Need help with THAP+14 rental search requirements for CalFresh housing assistance
I just got approved for the THAP+14 rental assistance program through my county office (they said it's part of my CalFresh benefits package), but I'm super confused about what they want for the "rental search documentation" part. My social worker briefly explained it during our meeting yesterday, but honestly, I was so overwhelmed with all the paperwork that I didn't fully understand what I need to provide. She mentioned something about needing proof that I'm actively looking for housing, but didn't specify what counts as acceptable documentation. Has anyone here gone through this process before? What exactly did you submit for the rental search requirement? I'm worried my benefits will be delayed if I don't get this right. My housing situation is getting really urgent.
18 comments


Edwards Hugo
I completed the THAP+14 program last year and can help you with the rental search documentation. They typically want to see evidence that you've been actively searching for rental properties. This usually includes: 1. Screenshots or printouts of rental listings you've viewed 2. Email communications with landlords/property managers 3. Copies of rental applications you've submitted 4. Documentation of property viewings (confirmation emails, texts with landlords) 5. A log tracking your search efforts (dates, properties, contact information, outcomes) You should aim to document at least 3-5 housing searches per week to show you're making a good faith effort. Keep everything organized by date, and make copies of everything before submitting!
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Dylan Fisher
•Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed. Quick follow-up question - do the rental properties need to be within a certain price range? My worker mentioned something about "reasonable market rate" but didn't specify what that means in my county.
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Gianna Scott
i did thap+14 in 2024 and the rental search part was a NIGHTMARE!!!! my worker kept rejecting my documentation saying it wasnt enough proof. ended up having to start all over again after wasting 3 weeks. so frustrating!!!!!
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Dylan Fisher
•Oh no, that sounds awful! What did you end up submitting that finally got approved? I'm trying to avoid any delays since my current housing situation is really time-sensitive.
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Alfredo Lugo
For the THAP+14 rental search documentation, the specific requirements can vary slightly by county, but generally they want proof that you're making a good-faith effort to find housing within your budget. Based on my experience helping clients with this program: - Keep a detailed log with dates, property addresses, contact names, and outcomes - Save screenshots of ALL online searches and inquiries - Get business cards or names of any leasing agents you speak with - Take photos of properties you visit (with timestamp if possible) - Keep copies of any applications, even if you didn't end up submitting them - Document any application fees you paid The key is demonstrating consistent effort over time rather than just a bunch of searches in one day. Most counties want to see that you're searching multiple times per week.
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Sydney Torres
•This! Listen to this person! I did everything my caseworker said and still got denied twice because I didn't have "enough variety in my search" whatever that means lol. Apparently looking at apartments on just one website isn't enough.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
When I went through THAP+14 for my CalFresh housing supplement last year, the rental search requirement was really frustrating because properties would get rented before I could even view them! My tip: create a dedicated email just for your housing search so all communications are in one place. Also, don't just rely on big rental websites - check community bulletin boards, local Facebook groups, and ask at your county office if they have a list of landlords who regularly work with assistance programs. Those landlords are usually more familiar with the paperwork requirements.
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Dylan Fisher
•The dedicated email is a great idea! I'm going to set that up right now. My county is pretty rural so there aren't many online listings - the Facebook groups tip might really help me find more options.
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Caleb Bell
have u tried calling ur worker again to explain better? mine never answered my calls for weeks and i almost lost my spot in the program cuz i couldnt get clarification on the rental search stuff. so stressful
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Danielle Campbell
•If you're having trouble reaching your worker by phone, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was in the same situation last month with my CalFresh housing supplement application and couldn't get through to anyone. Claimyr helped me get through to a live person in under 5 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Their website is claimyr.com - it was honestly a lifesaver when I needed clarification on my documentation requirements.
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Gianna Scott
WATCH OUT cause they want u to prove u looked at places that match ur voucher amount!! I got in trouble cause I was looking at places that were too expensive and my worker said I wasn't taking the program seriously!!! Such BS when there's literally no affordable housing anywhere!!
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Edwards Hugo
•This is an important point. For THAP+14 through CalFresh, your rental searches should generally be within the payment standard for your county and household size. You can ask your worker for the exact maximum rent amount they'll approve. Looking at places significantly above that limit can sometimes be interpreted as not making a good-faith effort to find eligible housing.
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Sydney Torres
ppl keep saying its part of calfresh but its actually not exactly... THAP+14 is separate but they use ur calfresh eligibility to determine if u qualify. source: my cousin works for the county lol
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Alfredo Lugo
•You're partially correct. THAP+14 (Transitional Housing Assistance Program) can be associated with CalFresh in some counties as part of their comprehensive benefits package, but the funding sources are different. CalFresh eligibility can be one pathway to qualify for THAP+14, but they are separate programs administered together. The rental search documentation requirements are specific to THAP+14, not standard CalFresh.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
For my rental search documentation, I created a simple spreadsheet with columns for: Date, Property Address, Rent Amount, Contact Name, Contact Method (phone/email/in-person), Response, and Notes. I attached all supporting evidence (emails, screenshots, etc.) after organizing them by date. My worker actually complimented me on how organized it was, and it made the approval process go much faster. It took some time to put together but was worth it to get approved without delays.
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Dylan Fisher
•This is brilliant! I'm definitely going to create a spreadsheet like this. Did you submit both digital and physical copies? I'm not sure if I should print everything out or if I can email the documentation.
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Gianna Scott
my social worker told me i had to prove contact with at least 10 different properties before they would approve my next step in THAP+14. but then another worker told someone else they needed 15!!! the requirements seem to change depending who u talk to!!!!
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Alfredo Lugo
•The specific number of properties you need to contact can indeed vary by county and sometimes by individual case circumstances. Rather than focusing on a specific number, I recommend focusing on consistency and thoroughness in your search. Document everything, search regularly (2-3 times per week minimum), and vary your search methods. A comprehensive search over time is generally more important than hitting a specific number of properties.
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