Need emergency housing assistance for first month's rent/deposit as single mom with 3 kids - CalFresh enough?

CalFresh is strictly a food benefit program and doesn't provide rental assistance. But you should definitely look into these programs: 1. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) - long waitlists but worth applying 2. CalWORKs - can provide cash aid for families with children AND has a homeless assistance program that can help with temporary shelter costs or move-in costs 3. Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program - can sometimes help with deposits 4. Local Housing Authority emergency programs Call your county human services office ASAP and ask specifically about the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program. They can sometimes provide payment for temporary shelter and/or permanent housing assistance with security deposits and last month's rent. The fact that you have children will make you higher priority.

been there done that hun. when i left my ex I got help from a local DV shelter even tho it wasnt exactly DV situation. they helped me with deposit + 1st month through their emergency funds. call 211 they will connect u with ALL the resources not just the gov ones. sometimes churches and nonprofits have faster help than the county programs. good luck mama stay strong for those babies!!!

As others mentioned, CalFresh is nutrition assistance only, but there are housing resources specifically designed for your situation. I recommend applying for multiple programs simultaneously since timelines vary: 1. CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program can provide temporary shelter payments and/or permanent housing assistance. With three children, you qualify for higher payment amounts. They can sometimes expedite in emergency situations. 2. Reach out to the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Emergency Solutions Grant programs. They fund local agencies that provide rapid rehousing assistance. 3. Look into TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) emergency funds. 4. For your CalFresh benefits, make sure you reported your new household size (just you and the children) so you get the maximum benefit amount. Also, when calling about these resources, be sure to mention your 10-day timeline repeatedly to emphasize the urgency of your situation.

Have you tried HousingIsKey.com? It's California's rental assistance portal and they sometimes have emergency funds available. When my cousin needed help last year they covered her deposit but it did take like 3 weeks to process. Also definitely check with Catholic Charities and Salvation Army - both helped me with utilities when I was in a similar spot.

FWIW, when I was in your situation trying to reach the CalWORKs homeless assistance people was IMPOSSIBLE!!! Kept getting voicemail or disconnected. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a live person in 20 minutes when I'd been trying for DAYS. They have a demo video here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Totally worth it because I got approved for emergency housing assistance within 48 hours once I actually talked to someone. Good luck!

CalFresh doesnt cover housing but have u applied for CalWORKs? Thats what helped me when i left my ex. They have special programs for homeless or at-risk families and can help with deposit + first months rent!! Also if ur in LA county theres a program called Beyong Shelter that specifically helps single moms get housing fast. What county r u in??

A lot of good suggestions here. One thing to consider - when you apply for CalWORKs, your child support situation will come up. They will typically require you to cooperate with child support services to pursue support from your children's father unless you have good cause not to (like domestic violence concerns). This doesn't stop you from getting help, but it's something to be prepared for when applying. Also, as a stopgap measure, check with local churches and organizations like St. Vincent de Paul who sometimes have emergency funds that can be approved much faster than government programs. Sometimes they can help with a portion of the deposit while you're waiting for the larger assistance programs to come through.

One more critical tip based on my experience working with families in transition: If you've found an apartment that works for you, talk to the landlord/property manager DIRECTLY about your situation. Some landlords will work with you if they know assistance is coming, especially if you can get an agency to provide written verification that you're approved for assistance but awaiting disbursement. I've seen landlords agree to accept the deposit in two payments or allow families to move in with partial payment. Having the conversation upfront is better than waiting until the last minute. Bring any approval letters from CalFresh or other programs to show you're actively securing assistance.

I a single mother with 3 children ages 3,4,5 I'm on welfare I'm having trouble finding a home for us we have been squatting in a abanned house I need to find a good safe home for my children and i

Also check if your county has a Coordinated Entry System (CES) for homeless services - most counties in California have this now. You call one number and they assess your situation and connect you to all available housing resources at once instead of you having to call multiple places. In Sacramento County, you can call 211 and ask to be connected to CES. With 3 kids and only 10 days left, you'll likely be prioritized for rapid rehousing assistance. They can sometimes get emergency hotel vouchers within 24-48 hours while permanent housing assistance is being processed. Don't give up - there are people whose job it is to help families exactly like yours!

