Can CalWORKs help with rental arrears through Homeless Assistance when I'm 3 months behind?

Yes! You can absolutely get help with rent through CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program. There are two types: temporary (hotel vouchers) and permanent (which helps with rent deposits AND back rent). Since you already have housing but are at risk of eviction due to being behind, you'd apply for permanent Homeless Assistance. You can get up to 2 months of back rent paid (unfortunately not all 3 months you owe). You'll need to prove that you can afford the rent going forward though. The landlord will need to agree to stop the eviction if CalWORKs pays the back rent. You need to apply for this ASAP - do not wait! Tell your worker you have an emergency housing situation. Most counties have a specific Homeless Assistance application form.

I went thru teh EXACT same thing last year!!! My landlord gave me a 3 day notice when i was 2 months behind and calworks saved me with there homeless assistance. IMPORTANT: you need to bring the 3-day notice with you when you apply!! That proves your emergency. And your landlord has to sign a form saying they'll accept the payment and stop eviction. the STUPID THING is u cant apply online, u have to go to the office in person for emergency assistance. I waited 6 hours when i went but they did approve me that same day because i had a kid under 5.

I'm dealing with this right now too and it's SO FRUSTRATING trying to get help! I've called my county office 17 TIMES this week and can't get through to anyone about my housing emergency. My worker never picks up or calls back. The automated system just keeps disconnecting me after 30+ minutes on hold. I'm about to lose my apartment too and I feel like nobody at CalWORKs even cares!!! They expect us to just magically maintain stable housing on the tiny Cash Aid they give us. It's literally impossible.

Try using Claimyr to get through to a real person at your county office. It's the only way I was able to reach someone when I needed emergency homeless assistance last month. The automated phone systems are impossible, but Claimyr got me through to a worker in 10 minutes when I'd been trying for days. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - just go to claimyr.com. My worker processed my HA application the same day once I finally reached her.

Important information about Permanent Homeless Assistance that others haven't mentioned yet: 1. You can only get this once in a 12-month period, so make sure you have a plan to pay rent going forward 2. CalWORKs can pay up to 80% of your total rent arrears, with a maximum of two months' rent 3. Your rent must be considered "reasonable" - meaning it doesn't exceed 80% of your total household income 4. You must be able to prove you CAN afford future rent payments 5. You need to provide: eviction notice, current lease, proof of arrears (statement from landlord) For fastest service, go in person and tell them you need to see an emergency worker for Homeless Assistance. Make sure to bring your kids with you - sadly, it often helps them take your case more seriously.

Thank you all for the advice! I went to the county office today (brought my kids and all the paperwork). Had to wait for 3 hours but finally got to speak with an emergency worker. They're processing my Permanent Homeless Assistance application and said I should hear back within 1-3 business days. The worker said they can cover 2 months of my back rent, and I'll need to work out a payment plan with my landlord for the 3rd month. They also helped me apply for a special needs supplement since my hours were cut at work. Fingers crossed this works out!

not to be negative but my friend got approved for homeless assitance and the check took 2 weeks to actually come through. her landlord got impatient and almost evicted her anyway. just a heads up that "1-3 days" might not be accurate in real life.

Has anyone else noticed that CalWORKs makes it IMPOSSIBLE to reach them by phone when you're in crisis?? Like they literally design the system to fail us. I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone about my eviction last month before I finally gave up and just took my kids to the office to wait all day. The system is BROKEN.

UPDATE: Great news! My Homeless Assistance was approved! They're paying two months of my back rent ($2,800) directly to my landlord. I showed my landlord the approval letter and he agreed to a payment plan where I'll pay the remaining $1,400 over the next 4 months ($350 extra each month). He canceled the eviction notice! I'm so relieved. The worker also helped me report my decreased income so my Cash Aid amount will increase starting next month. Thank you everyone for your advice - you literally helped save my family from homelessness.

