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.

I work at a nonprofit that helps families navigate housing crises, and I want to emphasize something important - bring documentation of your eviction notice when you go to the county office. This helps establish the urgency of your situation and can speed up processing. Also, if you have any income from work (even part-time), don't let that discourage you from applying for CalWORKs. The income limits are higher than many people think, especially for families with children. One practical tip: when you get the hotel vouchers, ask the county worker for the phone numbers of ALL participating hotels, not just a list. Some hotels that officially participate might claim they're "full" when you call, but if you show up in person with the voucher, they're more likely to accommodate you. Sacramento County also has a Coordinated Entry System for housing - ask about getting on that list immediately. It's separate from the emergency vouchers but is your pathway to longer-term housing assistance. Stay strong - you're doing everything right by reaching out for help and planning ahead.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my daughter. One thing I wish someone had told me - bring a bag with snacks, water, and activities for your kids when you go to the county office. The wait can be really long (I was there for 4 hours) and having hungry, bored kids makes an already stressful situation so much worse. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to seems unhelpful or doesn't know about all the programs. Ask to speak with a supervisor or someone who specializes in homeless assistance. I had to ask three different people before I found someone who actually knew about the emergency housing vouchers. One more thing - if you have any friends or family who can watch your kids during your county office visit, that might make the process easier. But if not, don't let that stop you from going. The workers understand that parents in crisis situations don't always have childcare options. You've got this, Emma. It's going to be hard but there is help available. Keep advocating for yourself and your kids.

Emma, I'm a single mom and went through something very similar about 8 months ago. Here's what I learned that might help you get through this faster: 1. Get to the county office RIGHT when they open (usually 8 AM) - the earlier you go, the shorter the wait and the more likely they'll have time to process everything same day. 2. If you're already getting CalFresh, you should already be in their system which can speed things up. Bring your EBT card as proof. 3. Ask specifically for "Temporary Homeless Assistance" and mention you have minor children - this puts you in a priority category. 4. Sacramento County works with about 8-10 hotels for vouchers. The nicer ones fill up fast, so be prepared to stay somewhere basic but safe. Extended Stay America locations sometimes participate and are better for families. 5. While you're there, also apply for the Permanent Homeless Assistance program - it can help with deposits and first month's rent when you find a permanent place. The 16 days goes by SO fast, so start looking for permanent housing immediately. Check Sacramento Housing Authority's website daily for openings. Also try calling apartment complexes directly - sometimes they have units that aren't advertised online yet. You're going to get through this. Your kids are lucky to have a mom who's fighting so hard for them.

I'm a social worker who has helped many families navigate emergency housing situations in California. A few additional points that might be helpful: Sacramento County has a specific Emergency Family Shelter program separate from the hotel vouchers - it's actual shelter space designed for families and often has better resources like case management and childcare referrals. Ask about this when you visit the county office. Also, document EVERYTHING during your hotel stay - save receipts, take photos of room conditions, keep notes of any problems. If you need to extend beyond the initial approval, having documentation helps show you're actively seeking permanent housing. One resource many people don't know about: California's Housing and Community Development (HCD) website has a rental assistance locator tool that shows all available programs in your area. Some nonprofits have emergency rental assistance that can help with deposits/first month's rent and might have shorter wait times than county programs. Finally, if you're working part-time, you might qualify for childcare assistance through CalWORKs Stage 1, which can help you maintain your income while searching for housing. The system is complex but there are more resources available than most people realize. Don't give up if the first person you talk to can't help - keep asking until you find someone who knows all the programs.

I'm really sorry you're going through this Emma. As someone who has been in a similar situation, I want to add a few practical tips that helped me when I was navigating emergency housing with my kids: 1. Bring multiple copies of all your documents (ID, birth certificates, eviction notice, pay stubs) - the county office might need to keep some copies and having extras prevents delays. 2. If possible, charge your phone fully before going to the county office and bring a portable charger. You'll likely need to make calls to hotels, and the wait times can drain your battery. 3. Start researching permanent housing options NOW, even before you get the hotel vouchers. Check Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and PadMapper for Sacramento rentals under $1500. Many landlords are more flexible about deposits if you explain your situation and can show you have CalWORKs assistance coming. 4. Ask about the "Homeless Prevention Program" specifically - it's different from temporary assistance and might help with rent/utilities to prevent future housing crises. The most important thing to remember is that this is temporary. It feels overwhelming right now, but there are people and programs designed to help families exactly like yours. Your kids are going to remember how hard you fought for them during this difficult time. Stay strong and update us on how it goes tomorrow if you can. We're all rooting for you!

Emma, I'm sending you and your kids so much strength for tomorrow. Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you have a solid plan - getting to the county office early, bringing all your documents, asking specifically about Temporary Homeless Assistance and the Emergency Family Shelter program. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned - if you have any medical needs for you or your children (medications, special dietary requirements, etc.), make sure to mention this when you're talking to the county worker. Sometimes this can help prioritize your case or connect you to additional resources. Also, don't be afraid to advocate firmly for yourself and your children. You're not asking for charity - these programs exist specifically for situations like yours, and you have every right to access them. If you feel like someone isn't taking your situation seriously, don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor. The Sacramento area also has some good food banks and community resource centers that can help with immediate needs while you're in temporary housing. The River City Food Bank and Sacramento Food Bank are both family-friendly and can help stretch your CalFresh benefits. You're being an incredible mom by reaching out for help and planning ahead. Your kids are going to be okay because they have you fighting for them. Please update us when you can - we're all pulling for your family.