I'm a case manager who works with families in crisis situations like yours. Here are some immediate steps that could help within your 10-day timeline: 1. **Apply for CalWORKs emergency assistance TODAY** - they have a Homeless Assistance Program that can provide immediate temporary shelter payments AND help with move-in costs. With 3 children, you're automatically high priority. 2. **Contact your local Continuum of Care** - in Sacramento, call Sacramento Steps Forward at (916) 577-9770. They coordinate all homeless services and can get you into their rapid rehousing program quickly. 3. **Emergency rental assistance through ERAP** - Sacramento County still has federal emergency rental assistance funds available that can cover deposits and first month's rent. Call (916) 876-9055. 4. **Ask about expedited processing** - when you call any agency, use these exact words: "I am homeless with three minor children and have only 10 days before we have nowhere to stay." This triggers emergency protocols. Most importantly, apply to MULTIPLE programs simultaneously - don't wait for one to be approved before applying to others. Time is critical with children involved, and agencies understand this. You've got this, mama - the system is designed to help families exactly like yours.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - the Salvation Army's Family Services program. They often have emergency financial assistance specifically for housing deposits and first month's rent, and their approval process can sometimes be faster than government programs (often within 2-3 days). In Sacramento County, you can reach them at (916) 442-0331. They'll want to see proof of income, your rental application/lease agreement, and documentation of your current housing crisis. Since you mentioned having $500 saved and a new job starting, they might be able to cover the gap between what you have and what you need. Also, don't forget to ask every agency you contact about their "emergency/crisis" application process - many have expedited tracks for families with children who are facing imminent homelessness. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and with only 10 days left, make sure everyone you speak with understands the urgency of your timeline. Sending you strength during this incredibly difficult time. Your kids are lucky to have such a determined mom fighting for them!

I work for a nonprofit that helps families transition out of crisis situations, and I wanted to add a few more immediate resources that might help with your 10-day timeline: 1. **Catholic Charities Emergency Services** - they often have same-day or next-day emergency rental assistance available. In Sacramento, call (916) 706-1539. 2. **Local food banks often have emergency financial assistance programs** - Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services has a Family Stabilization Program that can help with housing costs. Call (916) 456-1980. 3. **United Way 2-1-1** - when you call, ask specifically about their "Emergency Financial Assistance Database" - they maintain a real-time list of which agencies currently have emergency housing funds available. 4. **Crisis nurseries and family resource centers** - even if you don't need childcare, they often have emergency assistance funds or know about resources other agencies don't. One tactical tip: when you call tomorrow, ask each agency for the names of 2-3 OTHER organizations they'd recommend for emergency housing assistance. Case workers often know about smaller, local funds that aren't widely advertised. You're doing everything right by reaching out for help. Keep advocating for your family - you've got this!

I've been reading through all these amazing responses and wanted to add one more urgent resource - your local Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). In Sacramento County, this federal program specifically helps families facing immediate homelessness with rental deposits and first month's rent. Call the Sacramento County EFSP coordinator at (916) 874-9712. What makes this program special is they often have less paperwork than other programs and can sometimes approve assistance within 24-48 hours for families with children. They work directly with landlords too, so if you find an apartment, they can often call the property manager to confirm payment is coming. Also, since you mentioned you have a new job starting - bring your job offer letter or employment verification to every appointment. Having proof of future income stability makes agencies much more likely to approve emergency assistance because they know you'll be able to sustain the housing once you get in. One final tip: if any agency says they're out of funds or can't help, ask them "When do you expect your next funding cycle?" Sometimes they get emergency allocations or new funding monthly. Don't give up after one "no" - the landscape of available assistance changes constantly. You're being such a strong advocate for your children. Keep pushing forward - there are people and programs designed specifically to help families like yours!

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been following your situation closely. As someone who works in social services, I want to emphasize something that might get overlooked in your rush to make calls tomorrow - document EVERYTHING. Keep a simple log with the date, time, agency name, person you spoke with, and what they told you. This serves two purposes: 1) if someone gives you incorrect information, you have a record to reference when you call back, and 2) some agencies can expedite your case if you show you've been actively seeking help from multiple sources. Also, when you're making all these calls tomorrow, ask each agency about their "emergency contact" or "crisis line" numbers. Many have after-hours emergency numbers for situations exactly like yours where families are facing imminent homelessness. Having those numbers could be crucial if your 10-day timeline gets even shorter. One last thing - if you run into any agencies that seem unhelpful or dismissive, don't let that discourage you. Ask to speak with a supervisor or call back and try a different representative. Sometimes it really does depend on who you get on the phone, especially for emergency assistance programs. You're doing an incredible job advocating for your family in an extremely difficult situation. Your children are going to remember how hard you fought to keep them safe and housed. Keep pushing forward - you've got an entire community rooting for you!