Can I use CalFresh benefits to help pay my rent? Housing assistance options?

CalFresh only covers food, not rent unfortunately. But you might qualify for CalWORKs since you have kids. They give cash aid that CAN go toward rent. Also check out Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - they helped my cousin with 3 months rent last year when she almost got evicted.

CalFresh is specifically for food assistance and cannot be used for rent. However, there are several housing programs you might qualify for based on your income: 1. Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - provides temporary help with rent and utilities 2. CalWORKs - provides cash aid to families with children (even some working families qualify) 3. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) - which you're already on the waitlist for 4. Housing Support Program (HSP) - for families at risk of homelessness 5. Local non-profit rental assistance programs I'd recommend contacting your county social services office to see what's available. Your income of $2,800/month with two children might qualify you for additional assistance.

I was in similar situation last yr. CalFresh only covers food but your income sounds low enough to qualify for several housing programs. What helped me was calling my county worker directly and asking about ALL available resources. I kept getting disconnected until I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you back when a worker is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 After 20 mins on hold, I finally got through & found out I qualified for emergency housing assistance AND CalWORKs even though I work. The worker helped me apply for everything at once. Saved us from eviction.

calfresh is just food stamps it DOESNT pay rent AT ALL!!!

Have you tried applying for low-income housing apartments? They calculate rent based on income, usually around 30% of what you make. The waitlists are shorter than Section 8 sometimes. My sister got into one within 6 months in Elk Grove. With your income and kids, you'd probably qualify. Just Google "income-based apartments Sacramento" and start calling them all to get on waitlists.

Everyone keeps mentioning CalWORKs but no ones telling you the FULL truth - if you apply for CalWORKs you have to participate in their Welfare-to-Work program which means meetings and paperwork and job search requirements EVEN IF you already work full-time!!! They'll hassle you about child support from the fathers too and make you cooperate with child support services. The cash aid might not be worth all the extra requirements and appointments, especially if you're already working full time. Just so you know what you're getting into.

have u tried churches? my family got help from catholic charities when we almost got evicted last year. they paid one month rent for us which gave us time to figure things out. salvation army sometimes helps too. worth a shot!

I just remembered! There's also something called Family Stabilization funds through CalWORKs that can help with move-in costs if you need to find a cheaper place. They helped my cousin with security deposit and first month's rent when she had to move due to rent increase. Might be worth asking about if you decide to move rather than try to stay in your current place.

Your rent is WAYYY too high for your income! Financial advisors say housing should be MAX 30% of income which means you should pay like $840/month not almost $2000!!! The whole system is broken!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - housing costs are absolutely crushing families right now. While CalFresh can't directly pay rent, maximizing your food benefits does free up more of your paycheck for housing costs, which is smart thinking. A few things that might help immediately: Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they have a database of local emergency rental assistance programs beyond just ERAP. Also, check if Sacramento has any tenant protection ordinances that might limit how much your landlord can raise rent at once. For your CalFresh, make sure you're getting the maximum amount by reporting any changes in your situation. Sometimes people don't realize they can get more benefits when their housing costs go up significantly. And definitely apply for CalWORKs - even with the requirements others mentioned, the cash assistance could be a lifeline right now. You're doing everything right by reaching out and exploring all options. Don't give up - there are people and programs designed to help prevent exactly this situation.

I'm in a similar boat with housing costs eating up way too much of my income. One thing that really helped me was contacting the Sacramento Self-Help Housing Corporation - they have emergency rental assistance programs that aren't as well-known as ERAP but can sometimes process faster. Also, if you're a daycare worker, you might qualify for some profession-specific assistance programs. The Child Care Resource and Referral agency sometimes has emergency funds specifically for childcare workers facing housing crises. And definitely ask your CalFresh worker about the Homeless Prevention Program - even if you're not technically homeless yet, being at risk of eviction can qualify you for additional resources. Hang in there, you're not alone in this struggle!

Have you looked into the Sacramento Housing Trust Fund? They provide emergency rental assistance and sometimes move faster than other programs. Also, since you work at a daycare, you might qualify for assistance through First 5 Sacramento - they have emergency funds for early childhood education workers. Another option is to contact your local Community Action Agency - they often have utility assistance programs that could free up money for rent. And don't forget to check with your employer about any emergency assistance funds they might have for employees facing housing crises. Many childcare centers have started offering this kind of support given how underpaid the sector is. You're being so proactive about this - keep pushing for every resource available!

I'm a case manager at a local nonprofit and see families in your exact situation daily. Here's what I tell everyone: apply for EVERYTHING at once, don't wait. You mentioned you're already on CalFresh - when you report your rent increase to them (which you absolutely should do ASAP), ask specifically about the Homeless Prevention Services program. Many people don't know this exists but it can provide up to $5,000 for rent/deposits when you're at imminent risk of homelessness. Also, Sacramento County has a Flexible Housing Pool that specifically helps working families avoid eviction - the income limits are higher than most programs since you're employed. And here's something most people miss: if your daycare is federally funded or receives state grants, you might qualify for their employee hardship funds. I've helped several childcare workers access these. Finally, document EVERYTHING - save all your rent notices, income stubs, and application confirmations. Having organized paperwork speeds up every single program. You're going to get through this!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this housing crisis - it's happening to so many working families right now and it's absolutely heartbreaking. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you've gotten some amazing advice about programs I didn't even know existed! One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you end up having to move, look into the Homekey Program. It's newer and provides permanent supportive housing for people transitioning out of homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. The eligibility requirements might be different than traditional housing programs and could be worth checking out given your situation. Also, since you mentioned working at a daycare, you might want to reach out to the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network - they sometimes have emergency assistance specifically for childcare providers that isn't widely advertised. You're being incredibly proactive by exploring all these options, and I really hope some of these programs come through for you quickly. Your kids are lucky to have a mom who's fighting so hard to keep them housed and fed. Sending you all the positive energy - please keep us updated on how things go with these applications!