Emma, I wanted to share one more resource that might be helpful - if you're in Sacramento County specifically, they have a Family Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program that's separate from the standard CalWORKs emergency assistance. It's funded through HUD and sometimes has shorter wait times. When you're at the county office tomorrow, ask about "Rapid Re-Housing" - this program can help with not just temporary hotel stays but also rental assistance for permanent housing, which might be exactly what you need to get back on your feet quickly. They can sometimes provide up to 24 months of rental assistance depending on your situation. Also, bring a small notepad to write down names, phone numbers, and program names - there's going to be a lot of information coming at you and it's easy to forget details when you're stressed. You've got this, and your preparation shows you're going to advocate well for your family tomorrow.

Emma, I'm a case worker who has helped many families in your exact situation. I wanted to add a few important points to all the excellent advice you've already received: 1. When you go to the county office tomorrow, specifically ask for the "Emergency Aid" desk or "Immediate Need" window - this is different from regular CalWORKs intake and designed for crisis situations like yours. 2. If you haven't already applied for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), do that while you're there too. With kids ages 7 and 9, you may still qualify and it provides additional food assistance beyond CalFresh. 3. Sacramento County also participates in the "Continuum of Care" program which coordinates all homeless services. Ask to be enrolled in their database - this can connect you to additional resources like rental assistance, utility help, and even furniture when you find permanent housing. 4. Bring school enrollment records for your children if you have them. Being enrolled in Sacramento schools can sometimes provide priority access to certain family programs. The fact that you're planning ahead and reaching out for help shows you're going to navigate this successfully. Your kids are lucky to have such a proactive mom. Remember - these programs exist exactly for situations like yours, and using them is not a failure but smart parenting. Wishing you the best tomorrow. You've got this!

Emma, I hope your visit to the county office went well today! I've been thinking about you and your kids since reading your post. As someone who works with families experiencing housing crises, I wanted to add one more resource that might help - Sacramento has a "Family Emergency Shelter" program through Volunteers of America that specifically serves families with children. It's different from the hotel vouchers and provides more comprehensive services like case management, children's programming, and help finding permanent housing. The phone number is (916) 492-2591. Even if you were able to get hotel vouchers today, it might be worth calling them as a backup option or for when your vouchers expire. They also have connections to rapid rehousing programs that can help with deposits and rent for permanent housing. Please let us know how things went if you're able to - this whole community is rooting for you and your children!

Emma, I've been following your thread and wanted to share a resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - Sacramento County's "Housing Choice Voucher Emergency Transfer" program. If you're fleeing domestic violence, experiencing harassment, or facing other safety concerns that contributed to your housing crisis, you may qualify for emergency priority on the Section 8 waiting list rather than waiting years like most applicants. Even though you mentioned eviction as the immediate cause, sometimes there are underlying safety issues that qualify families for faster assistance. Also, when you're staying in the hotel (assuming you got approved today), download the "Sacramento Steps Forward" app on your phone if you have one. It has real-time information about available shelter beds, housing resources, and can help you check in with the Coordinated Entry System remotely instead of having to go to their office in person. One practical tip from my own experience helping families - if you end up in a hotel that doesn't have a kitchenette, ask the front desk if they have a mini-fridge you can borrow for your room. Most hotels have extras, and being able to store fresh food will help stretch your CalFresh benefits and keep your kids eating healthy during this stressful time. Really hoping your county visit went smoothly today and that you and your children have a safe place to sleep tonight!

Emma, I really hope your county office visit went well today and that you were able to get emergency housing assistance for you and your kids. This thread has been incredible to read - seeing so many community members share detailed, practical advice from their own experiences and professional knowledge shows how much people care about helping families in crisis. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful as you work toward permanent housing - Sacramento has a "Family Unification Program" (FUP) through the housing authority that specifically helps families who are at risk of losing their children to foster care due to housing issues. Since you mentioned you're facing homelessness with your 7 and 9 year olds, this program provides both housing vouchers and supportive services to keep families together. It has much shorter wait times than regular Section 8 because it's considered child welfare prevention. Also, if you weren't able to get help today or need additional support, the Sacramento Self-Help Housing nonprofit (916-341-0593) has emergency assistance funds that can sometimes help with hotel costs while you wait for county assistance to process. Please update us when you can - everyone here is genuinely invested in seeing you and your children get the help you need. You're clearly a strong advocate for your family, and with all the resources people have shared here, I'm confident you're going to find a path forward. Sending strength to you and your kids!

Emma, I hope everything went well at the county office today! I've been following this thread and I'm amazed by how much helpful information everyone has shared. I wanted to add one more thing that might help - if you're having trouble getting through to any of the phone numbers people have mentioned, try calling right when offices open (usually 8 AM) or right after lunch (around 1 PM). Those tend to be the best times to actually reach a person instead of getting stuck in phone queues. Also, I know someone mentioned 211 earlier, but I wanted to emphasize how helpful they can be. They have operators available 24/7 who know about local resources and can often provide phone numbers for programs that aren't widely advertised. If you're ever stuck or need help navigating between different programs, they're a great resource to call. Really hoping you and your kids found a safe place to stay tonight. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your family, and with all the resources people have shared here, I'm confident you'll find a path to stable housing. Please update us when you can - this whole community is rooting for you!