How to get emergency housing vouchers through CalFresh/CalWORKs - hotel options?

Just to clarify, hotel vouchers aren't actually part of the CalFresh program - CalFresh is specifically for food benefits. What you're looking for is likely through CalWORKs (if you have children) or General Assistance/Relief (if you don't). You need to contact your county social services office immediately to ask about Homeless Assistance. In emergency situations, they can provide temporary shelter payments, but you need to meet eligibility requirements and be approved for cash aid first.

GO TO THE COUNTY OFFICE IN PERSON!!!!! Dont waste time on the phone you'll never get through and this is to important. I did this last yr when my apartment burned down. bring your ID and birth certificates for kids if you have them (if not tell them you lost everything). They can give 16 days of hotel vouchers per 12 month period but only if you meet income requirements. You can get it same day if you go early!!

i got a hotel voucher in 2023 for me and my son. not all hotels take them, mostly just the cheap ones by the highway. they only gave me 8 days tho not 16 like someone else said. also you gotta call the county every day to renew it or they'll cancel it and you'll be stranded

I'm a housing case manager and want to clarify a few things about emergency housing assistance in California: 1. The program is called "Temporary Homeless Assistance" through CalWORKs (not CalFresh) 2. You must be eligible for CalWORKs (have dependent children and meet income requirements) 3. It provides vouchers for up to 16 days in a 12-month period 4. The county provides a list of participating hotels/motels (varies by county) 5. You must be experiencing homelessness or have a 24/48 hour eviction notice 6. You need to be actively looking for permanent housing during your stay Also look into: - Permanent Homeless Assistance (move-in costs for permanent housing) - Housing Support Program (HSP) for longer-term assistance - Emergency Solutions Grant programs Definitely go in person to your county office as others suggested. The process is much faster.

when I needed this last january I waited on hold with county benefits for SIX HOURS and never got through. felt like they were ignoring me on purpose tbh... just driving around with my stuff in my car trying to find somewhere to sleep and wasnt able to get any help. The system is SO BROKEN

totally depends which county ur in too. I'm in alameda and they only work with like 4 hotels and they're all gross tbh. my friend in sacramento had more options. call 211 they can tell u which hotels in ur area take the vouchers

Just to add some important information - if you're facing eviction but haven't been evicted yet, you may also qualify for eviction prevention assistance, which could help you stay in your current housing rather than having to use temporary homeless assistance. This might be preferable, especially with children. Also, make sure you're receiving all the benefits you're eligible for. If you're on CalFresh but not CalWORKs, you should apply immediately. The CalWORKs cash aid plus the housing assistance programs are much more substantial than what's available through CalFresh alone. Finally, the county office can refer you to permanent supportive housing programs, especially for families with children. These have longer waitlists but offer more stable solutions than the temporary vouchers.

Another resource to consider - contact your local Family Resource Center if your county has one. They often have connections to emergency housing resources beyond just the county welfare office and might be able to help you navigate the system faster. Also, if your children are in school, contact the school district's homeless liaison (every district has one). The McKinney-Vento Act requires schools to provide additional support to homeless students and families, and the liaisons often know about housing resources.

I'm so sorry you're going through this situation. As a mom myself, I can't imagine how stressful this must be with two young children. In addition to all the great advice here about CalWORKs emergency housing assistance, I wanted to mention a few other immediate resources: 1. Call 211 (just dial 2-1-1) - they have a comprehensive database of emergency housing resources in your area and can tell you exactly which hotels accept vouchers in Sacramento. 2. Reach out to local churches and faith-based organizations even if you're not religious - many have emergency assistance funds or connections to temporary housing. 3. Contact the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities - they often have emergency shelter programs specifically for families with children. 4. If your kids are enrolled in school, definitely contact their school's homeless liaison as someone mentioned. They can provide immediate support and connect you to family-specific resources. Also, when you go to the county office tomorrow, ask specifically about the "Bringing Families Home" program if it's available in Sacramento County - it's designed for families with children facing homelessness and may have additional resources beyond the standard 16-day hotel vouchers. Wishing you and your children safety and stability. You're being a good mom by fighting for your family.