Got emergency CalFresh hotel vouchers - what housing assistance comes next?

CalFresh itself doesn't handle housing assistance - that's a common misunderstanding. What you received is probably through CalWORKs HSP (Housing Support Program) or maybe the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program if you qualify. When you go back on the 17th, specifically ask about: 1. Move-in assistance (can cover security deposit, first month's rent, and sometimes last month's rent) 2. Utility connection fees 3. Moving costs assistance 4. Possible rental subsidies for 3-6 months depending on your situation Bring any apartment listings you're considering and ask if they work with that price range. Also ask about Section 8 waitlist status - though that's usually much longer-term.

they dont give u enough time with those vouchers tbh. took me like 2 MONTHS to find somewhere that would accept my income. make sure u ask for extensions!!! and dont tell them u have any leads on apts even if u do or theyll cut u off the hotel program faster

What you actually need to ask for is the Permanent Housing Assistance program through HDAP or CalWORKs (depending on your eligibility for either). This is separate from your CalFresh food benefits. For housing assistance, they can typically provide: - Security deposit (up to 2x monthly rent in most counties) - First month's rent in full - Move-in costs like application fees - Utility deposits and connection fees - Essential furniture stipend in some counties (around $600-800) The key is to find an apartment with rent that's sustainable for your income long-term, as most assistance is one-time only. They may ask for proof of income, rental history, and documentation of your housing search efforts. Make sure to document every apartment you apply for or consider. Also, when you go back on the 17th, I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to call ahead and make sure your appointment is actually in their system and the next voucher is ready. Their video shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. It lets you skip the hold times and get a callback directly from a real worker. Saved me hours when dealing with my housing assistance.

I went thru this last year & its confusing because different ppl qualify for different programs. If u have kids ur gonna get more help thru CalWORKs housing. If ur disabled, ask about HDAP. If ur just single with low income, ask about the Housing Support Program. They all have different rules. Biggest advice: GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. I got promised rental assistance for 3 months but then they only did 2 months and claimed they never said 3. Also ask if they do direct payment to landlord or if they give u the money...big difference.

just be careful they don't count those hotel vouchers as "income" on your CalFresh!!! happened to me and they reduced my food benefits saying the hotel assistance was "income" which is TOTALLY wrong. had to file an appeal and everything. keep your calfresh case separate from housing if possible. different workers, different departments if u can manage it.

Has anyone mentioned rapid rehousing to you? It's a program specifically designed to get people from homelessness to stable housing quickly. In addition to what others mentioned (deposit, first month's rent), rapid rehousing can sometimes provide: - Rent subsidies that gradually decrease over 6-24 months - Case management to help with budgeting - Employment assistance/job training - Credit repair help The thing is, many counties have different names for essentially the same services. When you go in, specifically say you're interested in "rapid rehousing" or "homeless prevention and rehousing" programs. Also, start gathering documents NOW - birth certificate, ID, social security card, proof of income, bank statements. They'll need all of this, and missing documents can delay assistance by weeks.

if ur already gettin calfresh make sure u tell them ur homeless too cuz ur supposed to get MAX benefits when homeless! no address = max snap

Hey Raúl! I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you're apartment hunting, look for landlords who already work with county assistance programs. Some property management companies have specific units set aside for people getting housing assistance, and they're already familiar with the paperwork and payment process. Also, don't forget to ask about the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) while you're homeless - you can use your EBT card at participating restaurants instead of trying to cook in a hotel room. Subway, Carl's Jr, and some other chains participate. It's a lifesaver when you don't have kitchen access. One more tip: if you find an apartment you like, ask the landlord if they'd be willing to hold it for a few extra days while your assistance gets processed. Many are understanding if you explain your situation and show them you have assistance lined up. Good luck with your appointment on the 17th!

Raúl, I'm so glad you finally got some help! I've been following your posts and was worried about you. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you go back on the 17th, ask specifically about the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). It's different from regular housing assistance and can provide up to 18 months of rental assistance with decreasing payments over time. Also, start calling 211 now to get on waitlists for other housing programs while you're in the hotel. Don't wait until you're about to lose the voucher - some programs have months-long waitlists but if you get called up while you're still in temporary housing, you'll have more options. And definitely take advantage of that Restaurant Meals Program someone mentioned - you'll need to keep your energy up for all this apartment hunting! The county website should have a list of participating restaurants, or you can ask your CalFresh worker when you see them. Hang in there, you're making real progress! 🙏

Raúl, this is such great news that you finally got some help! I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share something that really helped me - when you're looking for apartments, try to focus on places that are 30% or less of your monthly income. I know that's hard with $1,800/month, but the county housing assistance works much better when your long-term rent is sustainable. Also, if you haven't already, ask about the Coordinated Entry System (CES) in your county. It's like a centralized waitlist for all housing programs, and being in the hotel program might actually bump up your priority score since you're actively homeless. They can connect you to permanent supportive housing if you have any qualifying conditions, or rapid rehousing if you don't. One practical tip - start taking photos of every apartment listing you look at, even if you don't apply. The county workers sometimes want proof that you're actively searching, and having a folder of listings with notes about why each one didn't work out (too expensive, wouldn't accept assistance, etc.) can help justify extensions if you need them. You've got this! The hardest part was getting into the system, and you've already done that. 💪