So glad to hear your success story! This gives me hope for others in similar situations. One thing I'd add for future readers - if you're facing eviction, you can also contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for additional rental assistance programs in your area. Many counties have emergency rental assistance through other sources too, like Community Action agencies or non-profits. Sometimes combining CalWORKs Homeless Assistance with other programs can cover more of your back rent. Also, if anyone is reading this and their landlord won't work with them even after getting CalWORKs approval, contact your local tenant rights organization - landlords are required to accept government assistance payments in most situations.

This is such an important thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm a newcomer here but wanted to add something that might help others in similar situations. I work at a local legal aid clinic and we see a lot of CalWORKs families facing eviction. A few additional tips: 1. If your landlord refuses to accept the CalWORKs payment or won't stop the eviction process, contact your local legal aid office immediately. In California, landlords generally cannot refuse government assistance payments. 2. Keep detailed records of ALL communication with your landlord, CalWORKs workers, and anyone else involved. Save texts, emails, and write down phone conversations with dates/times. 3. If you're still struggling after getting Homeless Assistance, ask about the CalWORKs Special Needs supplement. This can sometimes provide additional one-time payments for housing-related expenses. 4. Don't forget about utility assistance too - if you're behind on gas/electric, programs like LIHEAP can help prevent shut-offs while you're getting back on your feet. The system is definitely challenging to navigate, but stories like Aileen's show it can work when you know how to access the right programs!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me as someone new to this community! I'm not currently facing an eviction crisis, but I've been worried about my rent going up next year and wondering what options might be available if I ever fall behind. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm struck by how much knowledge exists within this community that isn't easily found elsewhere. The specific details about the 80% rule, the importance of bringing eviction notices as proof, and tips like using services to get through to workers - this is the kind of real-world information that can make the difference between staying housed and becoming homeless. I'm especially grateful to see how people followed up with updates like Aileen did. It's so encouraging to see a success story, and it helps others understand the full process from crisis to resolution. One question I have - for those who've been through this process, is there anything you wish you had known BEFORE you fell behind on rent? Any preventive steps or early warning signs that might help others avoid getting to the eviction notice stage in the first place? Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative space. This community is clearly making a real difference in people's lives.

Thank you so much for sharing all of this valuable information! As someone who's new to this community and navigating the CalWORKs system, I'm amazed by how much practical wisdom exists here that you just can't find in official handbooks or websites. Aileen, I'm so relieved to hear your story had a happy ending! Your experience really shows how important it is to act quickly and be persistent, even when the system seems overwhelming. For others who might be reading this thread in the future, I wanted to highlight something that really stood out to me: the importance of going to the office in person for emergency situations. While it's frustrating that you can't apply online for Homeless Assistance, it seems like showing up with your children and documentation really does make a difference in getting immediate attention. I also appreciate everyone mentioning the various workarounds for reaching workers by phone - services like Claimyr, asking about emergency housing units with direct numbers, and even trying to reach WTW workers instead of eligibility workers. These are the kinds of insider tips that can be lifesavers when you're racing against an eviction deadline. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had experience with what happens if CalWORKs approves your Homeless Assistance but then your landlord still won't work with you? The legal aid perspective from Landon was really helpful, but I'm wondering if anyone has actually had to fight a landlord who refused to accept the payment or honor their agreement to stop eviction proceedings?

As someone who's new to navigating CalWORKs, this entire thread has been incredibly educational and gives me so much hope! I'm not currently in a housing crisis, but seeing how the community came together to help Aileen with specific, actionable advice really shows the power of shared knowledge. A few things that really stood out to me from reading everyone's experiences: 1. The importance of acting fast - that 3-day notice timeline is so tight, but it sounds like CalWORKs can actually respond quickly when you present it as an emergency 2. Going in person seems to be the key, even though it means waiting hours with kids. The online system limitations are frustrating but at least there's a path forward 3. Documentation is everything - keeping copies of eviction notices, approval letters, landlord agreements, etc. seems crucial for protecting yourself I'm curious about one thing that came up - several people mentioned that having children under 5 can help speed up the process. Is this an official policy, or just something workers tend to prioritize? I have a 3-year-old and it would be helpful to know if that's something I should specifically mention if I ever need emergency assistance. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences and knowledge. This kind of community support can literally be the difference between keeping a roof over your family's head or not. Aileen, I'm so glad everything worked out for you and your kids!

