URIDA lists 88 programs for people in California: 81 from government agencies, 7 from nonprofits, foundations, utilities and other private groups. Each one was checked against its official page. Some serve only part of the state, and dates and rules change, so look on the official page before you apply.
URIDA is not a government agency. Each program's operator takes applications and decides eligibility.
California WIC (Women, Infants & Children Program)
Who it is for
May qualify if pregnant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding, or had a baby (or recent pregnancy loss) in the last six months, or have or care for a child under age 5; and low-to-medium income or receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh (SNAP); and live in California.
Families involved with the child welfare system who are experiencing, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness; programs first prioritize child welfare-involved families who are literally homeless.
Families in the CalWORKs program that are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. As of FY 2024-25, fifty-six (56) counties operate HSP.
Current APS clients, people in APS intake, or people who may be served through a Tribal social services agency, experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness due to elder or dependent abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
Individuals experiencing homelessness who are likely eligible for disability benefits. As of FY 2023-24, fifty-six (56) counties and 17 tribal agencies participate in HDAP.
First-time homebuyers who occupy the property as a primary residence, complete homebuyer education counseling, and meet CalHFA income limits; property must be a single-family, one-unit residence, including approved condominium/PUDs.
Low-income customers of CPUC-regulated utilities with household income at or under the CARE limits (e.g., $43,280 for 1-2 persons, $66,000 for 4) or enrolled in listed programs such as Medi-Cal, WIC, NSLP free lunch, SNAP, LIHEAP, SSI, or TANF/Tribal TANF.
Consumers who meet the CARE or FERA income limits; upper limit = 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (e.g., $39,900 for 1 person, $82,500 for 4). Multifamily (MFES): owner certifies at least 65% (deed-restricted) or 80% (non-deed restricted) of tenant households qualify.
Families who are SCE, SDG&E or PG&E customers whose income slightly exceeds CARE limits, up to 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (e.g., $54,100 for 1-2 persons, $82,500 for 4, $14,200 each additional person).
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Who it is for
Eligible low-income households in California; LIHEAP aims at 'assisting low-income households that pay a high portion of their income to meet their energy needs.' 'Eligibility for services may vary depending on sources of income and other factors.'
Utility customers who rely on life support equipment (e.g., respirators, hemodialysis machines, motorized wheelchairs) or have life-threatening illnesses, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, are paraplegic or quadriplegic, or have a compromised immune system.
Must be a resident of California; have a positive HIV/AIDS diagnosis; be at least 18 years old; have annual MAGI not exceeding 600% Federal Poverty Level; and not be fully covered by Medi-Cal or any other third party payers.
Black women and birthing people 16 or older, pregnant or up to six months postpartum at enrollment, regardless of income. Served in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Long Beach, Pasadena.
People in California buying health insurance; 'Most Californians who buy health insurance through Covered California qualify for financial help. How much you get depends on your household income and size.'
Family PACT (Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment) Program
Who it is for
California residents who are low income (under 200% of the federal poverty level) with no other source of coverage for family planning; must be able to get pregnant or cause a pregnancy. Age does not matter.
Children and adults who receive Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program; 'Medi-Cal Dental covers dental services for most Medi-Cal members.' Dental Managed Care plans apply in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties.
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
Who it is for
Eligible California families in need, including families with a child(ren) deprived of parental support or care because of the absence, disability or death of either parent, and families with both parents home but the principal earner unemployed.
General Assistance or General Relief (GA/GR) Program
Who it is for
Indigent adults who are not supported by their own means, other public funds, or assistance programs; benefits, payment levels, and eligibility requirements vary among each of California's 58 counties.
Eligible low-income families who are not on CalWORKs; APPs prioritize families involved in or at risk of child welfare involvement, then families with the lowest gross income.
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) Child Care
Who it is for
Current or former CalWORKs cash aid recipients who are employed or in county approved Welfare-to-Work activities, and pregnant and parenting teens in Cal-Learn; children through the age of 12, and exceptional needs and severely disabled children up to age 21.
Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children (Bridge Program)
Who it is for
Approved resource families; family placements in an emergency or for a compelling reason (often relative caregivers); parents under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, including nonminor dependent parents. Vouchers cover children birth through age 12 (exceptional needs up to 21).
People who receive CalFresh benefits, are at least 16 years old, are not subject to CalWORKs (TANF) work requirements, and live in a county where CalFresh E&T is offered; not every county offers it.
How to Become an Apprentice (California Division of Apprenticeship Standards)
Who it is for
People interested in becoming an apprentice in California. Educational requirements vary by program; some require an aptitude or other test, and 'Most programs require English proficiency.'
Run by Employment Development Department (EDD), State of California
Who it is for
Workers unable to do their regular work who lost wages to bond, care or support a deploying family member; employed or actively looking for work when leave starts; earned at least $300 and paid into State Disability Insurance (SDI) in the last 18 months.
'Temporary income for eligible workers who lost their job (or had hours reduced) through no fault of their own.' Listed requirements include a Social Security number, authorization to work in the United States (if not a US citizen), enough base-period wages, and being available and looking for work.
California College Promise Grant Fee Waiver (CCPG)
Run by California Community Colleges
Who it is for
Eligible California residents, or students exempt from non-resident fees under the California Dream Act; awarded based on financial need. Students must sustain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a completion rate of more than 50 percent.
Persons 18 years of age or older who meet specific medical necessity and are currently eligible for Medi-Cal under a qualifying primary Medi-Cal aid code (older adults and adults with chronic medical, cognitive, or behavioral health conditions and/or disabilities).
Medicare Counseling (HICAP) - Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Who it is for
Counseling is provided to: persons 65 years of age or older eligible for Medicare; persons younger than 65 with a disability eligible for Medicare; persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. Education events are available for individuals of any age.
Persons 60 years of age or older who are eligible for Medi-Cal under a qualifying primary Medi-Cal aid code and who are certified or certifiable for placement in a skilled nursing facility.
Working individuals who continuously meet the federal definition of disability, have net family income of less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level, and countable assets not exceeding $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional person.
Eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals who are California residents, have a Medi-Cal eligibility determination, live at home or an abode of their own choosing, and submit a completed Health Care Certification form.
Regional Centers (Department of Developmental Services)
Who it is for
People with a disability that begins before the individual's 18th birthday, is expected to continue indefinitely and presents a substantial disability (e.g., intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism); infants and toddlers 0 to 36 months may also qualify.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)/Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Who it is for
People unable to perform any substantial work due to a physical and/or mental condition lasting or expected to last at least 12 months or expected to result in death; SSDI is based on previous Social Security contributions, SSI on income level.
State Disability Insurance (SDI) - Disability Insurance (DI)
Run by Employment Development Department (EDD), State of California
Who it is for
Workers who can't do their regular work for at least eight days, have lost wages because of the disability, are working or looking for work when it begins, and earned at least $300 with SDI deducted. 'Citizenship and immigration status do not affect eligibility.'
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (California Department of Rehabilitation)
Run by California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Who it is for
Individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially impedes their ability to secure employment, who require VR services and can benefit in terms of an employment outcome; SSA benefit recipients or 'Ticket to Work' holders are presumed eligible.
People eligible for California's SSP in December 1999 who served in the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines military forces in the service of the United States during World War II, are eligible for the federal Special Veterans Benefit, and reside in the Republic of the Philippines.
Veterans purchasing an owner-occupied home in California who served on active duty a minimum of 90 days (excluding training), have a discharge under honorable conditions, and do not have a current CalVet Home Loan; no prior residency rules; Guard/reservists ordered to Federal active duty can apply.
Dependents of veterans under Plans A-D (children/spouses of totally service-connected disabled or deceased veterans; children of service-connected disabled veterans within an income limit; CA National Guard dependents; Medal of Honor recipients); all must meet California residency requirements.