Raúl, this is amazing progress! I'm so happy you finally got through to someone who could help. I went through the housing assistance process about a year ago and wanted to add a few things that really saved me: 1. When you go back on the 17th, ask if they have any "preferred landlord" lists - these are property owners who regularly work with the county and understand the assistance programs. They're usually much faster with approvals and paperwork. 2. If you're looking at apartments, ask potential landlords upfront if they accept "third-party payments" - that's often how they phrase county rental assistance. Saves you time on places that won't work with the programs. 3. Keep ALL your hotel receipts and any paperwork they give you. I had to prove my homeless status multiple times for different programs, and having that documentation made everything smoother. 4. Ask about utility assistance too! PG&E and other companies have special programs for people transitioning out of homelessness - they can waive deposits and setup fees. The fact that you're already thinking ahead and planning shows you're going to do great with this. Having stable housing makes everything else so much easier. Wishing you the best with your search! 🏠

Raúl, I'm so relieved to hear you finally got some help! I've been homeless twice and know how frustrating it is when your case just sits there. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - ask about the CalWORKs Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) even if you're not disabled. Sometimes they have overflow funding they can use for general housing assistance when other programs are maxed out. Also, when you're apartment hunting, consider looking slightly outside the main city areas. I found a place about 20 minutes out that was $200/month cheaper, and the landlord was much more flexible about the county assistance timeline. Sometimes those smaller landlords are more willing to work with you than big property management companies. One last tip - if you have a smartphone, download the Zillow and Apartments.com apps and set up alerts for your price range. The good affordable places get snatched up within hours of being posted, so getting notifications right away can make a huge difference. You've got this! The hardest part was getting into the system, and you're already there. Keep us updated on how the 17th goes! 🙌

Hey Raúl! This is such great news - I'm so glad you finally got through and got some help! The housing assistance maze is confusing but you're on the right track. One thing I want to add that might be helpful - when you go back on the 17th, ask specifically about "move-in cost assistance" vs just "rental assistance." Some programs will cover your security deposit and first month's rent as separate line items, which can be really helpful when you're trying to budget everything out. Also, since you mentioned you're working part-time at $1,800/month, make sure they know your work schedule when discussing apartments. Some case workers can help coordinate viewings and paperwork around your job so you don't have to keep taking time off. And honestly? Don't feel bad about needing extensions on the hotel vouchers if apartment hunting takes longer than expected. The system moves slowly and good affordable housing is hard to find - that's not your fault. Focus on finding something sustainable rather than rushing into the first place that accepts you. You're doing everything right by planning ahead and asking questions. Keep advocating for yourself - you've got this! 💪

Raúl, this is such wonderful news! I've been following your posts and was so worried about you sleeping in your car. Finally getting that hotel voucher must be such a relief. I wanted to add something I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you go back on the 17th, ask about the "Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program" (HHAP) funding. It's different from the other programs people mentioned and sometimes has shorter waitlists. They can help with rental assistance, security deposits, and even temporary financial assistance for work-related expenses like gas money for job interviews or apartment viewings. Also, since you mentioned having a part-time job, make sure to bring recent pay stubs with you. Sometimes they can fast-track your application if they can verify steady income right away, even if it's not full-time. One practical tip from my own experience - start calling apartments during your lunch breaks or after work to ask about their application process and timeline. That way when you do find "the one," you'll know exactly what paperwork they need and how quickly they can move. Some places take weeks just to process applications, while others can approve you in 24-48 hours if everything checks out. You're doing all the right things by planning ahead. Having stable housing is going to change everything for you! 🏡

Raúl, I'm so happy you finally got some help! I went through a similar situation last year and wanted to share something that really helped me during the apartment search - create a "housing assistance packet" to bring with you when viewing apartments. Include copies of: - Your income verification/pay stubs - A letter from your case worker confirming you have housing assistance approved (ask for this on the 17th!) - Your ID and Social Security card copies - A brief personal statement explaining your situation professionally Having everything ready in a folder made landlords take me more seriously and showed I was organized and prepared. Some landlords who were initially hesitant about county assistance changed their minds when they saw I had all my paperwork together and could explain the process clearly. Also, don't forget to ask about the difference between "rapid rehousing" and "homeless prevention" programs - you might qualify for both depending on your situation, and combining them could give you more comprehensive assistance. The restaurant meals program someone mentioned is a lifesaver - I lived on Subway and Jack in the Box for weeks while apartment hunting. It's so much better than trying to survive on snacks from gas stations! You're going to get through this. Having that hotel voucher is the first step, and you're already asking all the right questions. Keep us updated! 🙌