Can I apply for emergency CalFresh when I pay rent to mom but she's not living with us?

you should be fine!! i was in kinda similar situation where i lived in my cousins house but paid rent to him. on the application theres a part where you can explain your living situation. just make it clear that your mom isnt part of your household for calfresh purposes and you pay her rent. they might ask for proof like rent receipts or something so have those ready

You don't need to worry about the apartment being in your mom's name. CalFresh defines a household as "people who live together and purchase/prepare food together." Since your mom doesn't live with you, she's not part of your CalFresh household. When you apply, clearly state that you rent from your mom but she doesn't reside with you. For the utility bill, explain that her name is on it for historical/credit reasons but she doesn't live there. They may ask for: 1. A simple statement explaining your living arrangement 2. Proof that your mom lives elsewhere (her utility bill at her address) 3. Rent receipts or bank statements showing payments to her For emergency CalFresh (expedited service), you can receive benefits within 3 calendar days if you meet certain criteria: less than $150 in monthly income and less than $100 in resources, or if your combined income and resources are less than your rent/utilities for the month. Focus your application on your household of 3 (you and your children). Be clear and consistent in explaining your situation.

when i applied they wanted EVERYTHING. had to show my lease (which wasnt even in my name), utility bills, id, pay stubs, bank statements, you name it. they dont make it easy! and then they wanted my roommates info too even tho we buy seperate food!!! so frustrating

I went through this exact nightmare last year. LA County is particularly difficult with these situations. What worked for me was getting a "Landlord Verification Form" filled out by my relative who I was renting from. You can download it from the LA DPSS website or ask for it during your interview. Also, when you apply, check the box for expedited services and emphasize your current financial hardship. With kids in the household, you'll likely qualify for emergency benefits. One thing I learned the hard way - trying to reach LA County DPSS by phone can be impossible. I spent days trying to get through to someone about my application. I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at DPSS within 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 It saved my sanity during the verification process when I needed to explain my living situation.

Just to add some clarity - you're in what's called a "shared housing" situation in CalFresh terms, but with the unique aspect that your landlord is a relative who isn't residing there. Here's what you need to know: 1. In your application on BenefitsCal, list only yourself and your two children as household members requesting benefits. 2. In the housing expenses section, indicate you pay rent but don't own the property. 3. You'll need to provide a written statement explaining your living arrangement. This is called a "Housing Statement" or "Statement of Facts" - it doesn't need to be notarized for CalFresh purposes. 4. For the utility bill, since it has both names, provide a statement explaining that your mom's name remains on the bill but she doesn't reside there. If you can show she has active utilities at another address, that's helpful too. 5. For emergency CalFresh (3-day processing), make sure to answer "yes" to the expedited screening questions if your income and resources are very low. You have a legitimate household situation that is absolutely eligible for CalFresh if you meet the income requirements. Don't let the housing arrangement confusion deter you!

they gonna want proof your mom lives somewehere else bet on it. my sister tried to apply when she was staying at my moms house paying rent and they wanted like 5 different documents!!! the system is designed to make it hard to get help i swear

I just went through the CalFresh application process in February 2025 and they were actually pretty reasonable about my complicated living situation. Just be super honest in your interview about everything. In the emergency CalFresh interview, really emphasize that you and your kids are a separate household from your mom since she doesn't live there. They approved me in 2 days for emergency benefits! Make sure you have your ID, kids' birth certificates, and any proof of your income (even if it's just a written statement that you have no income right now). Having proof of your expenses is important too - any utility bills, rent receipts, childcare costs. I know it's stressful but focus on getting that application submitted ASAP. You can add documents and explanations later if needed.