This thread has been such a valuable resource! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how much practical knowledge everyone has shared. Reading through Aileen's journey from crisis to resolution really highlights how the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program can work when you know how to navigate it properly. What strikes me most is how critical timing and persistence are - that 3-day eviction notice created urgency, but it also served as the documentation needed to prove the emergency. The fact that you have to go in person for this type of assistance is frustrating, but it sounds like once you're face-to-face with a worker, the system can actually respond quite effectively. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips shared here: bringing all documentation including the eviction notice, asking specifically for emergency Homeless Assistance, and the importance of getting everything in writing from landlords. The suggestion to use services like Claimyr to get through phone systems, and the mention of legal aid resources for landlord issues, are the kinds of insider knowledge that can make all the difference. For anyone else who might find this thread in the future - it's clear that while the CalWORKs system has its challenges, there ARE resources available for housing emergencies. The key seems to be knowing exactly what to ask for, what documents to bring, and being prepared to advocate for yourself. This community's willingness to share their experiences and support each other through these crises is truly inspiring. Thank you everyone for creating such a supportive space where people can get real, actionable help during their most vulnerable moments!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly moved by this entire thread! Reading through Aileen's journey from receiving that terrifying 3-day eviction notice to successfully securing CalWORKs Homeless Assistance has been both educational and inspiring. What really stands out to me is how this conversation perfectly illustrates the power of community knowledge. The official CalWORKs resources and websites don't capture the nuanced, practical advice that everyone shared here - like the importance of bringing your eviction notice as emergency documentation, the reality that you'll need to wait hours at the office with your kids, and the fact that having children under 5 can expedite your case. I'm especially grateful for the transparency about the system's limitations - the fact that Homeless Assistance only covers up to 2 months of back rent, the 12-month waiting period between applications, and the phone system challenges that force you to go in person for emergencies. These are crucial details that can help people set realistic expectations and plan accordingly. The follow-up resources mentioned throughout this thread - Claimyr for phone assistance, legal aid for landlord issues, 211 for additional rental assistance, and the various CalWORKs supplements beyond just Cash Aid - show there's actually a broader safety net available than many people realize. Aileen, congratulations on successfully navigating this crisis and keeping your family housed! Your willingness to update the community with your progress will undoubtedly help others facing similar situations. Thank you to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experience - this is exactly the kind of supportive community that can make life-changing differences for families in crisis.

This thread has been an incredible resource for me as someone new to both this community and the CalWORKs system! I'm not currently facing a housing crisis, but I'm amazed by how much practical, life-saving knowledge has been shared here. What really impresses me is how everyone rallied around Aileen when she was in crisis, providing specific, actionable advice rather than just generic sympathy. The details about bringing the 3-day notice as emergency documentation, the reality of waiting hours at the office, and the importance of getting landlord agreements in writing - these are the kinds of insights you simply can't find in official program materials. I'm particularly grateful for the transparency about both the system's strengths and limitations. Learning that Homeless Assistance can cover up to 2 months of back rent but has a 12-month waiting period, or that phone systems are nearly impossible but in-person visits can get same-day approval - this helps people approach the process with realistic expectations and proper preparation. The additional resources mentioned throughout this discussion - from Claimyr for phone assistance to legal aid for landlord disputes to 211 for supplemental rental help - show there's actually a broader safety net than many people realize. It's clear that while navigating these systems is challenging, there ARE pathways to help when you know where to look. Aileen, I'm so glad your story had a positive outcome! Your updates will undoubtedly help future families facing similar crises. Thank you to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experience - this is exactly the kind of community support that can prevent homelessness and keep families together.