Can I qualify for low-income housing with CalFresh/cash aid but no job?

Yes, you can absolutely qualify for low-income housing with just cash aid! They look at all income sources, not just employment. Cash aid and CalFresh are considered income for housing applications. What's most important is that your total household income falls below their threshold (usually 30-50% of area median income). Make sure to bring your benefit award letters to verify your income. They'll want to see your most recent Notice of Action showing your CalWORKs amount. Most places will actually prioritize families on cash aid because you're considered very low income.

i applied for section 8 last year when i was only getting calfresh and they said i didnt qualify cause i needed some kind of steady income even tho calfresh is like income to me??? but my friend got into a low income apartment with just disability so maybe it depends on the program

I JUST went through this whole process and it was a NIGHTMARE trying to get anyone to help me figure it out!! The county housing authority kept sending me to my CalWORKs worker and my worker kept sending me back to housing. Nobody would give me a straight answer for WEEKS! I finally got through to someone at the housing authority who confirmed I COULD apply with just cash aid, but there was a 2 YEAR WAITING LIST for most places. Applied anyway because what else can I do?? They did say some properties move faster than others though.

Eligibility specialist here. Let me clarify a few things about housing programs in relation to public benefits: 1. Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers: Cash aid (CalWORKs) counts as income. They typically want your income to be at least 30% of the payment standard. 2. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties: Cash aid counts as income, and you'll likely qualify if that's your only income source. 3. Public Housing: Cash aid counts, and there's usually no minimum income requirement. 4. CalFresh is NOT counted as income for any housing program since it's specifically for food. Bring your most recent Notice of Action, benefit verification letter (request from your county office), and your last 3 months of cash aid statements. Since you're on CalWORKs, you should also ask your welfare-to-work counselor about the Housing Support Program (HSP) which provides additional housing assistance specifically for CalWORKs recipients.

when I applied last year they told me cash aid wasnt enough because they want you to be able to pay rent if your benefits stop for some reason. ended up having to find a minimum wage job just to qualify which is so backwards!! like how am I supposed to afford any housing BEFORE I get housing assistance?? makes no sense.

To answer your follow-up question about the Housing Support Program (HSP): Yes, it does have a separate process, but it's normally initiated through your CalWORKs worker. They need to refer you to the program. HSP can help with: • Security deposits • Utility payments/deposits • Moving costs • Temporary rental assistance • Housing search assistance It's specifically designed for CalWORKs families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (which includes having received an eviction notice or being unable to afford current housing). Since you mentioned your rent increased beyond what you can afford, you likely qualify. Make sure to specifically ask for an HSP referral at your next appointment or call your worker to request it sooner.

To address your earlier question about CalFresh - no, CalFresh benefits ($465) won't count toward your income for housing qualification. Only your $715 CalWORKs would count. This actually works in your favor because it means your countable income is lower, making you more likely to qualify for housing assistance. And yes, HSP can absolutely help with temporary rental assistance while you're on waiting lists for permanent housing. That's actually one of its main purposes - to provide that bridge support. The program can sometimes even help negotiate with your current landlord if that's a possibility.

Good luck with everything!! Housing stuff is so stressful 😫 I went through all this last year and finally got a place after 7 months of waiting. The system is broken but don't give up!!

I'm going through something similar right now! My CalWORKs worker actually told me about something called the Homeless Prevention Program that might help too. It's different from HSP but can provide emergency rental assistance if you're behind on rent or facing eviction. You might want to ask about both programs when you call tomorrow. Also, when you're filling out housing applications, make sure to check if they participate in the coordinated entry system - some places give priority to people who are literally homeless or at immediate risk, which sounds like your situation with the rent increase. Hang in there! 💪

Just wanted to add that some counties also have emergency rental assistance programs that work faster than HSP! In my county, they had a program that could help within 2-3 weeks if you're facing immediate eviction or unaffordable rent increases. It might be worth calling 211 (dial 2-1-1) to ask about emergency rental assistance in your specific area - they usually have the most up-to-date info on what's available locally. Also, don't forget to document everything with your landlord about the rent increase (keep texts, emails, notices) because some of these programs want proof that your housing situation changed suddenly. You've got this! 🏠

I'm in a very similar situation right now! I've been on CalWORKs for about 6 months and just started looking into low-income housing options myself. From what I've learned so far, you definitely don't need a job to qualify - your cash aid counts as income. I've been told that having CalWORKs actually makes you a priority for many programs since it shows you're in the very low income category. One thing that's helped me is keeping organized records of all my benefit statements and notices. I created a folder with copies of everything because different housing programs ask for slightly different paperwork. Also, don't get discouraged if the first few places you contact aren't helpful - I've found that persistence really pays off and some workers are way more knowledgeable than others. You're taking all the right steps by asking here and researching your options!

I work at a local housing nonprofit and wanted to add some practical tips for your application process! When you apply, make sure to emphasize that you're already receiving CalWORKs because this actually demonstrates that you've been income-verified by the county, which housing providers see as a positive. A few things that can speed up your process: • Apply to multiple properties at once - don't wait to hear back from one before applying to others • Look into smaller, independent low-income properties in addition to the big complexes - they often have shorter wait lists • Ask about "preference points" - some places give extra points for families with children, people experiencing housing instability, or those already receiving public benefits Also, while you're waiting for permanent housing, check if your county has any emergency motel voucher programs. They're temporary but can buy you time if your current situation becomes unsustainable. The fact that your rent increased by $250 suddenly should qualify you for several emergency assistance programs. Don't let anyone tell you that cash aid "isn't real income" - it absolutely is for housing purposes!

I'm in a similar boat and just wanted to share what worked for me! I was on CalWORKs for about 4 months when my housing situation fell through. What really helped was being super organized with my paperwork from day one. I made copies of EVERYTHING - my award letters, benefit verification forms, bank statements showing the deposits, and even screenshots of my EBT balance to show consistent benefit receipt. Some places wanted 3 months of records, others wanted 6 months, so having it all ready saved me tons of time. Also, when I called housing places, I learned to lead with "I receive CalWORKs cash aid" instead of saying "I don't have a job." It frames it as having stable income rather than being unemployed. The wording really matters! One more tip - if you have a caseworker for your CalWORKs, ask them if they know of any housing resources specifically for their clients. Mine had a list of landlords who were familiar with tenants on benefits and were more willing to work with us. Good luck with everything! The process is stressful but you definitely have options. 💪

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! I was on CalWORKs with a toddler when my rent went up $300 overnight. The stress was unreal, but I want you to know there IS help available and you absolutely can qualify for housing assistance. What saved me was learning about the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) through my county. It's different from HSP and can provide immediate help while you're applying for long-term housing. They helped me with a security deposit for a new place when my old landlord wouldn't budge on the rent increase. Pro tip: When you call tomorrow, ask specifically about "rapid rehousing" programs too. These are designed exactly for situations like yours - when you're stably housed but suddenly can't afford your current place. They often have faster turnaround times than traditional housing assistance. Also, don't sleep on calling community organizations and churches in your area. Many have emergency rental assistance funds that aren't widely advertised but can bridge the gap while you're waiting for county programs to kick in. You've got this! The system is frustrating but there are people who want to help. 🏡✊