I'm a CalFresh eligibility worker and wanted to jump in here to reassure you. Your situation is actually pretty straightforward from our perspective - you're a separate household from your mom since she doesn't live with you. The fact that you pay her rent and the lease is in her name doesn't change that. When you apply, just be clear that your household size is 3 (you + 2 kids). In the comments section, briefly explain that you rent from your mother but she resides elsewhere. If they ask for verification, a simple rent receipt or bank statement showing payments to her will work. For emergency CalFresh, you'll likely qualify for 3-day processing if your monthly income is under $150 and resources under $100. Don't overthink it - apply today! The worst thing that can happen is they ask for more documentation, which you can provide later. Your kids need food now, and that's what the emergency process is designed for. Good luck mama, you've got this!

I went through a similar situation last year in LA County! My lease was under my grandmother's name but she lived in a different city. What helped me was preparing a simple written statement ahead of time explaining the arrangement - something like "I rent from my mother [mom's name] who owns the property but does not reside here. My household consists of myself and my two children only." Also, since you mentioned the utility bill has both names, I'd suggest calling the utility company and asking them to remove your mom's name if possible, or at least get documentation showing when she stopped being the primary account holder. This isn't required but it can help avoid confusion. The good news is LA County has gotten better about these situations lately. They see rental arrangements between family members all the time. Just stick to the facts: you pay rent, she doesn't live there, your household is 3 people. You've got this!

Hey Demi! I just wanted to add that if you're feeling overwhelmed by all this paperwork and verification stuff, remember that you can also apply in person at your local DPSS office. Sometimes it's easier to explain complicated living situations face-to-face, and they can help you fill out the forms right there. Also, if you qualify for emergency CalFresh (which it sounds like you do based on your income), they're supposed to give you an EBT card the same day or next business day. Don't let them tell you it takes longer than that for emergency benefits! One more thing - if you're in LA, there are some food banks and pantries that can help you bridge the gap while your application is processing. LA Regional Food Bank has a location finder on their website. Hang in there mama, you're doing everything right by asking for help when you need it! 💙

Hey Demi! Just wanted to share that I was in almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago - single mom, kids to feed, renting from family who didn't live with us. I was SO stressed about the application but it ended up being way simpler than I expected. The key thing is just being super clear that your household is ONLY you and your two kids. When they ask about housing costs, just put down what you pay in rent to your mom. In the "additional information" section, I wrote something like "I rent from my mother but we are separate households - she does not live here." For emergency CalFresh, make sure you emphasize that you need expedited processing due to having very little income and resources. They approved mine in 2 days and I had benefits on my EBT card right away. Don't overthink it - your situation is totally normal and they see this stuff all the time. Focus on getting that application submitted tonight so you can start getting help for your kids ASAP! You're being such a good mom by reaching out for help. ❤️

Hi Demi! I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you're definitely overthinking this and your situation is totally eligible for CalFresh. I work with families in similar housing situations all the time through my job at a community nonprofit. One thing I'd add is to make sure you bring documentation of ALL your monthly expenses when you apply - rent receipts to your mom, any utility bills in your name, childcare costs, medical expenses, etc. This helps establish that you're managing your own household budget separate from your mom's finances. Also, since you mentioned you're in LA, I wanted to let you know that LA County has been really good lately about processing emergency CalFresh applications quickly, especially for families with children. Don't be afraid to follow up if you don't hear back within 3 days - you have the right to those expedited benefits. You're doing everything right by seeking help for your family. Your kids are lucky to have a mom who's working so hard to make sure they're fed. Apply tonight and don't look back! 💪

I just wanted to add my support and let you know that you're absolutely doing the right thing by applying! I've been helping families navigate CalFresh applications for years, and your situation is really straightforward - you're a household of 3 paying rent to a family member who doesn't live with you. A few quick tips that might help: - When you submit online, save screenshots of every page in case you need them later - For the emergency application, make sure to answer YES to the expedited services question - Keep copies of any rent payments you've made to your mom (even Venmo/Zelle records work) - If they schedule a phone interview, don't stress - just stick to the facts about your living situation The most important thing is getting that application submitted tonight so the clock starts ticking on your 3-day emergency processing. Everything else can be sorted out with documentation later if needed. Your kids shouldn't have to wait because of paperwork anxiety! Sending you strength and hoping you have benefits loaded on your card very soon! 🙏