Got eviction notice (pay or quit) - how to apply for emergency CalFresh assistance ASAP?

I think you're mixing up different programs. CalFresh is food assistance only (it comes on an EBT card). It sounds like you're thinking of CalWORKs which can sometimes provide emergency housing assistance if you have children, or possibly HDAP (Housing Disability Advocacy Program) if you have a disability. There's also the Housing Support Program but that typically has waitlists. For a pay or quit notice, you need rental assistance not food benefits. Contact your county social services office IMMEDIATELY and ask about emergency rental assistance programs. Some counties still have post-COVID rental funds available but it varies.

Hate to break it to u but CalFresh ONLY helps with food, not rent. they give you a card to buy groceries. sounds like whoever told u that at the shelter was confused or you misheard. You need to try these instead: - Call 211 right now - Local Community Action Agency - Salvation Army sometimes has emergency rent funds - Catholic Charities or St Vincent de Paul Those places can sometimes give emergency one-time help for rent when ur facing eviction.

OMG this happened to me last year. CalFresh won't help with your rent AT ALL but you should still apply for it anyway so you can at least eat! What you need is emergency rental assistance. Try calling your county's housing authority ASAP. The eviction process takes longer than 3 days in California at least - after a pay or quit notice they still have to file an unlawful detainer and go to court. You have more time than you think but don't waste it!

While others have correctly pointed out that CalFresh is for food assistance only, you should definitely still apply for it ASAP. That way you can use your limited cash for rent instead of groceries. You can apply online through BenefitsCal.com and request expedited services (emergency CalFresh) which can be approved in 3 days if you qualify. For your immediate housing crisis, contacting your local Housing Authority or 211 is your best bet. Also look into ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) which was created during COVID and some counties still have funds available.

I tried calling my county benefits office for weeks when I was in a similar situation last year and could NEVER get through. Always busy signals or disconnects. Wasted so much time. Finally I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in under 5 minutes. They basically call for you and connect you when they get a human. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed emergency help. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

Everyone is right that CalFresh won't help with rent, but I want to give you some actual emergency resources that might help in your specific situation: 1. Many counties have Homeless Prevention funds that can help with a pay or quit notice, but you need to apply IMMEDIATELY. These programs are specifically designed for your situation. 2. Legal Aid can sometimes help you negotiate with your landlord for more time - search for your local Legal Aid office. 3. If you've lived in your apartment for a while and always paid on time before, bring that up when asking for an extension from your landlord. 4. Some churches and community organizations have rental assistance funds that can be approved quickly in emergency situations. Definitely apply for CalFresh too so you can use your money for rent instead of food, but know that it won't directly help with your housing crisis.

hey just wondering, did u try talking to your landlord directly? sometimes they'll work with u if u can pay part now and rest later. worth a shot before panicking. also check if your city has rent control laws cuz that affects eviction process. good luck!!

I see lots of good advice here already. I just want to add that while you're sorting out the immediate housing crisis, definitely still apply for CalFresh. You can get expedited benefits (within 3 days) if your income and resources are below certain thresholds. For a single person in 2025, if your monthly income is below $1,580 and you have less than $250 in available resources, you could qualify for expedited service. This won't solve your housing issue, but it will free up whatever money you do have to put toward rent instead of food. You can apply online through BenefitsCal.com or in person at your county office (which is usually faster in emergency situations).

I notice some confusion in the thread. To clarify: CalFresh = food benefits only. CalWORKs = cash aid (primarily for families with children). General Assistance/Relief = last-resort cash aid program for single adults (varies hugely by county and typically very small amounts). For your immediate eviction situation, what you need is: 1. Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - some counties still have funds 2. Homeless Prevention Program through your county's Continuum of Care (CoC) 3. Check if your county has a Homelessness Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) And definitely follow up on the Legal Aid suggestion - California has strong tenant protections, and a legal advisor can help you navigate the eviction process while you're seeking assistance.

I work at a nonprofit that helps people navigate housing crises, and I want to add a few more emergency resources that might help: 1. **Sacramento Emergency Rental Assistance Program** - Check if Sacramento County still has ERAP funds available through their Housing Authority. They can sometimes process applications within 5-7 days for urgent cases. 2. **2-1-1 Sacramento** - When you call, specifically ask about "eviction prevention" services. They maintain a database of local organizations with emergency rental funds. 3. **Sacramento Self-Help Housing** - They have a rapid rehousing program and emergency assistance fund. Call them at (916) 341-0593. 4. **Wind Youth Services** - Even though you're not youth, they sometimes have emergency housing funds available for young adults up to age 25. Also, California law requires landlords to accept partial payments if offered, and they can't just lock you out after 3 days. You have additional time while they go through the court process. Use this time wisely to gather resources and apply for assistance programs. Apply for CalFresh today online - having food assistance will free up every dollar you have for rent. In your situation, every bit helps.

I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share something that might help with your immediate situation. While everyone's correctly explained that CalFresh is only for food assistance, there's actually a specific program in California called Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) that many people don't know about. It's administered through local nonprofits and can sometimes provide direct rental assistance. Also, since you mentioned you're in Sacramento, the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance has something called the Flexible Housing Pool that provides emergency rental assistance specifically for people facing immediate eviction. You need to call them at (916) 874-2072 and explain your pay-or-quit situation. One more thing - document EVERYTHING. Take photos of your pay-or-quit notice, keep records of all your calls and applications. If your landlord tries to rush the eviction process, you'll need this documentation. California's tenant protection laws are strong, but you need to know your rights and have paperwork to back them up. Definitely still apply for CalFresh though - every dollar you save on food can go toward your rent shortfall.

I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in because I went through something very similar last year in Los Angeles County. First, everyone's absolutely right that CalFresh is only for food benefits - I made the same mistake initially thinking it would help with rent. Here's what actually saved me from eviction: **Immediate Action Items:** - Contact your county's 211 service TODAY - they have real-time info on what emergency rental assistance is actually available right now - Apply for CalFresh online immediately so you can redirect food money to rent - Call Sacramento Legal Aid Society at (916) 551-2150 - they can advise you on the actual eviction timeline and your tenant rights **Time Reality Check:** You have more time than 3 days. After a pay-or-quit notice, your landlord has to file an unlawful detainer lawsuit, serve you court papers, wait for your response period, and get a court judgment before any actual eviction can happen. This usually takes 4-6 weeks minimum, even if you don't fight it. **Sacramento-Specific Resources:** - Sacramento Homeless Services Coordinating Council has emergency prevention funds - Try calling St. John's Program for Real Change - they sometimes have rapid assistance for working people facing eviction Don't panic - you have options and more time than you think. Use this time strategically to work through the assistance programs people have mentioned.