Suddenly homeless with kids while on CalFresh - what emergency help is available?

I'm so sorry you're going through this. CalFresh itself doesn't provide emergency housing, but there are related programs that can help. You should immediately: 1. Contact your county CalFresh caseworker and explain your situation - they can refer you to emergency housing resources and might be able to fast-track assistance 2. Apply for CalWORKs if you haven't already - it provides cash aid for families with children and has special provisions for homeless families including temporary homeless assistance 3. Ask about the Housing Support Program (HSP) through CalWORKs which specifically helps homeless families find permanent housing and can help with deposits, rent, and utilities 4. Request an expedited SAR7 processing if you've had an income change, as this might increase your CalFresh benefits Don't wait - these programs have specific timelines and the sooner you apply, the better.

been there hun. it SUCKS. the homeless assistance thru calworks saved us last year. we got hotel vouchers for 16 days while looking for place + they helped w/ security deposit when we found somewhere. u NEED 2 apply ASAP tho cause it takes time to process even tho its "emergency" aid. bring the eviction notice 4 sure.

CalFresh doesn't directly help with housing but your county office can point you to resources. When I became homeless with my daughter last summer, I went to the housing authority office directly and explained my situation was urgent. They have emergency priority vouchers but you have to be persistent! Also check with local churches - the Catholic charities in my area paid for 2 weeks in a motel until my other benefits started.

You need to immediately apply for CalWORKs if you haven't already. They offer two types of homeless assistance: 1. Temporary Homeless Assistance: Can provide up to 16 days of payments for temporary shelter 2. Permanent Homeless Assistance: Can help with security deposits and rent You can receive CalFresh and CalWORKs simultaneously. For fastest processing, bring proof of your homelessness situation (eviction notice) and your children's identification. You may also qualify for expedited CalWORKs processing because you have children and are facing imminent homelessness. Request this specifically when applying. Also important to know: If you become homeless, you're still eligible for CalFresh and don't need a permanent address - you can use a shelter, friend's address, or even the county office itself as your mailing address.

When I lost my housing last winter, I couldn't get through to anyone at the county for days. I was literally calling from my car with my kids. Finally I used this service called Claimyr to get through to a real person at my county office. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. It got me connected to a caseworker in like 10 minutes when I had been trying for days. The caseworker immediately set me up with emergency resources through the Housing Support Program. Saved us from sleeping in the car for who knows how long. Their website is claimyr.com if you're struggling to reach someone.

Make sure to tell them you have NO alternative housing options. If they think you can stay with family even temporarily they may not consider it an emergency. I made this mistake and it delayed my assistance. Be very clear that you and your children will be on the street without help.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!! I was homeless for 3 months with my kids even AFTER applying for emergency assistance. They keep saying "processing time" while we slept in my sister's garage with no heating. These programs sound good on paper but the REALITY is they're underfunded and overwhelmed. Apply for EVERYTHING but also reach out to local non-profits and don't count on the government to save you quickly!!!

One important thing that hasn't been mentioned: if you become homeless, make sure to report this change to your CalFresh office. When you're homeless, certain CalFresh rules change in your favor: 1. You may deduct shelter costs even without rent receipts 2. You're exempt from certain resource limits 3. You can get CalFresh benefits even without a cooking facility 4. You may qualify for expedited service (getting benefits within 3 days) Also, if you find temporary housing where you can't cook, you can apply for the Restaurant Meals Program (in certain counties) which allows you to use your EBT card at participating restaurants. When you report becoming homeless, request a recalculation of your benefits based on your new circumstances.

dont forget bout school stuff if ur kid is in school!! when we were homeless my daughters school gave us special services thru the McKinney-Vento act. they helped with school supplies, free meals, and even transportation to keep her in same school even tho we moved to different district temporarily. the school counselor helped us a lot!!

I'm so sorry you're facing this situation with your children. As someone who works with families in crisis, I want to emphasize a few urgent steps that haven't been fully covered: 1. **Call 211 immediately** - They have real-time information about emergency shelter availability and can often get you on waiting lists faster than going through individual agencies. 2. **Contact your local Coordinated Entry System** - Every county has one for homeless services. They prioritize families with children and can connect you to rapid rehousing programs that might get you housed faster than traditional waitlists. 3. **Ask about Emergency Housing Vouchers** - These are different from regular Section 8 and specifically for people experiencing homelessness. They often have shorter wait times. 4. **Document everything** - Take photos of your eviction notice, keep records of all calls/applications. This helps expedite services and appeals if needed. 5. **Know your rights** - In California, you cannot be evicted in 30 days if you've been there over a year (it's typically 60 days). Double-check your notice with a tenant's rights organization. You're being proactive by reaching out now. That gives you a much better chance of avoiding sleeping in your car. Stay strong - there are people and programs designed to help families exactly like yours.

I'm heartbroken reading your story, but please know you're not alone and there IS help available. I went through something similar 3 years ago with my twin boys when our apartment building was condemned suddenly. Here's what I learned that might help you RIGHT NOW: **Immediate CalFresh Actions:** - Call your caseworker TODAY and report that you're facing imminent homelessness. This can trigger expedited processing for other benefits - Ask specifically about the "homeless deduction" for CalFresh - you might qualify for additional benefits even without paying rent - Request they flag your case as "emergency" status **CalWORKs Emergency Aid:** - Apply for CalWORKs Homeless Assistance ASAP - don't wait until you're actually on the street. The 30-day notice qualifies as "imminent homelessness" - Bring: eviction notice, kids' birth certificates, your ID, proof of income, and any documentation showing you can't find affordable housing - Ask specifically for "Temporary Homeless Assistance" (up to 16 days hotel/motel vouchers) AND "Permanent Housing Assistance" (deposit/first month help) **Schools:** - Contact your 7-year-old's school counselor immediately about McKinney-Vento Act protections. They can provide meals, supplies, and ensure school stability even if you move districts temporarily. You have almost a month - that's actually more time than many people get. Use every single day to apply for programs and make calls. Document everything and don't take "no" for an answer without asking to speak to a supervisor. Sending you strength mama. Your kids are lucky to have someone fighting this hard for them. 💙