Qualified veterans who, due to a service-connected injury or disease, have been rated 100% disabled or are compensated at the 100% rate due to unemployability, and unmarried surviving spouses; applies to the claimant's principal place of residence.
Residents of California who are 65 years old or older, blind, or disabled non-citizens, ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to immigration status, who meet income and resource requirements and the immigration status criteria (MPP Section 49.020).
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Cuban and Haitian Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA)
Who it is for
Refugees not otherwise eligible for other cash aid; groups listed: Refugees, Asylees, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, Afghan and Iraqi SIV Holders, Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees, Amerasians from Vietnam, and Certified Human Trafficking Victims.
Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)
Who it is for
Non-citizen victims of crime who need immediate services and are obtaining a legal humanitarian status or assisting in the prosecution of a crime, including trafficking victims not yet certified by OTIP and victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes.
People in California courts without a lawyer: 'Anyone who does not have their own lawyer can get help from these programs. It does not matter how much money you make.' Both sides of a case can use these programs.
Disability Rights California (DRC) legal help intake
Who it is for
An individual, family member, or advocate for someone with a disability who has questions about legal rights related to the disability (Californians with disabilities). 'We do not discriminate on the basis of immigration status.' DRC says it cannot represent every person who contacts it.
Run by Franchise Tax Board (FTB), State of California
Who it is for
People who paid someone to care for a qualifying child (under 13), spouse/RDP, or dependent while they worked or looked for work; care provided in California; must have earned income; federal adjusted gross income $100,000 or less; joint return if married.
Current and former foster youth who qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), were ages 18 to 25 at the end of the tax year, and were in foster care at age 13 or older and placed through the California foster care system.
Run by Franchise Tax Board (FTB), State of California
Who it is for
California families with earned income of $32,900 or less, a qualifying child under 6 years old at the end of the tax year, who qualify for CalEITC – with one exception (for tax year 2025, zero earned income or a net loss of up to $35,640 is allowed if other requirements are met).
California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA)
Who it is for
Income eligible persons (drivers) in California needing liability coverage to meet California's financial responsibility laws; per SB 1273 (effective January 01, 2015) drivers with less than 3 years verifiable driving experience may participate and vehicle values rose from $20,000 to $25,000.
California residents with household income less than or equal to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level who are the registered owner of a functional vehicle to retire/scrap; outside participating air districts, eligible residents apply through the statewide Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP).
Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) - vehicle retirement
Who it is for
Registered owners (title in their name) of a drivable passenger vehicle, truck, SUV, or van with GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less registered with the California DMV; the $1,500 and $2,000 options require gross household income less than or equal to 225% of the Federal poverty level.
Run by California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), State of California
Who it is for
A qualified disabled person with impaired mobility (lost use of one or more lower extremities or both hands; a diagnosed disease that substantially impairs mobility; unable to move without an assistive device; or specific, documented visual problems); travel placards also for nonresidents.
Households enrolled in a qualifying program (e.g., Medi-Cal, LIHEAP, SSI, CalFresh, WIC, CalWORKs) or with total annual gross income at or below $24,600 (1), $33,300 (2), $42,100 (3), $50,800 (4), +$8,700 each additional member.
Legal property owners of a property located within a current project area at the time of application; renters cannot apply ('the legal property owner must apply'); non-primary residences and manufactured or mobile homes can apply.
Households who were living or working in an area issued a presidential major disaster declaration with IA and were negatively impacted, meeting residency, purchase of food, adverse effect, and income and resources requirements.
Run by Employment Development Department (EDD), State of California
Who it is for
Workers and self-employed people who lose their job because of a disaster in an area the President of the United States declares, and who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
People who have suffered damage in a disaster area declared by the President when the federal Individuals and Household Program (IHP) is implemented, and who have applied to FEMA and maximized the IHP award.