhabitable housing. 5. There are also community organizations that might help with the gap funding if CalWORKs doesn't cover everything. Try 211 LA County for referrals. Don't feel like a bad mother - housing insecurity can happen to anyone, especially in LA's current rental market. The fact that you're actively seeking solutions shows how much you care about your children.

BEWARE they will DENY you if you already got temp assistance twice!!!! This happened to me and I had to APPEAL. Make sure you tell them this is for PERMANENT housing NOT temp. The system is designed to confuse you so you don't get benefits!!!!!! And they won't pay until they inspect the place which can take WEEKS!!!

i was in your situation last year went thru all this... one thing nobody mentions is you need to make sure you haven't used the permanent homeless assistance in the last 12 months or they'll deny you. also they might pay for utilities deposits too if you ask but you gotta specifically request it cause they dont volunteer that info

In addition to what others have mentioned, don't forget that there are also community resources that can help supplement what CalWORKs provides. LA County has specialized programs for families facing homelessness: 1. The Family Solutions Centers can provide additional financial assistance for move-in costs 2. The Prevention and Diversion program might help with the gap if CalWORKs doesn't cover the full amount 3. Some non-profits like PATH, LA Family Housing, or Salvation Army have emergency funds specifically for families in your situation Call 211 LA County for referrals to these programs. And don't feel guilty - housing insecurity affects thousands of families in LA, especially with rents increasing much faster than benefits. Focus on solutions rather than blame - you're taking all the right steps to stabilize your family's situation.

btw if ur ex is threatening custody stuff make sure u document EVERYTHING ur doing to get housing. courts look at that stuff and if ur actively trying they usually dont take kids just for being temporarily homeless especially if u have them in school and stuff

Just wanted to update my earlier comment - since your rent would be $1200 and your income is $1416, you're actually at about 85% of your income, which is slightly above the 80% threshold. However, don't give up! There are two approaches: 1. Ask your eligibility worker if there are any exemptions available based on your local housing market 2. See if you qualify for any additional income that could be counted (child support, earned income, etc.) to raise the threshold Also, once you're stably housed, make sure to apply for Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher if you haven't already. The waitlist is long but getting on it now means eventually you'll have more affordable housing.

I work at a nonprofit that helps families navigate housing assistance in LA County. A few additional things to know about the CalWORKs Permanent Homeless Assistance: 1. The payment typically goes directly to the landlord, not to you - this protects both parties 2. You'll need to provide a rental agreement or statement from the landlord showing the deposit amount 3. The 80% rule can sometimes have flexibility if you can demonstrate this is the most affordable suitable housing available in your area 4. Make sure to mention you have children when applying - families with kids often get priority processing Also, don't overlook the CalWORKs Diversion program if you haven't used it yet - it can provide up to $1,000 in emergency assistance that might help bridge any gap between what Permanent Homeless Assistance covers and what you need. One more tip: if your worker seems unfamiliar with these programs, ask to speak with a supervisor. Not all eligibility workers are equally knowledgeable about all available benefits, and you shouldn't miss out on assistance because of that. You're doing everything right by seeking help and planning ahead. Your kids are lucky to have a parent who's fighting so hard for their stability.

I've been through this exact situation with LA County DPSS. A few things that really helped me: 1. When you call, ask specifically for "Permanent Homeless Assistance" - don't let them transfer you around or tell you it doesn't exist. Some workers try to push you toward temporary assistance because it's easier for them to process. 2. The landlord will need to fill out a verification form, but DPSS has a template they can email you. Make sure your landlord is willing to work with government assistance before you get too far in the process. 3. If you're having trouble reaching your worker, try calling the main DPSS line early (like 7:30 AM) right when they open. You'll get through faster than calling mid-day. 4. Keep receipts for everything - your current housing situation, any money you've spent on temporary housing, etc. They want documentation of your homelessness. 5. The whole process took about 10 days for me from application to getting approved, but the actual payment to my landlord was within 2-3 days after approval. Don't give up if they tell you no initially - sometimes you have to advocate for yourself. Your kids need stable housing and you're doing the right thing by pursuing every option available. You've got this!

I'm a single mom who went through something similar in Orange County last year. One thing I learned that might help you - if the $2400 deposit is more than what CalWORKs Permanent Homeless Assistance will cover, ask your potential landlord if they'd be willing to split it differently. Some landlords will accept first month's rent + partial security deposit upfront, then let you pay the rest over the first few months. Also, make sure to mention to your CalWORKs worker that you're facing a custody issue - sometimes that can expedite processing since stable housing is considered in the best interest of the children. Document everything you're doing to secure housing in case you need it for court. LA County also has the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) that might still have funds available - it's separate from CalWORKs and could potentially help with move-in costs. Worth asking about when you call 211. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your family. Housing insecurity doesn't define you as a parent - your determination to find solutions does.