There are numerous government benefits and freebies available to citizens and legal residents in every State, including those who live in California. Most of these programs have income requirements – they are based on financial need – but some programs are available to everyone.
California CalWORKs (TANF)
Program Description
CalWORKs is a financial assistance program that gives money and services to eligible families who live anywhere in the State of California. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing, medical services, etc., it may be eligible to receive immediate financial help from this program. Usually the money and services are only provided for a short-term basis, however some families that apply can qualify for ongoing assistance and can receive money every month.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit, you must be a resident of the State of California, be responsible for at least one child under 19 years of age (or be pregnant), you must be a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed, or about to become unemployed.
Program Contact Information
There are welfare offices located in each of the 58 California counties. Families may apply for CalWORKs at any welfare office located in the county where they live.
Click here to find the website for your county in California
California Healthy Families (SCHIP)
Program Description
Healthy Families is a California state benefit that provides very low cost medical insurance to California children and teens. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of California, under 19 years of age or be a primary care giver with a children under the age of 19 or be pregnant, not covered by health insurance (including Medicaid), a US national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, and you must have an annual household income before taxes of less than $23,276 if one person lives in the household; $31,226 if two people live in the household; $39,176 if three people live in the household; $47,126 if four people live in the household; $55,076 if five people live in the household; $63,026 if six people live in the household; $70,976 if seven people live in the household; $78,926 if eight people live in the household; $86,876 if nine people live in the household; $94,826 if 10 people live in the household; $102,776 if 11 people live in the household; $110,726 if 12 people live in the household; and $118,676 if more than 12 people live in the household.
Program Contact Information
Here you can learn more about the California Healthy Families program
