Public Assistance Programs
Food Assistance
CalFresh
CalFresh is California’s food assistance program, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called food stamps. The program provides monthly grocery benefits through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to help eligible low-income individuals and families purchase food.
Eligibility is primarily based on household income and other program requirements. Eligible participants may include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and certain qualified noncitizens, as well as some college students, SSI recipients, and individuals or families receiving other public benefits such as CalWORKs.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals to eligible families.
WIC serves infants and children up to age 5, as well as individuals who are pregnant, recently gave birth, are breastfeeding, or have experienced pregnancy loss. Partners, grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers of young children may also apply on behalf of eligible children. Working families may qualify as well.
Eligibility is based on factors such as income and nutritional risk, which is determined by a health professional.
To apply: Find a WIC office near you or call 1-800-852-5770.
Click here for more information or find a WIC office near you
Meals & Dining for Older Adults
There are two programs:
Meals & Dining Centers
The County’s Aging & Independence Services (AIS), with funding from the Older Americans Act, works with local nutrition providers to offer hot, nutritious meals to adults age 60 and older. Lunch is available Monday through Friday at participating dining centers, with breakfast available at select locations.
Click here for more information or the list of Meals & Dining Center near you.
Home-Delivered Meals
Adults age 60 and older who are homebound due to illness or disability may qualify to have meals delivered to their homes. Eligible participants receive a hot meal each weekday, with frozen meals provided for weekends.
To apply: Contact your nearest home-delivered meal provider or call the AIS Call Center at 1-800-339-4661. You may also call 2-1-1 or visit 211SanDiego.org for additional assistance.
Click here for more information or the list of Home-Delivered Meal Providers near you.
SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a permanent food assistance program that helps families with school-aged children purchase food during the summer months.
Each eligible child receives $120 in SUN Bucks on an EBT card. Benefits can be used to purchase groceries at most grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers, including participating online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.
SUN Bucks cannot be used to purchase hot foods, pet food, household or cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, or medicine.
Families can receive SUN Bucks while also participating in other food assistance programs, including CalFresh, WIC, and summer meal programs.
SUN Bucks must be used within 122 days after the benefits are loaded onto the card. Any unused benefits will expire and cannot be replaced.
How to Apply
Children who are streamline certified do not need to apply and will automatically receive their SUN Bucks card in the mail.
For children who are not automatically eligible, families must apply by submitting a Universal Benefits Application (UBA) or School Meal Application through their child’s school.
For SUN Bucks 2026, applications must be submitted by August 31, 2026.
Food Distributions
San Diego County has an extensive network of food distributions run by major organizations like San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego, offering free fresh produce, stable groceries, and emergency food packages with no ID or income verification required at most neighborhood sites. To find out a food distribution site near you, please visit click below:
Cash Assistance
CalWORKs
The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program provides temporary cash assistance, employment support, and other services to eligible families with minor children who have little or no income. CalWORKs is California’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
General Assistance or General Relief
General Relief (GR) or General Assistance (GA) is a county-funded cash aid program providing temporary financial support for indigent adult residents (typically ages 18–64 without dependent children) who do not qualify for other federal or state assistance. Aid is typically structured as a short-term loan requiring repayment.
Click here for more information or to apply for General Relief
SSI/SSP
The SSI Program is a federally funded program which provides monthly cash assistance to eligible individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind or disabled. SSI benefits are also available to qualified blind or disabled minors. The SSP Program is the state program which augments SSI. Both SSI and SSP benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for both programs is determined by SSA using federal criteria. If an eligible individual qualifies for SSI, they qualify for SSP.
To apply for SSI/SSP, please visit your local Social Security office (find the nearest SSA office), apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Click here for more information or to apply for SSI/SSP online
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
CAPI is a 100 percent state-funded program designed to provide monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status.
To apply, you can fill out and deliver a completed application to your local county social services office in person, by mail, fax, or email or call your local county social services office.
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a cash assistance program for refugees who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid. RCA also includes employment and other social services to assist a refugee in becoming self-sufficient.
Apply online at BenefitsCal. To apply in person or to find out more about RCA benefits in your county, please contact your County Social Services Agency.
Click here for more information or a list of Social Services Agency near you
Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)
The Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) provides cash assistance, food benefits, and employment and social services toeligible non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes services. The TCVAP is a state-funded program and is administered by the Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB). RPB provides services to counties and stakeholders throughout California to administer the TCVAP.
To apply for TCVAP benefits, sign up at your local county social services office or apply online at BenefitsCal.
Click here for more information or a list of Social Services Offices near you
Health Coverage & Medical Assistance
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is California’s public health insurance program for people with low income. It is California’s version of the federal Medicaid program and provides free or low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage to eligible children, families, older adults, people with disabilities, and other low-income individuals.
You can apply for Medi-Cal:
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Online through BenefitsCal or Covered California
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By mail through your local county office
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By phone through your local county office
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In person at a nearby county office
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Click here for more information or find out a county office near you
Medicare
Medicare is a U.S. government health insurance program for people age 65 or older. It also covers some younger people with long-term disabilities or specific health conditions like kidney failure. It helps pay for medical care, but it does not cover every cost or long-term nursing care.
You can apply for Medicare:
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Online through Social Security Administration
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By phone by call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday.
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In person by visit local Social Security Office (calling ahead for an appointment is recommended)
Click here for more information or to find an office near you
Covered California
Covered California is California's official health insurance marketplace created under the federal Affordable Care Act. It is a free state service where residents can compare and buy private health plans, check eligibility for Medi-Cal, and access financial help to lower monthly costs.
You can apply for Covered California
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Online through Covered California website
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Apply with a Certified Enroller
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Apply via phone by call 1-800-300-1506
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By mail
Click here for more information, find a Certified Enroller, or to print out a application
Family PACT
The Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) Program is a California public health program that provides free family planning and reproductive health services to eligible low-income Californians through participating healthcare providers.
You may qualify if you live in California, meet the program’s income requirements, and do not have health insurance or your insurance does not adequately cover family planning services. This may include individuals with a high insurance deductible. Immigration status does not affect eligibility.
Click here for more information or apply for Family Pact Program
California Children’s Services (CCS)
California Children’s Services (CCS) is a statewide case management program for certain diseases or health problems that are chronic, disabling, or life threatening. CCS provides authorizations for diagnostic and treatment services, equipment, medical case management, and physical and occupational therapy services to children under age 21 with medical conditions such as Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis, Spina Bifida, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease or Cerebral Palsy.
Click here for more information or to apply for CCS
County Medical Services (CMS)
CMS is a program of last resort for eligible adults that covers only necessary medical services such as immediate or long-term medical need. CMS is not health insurance, but it uses a network of Community Health Centers, private physicians and local hospitals to provide medical services.
Click here for more information or to apply for CMS
Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP)
The Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) is a California state health insurance program providing no-cost, comprehensive maternity and postpartum coverage for middle-income pregnant individuals whose household income exceeds the limit for no-cost Medi-Cal. There are no monthly premiums, copayments, or deductibles
Click here for more information or to apply for MCAP
Older Adults & People with Disabilities
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration that pays monthly money to people who cannot work because of a severe, long-term physical or mental medical condition. It is funded by payroll taxes paid by workers. Your medical condition must completely stop you from doing substantial work, and it must have lasted—or is expected to last—at least one year or lead to death. The program does not pay for short-term or partial disabilities.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a California program funded by Medi-Cal and public funds that helps pay for in-home care. It allows qualified low-income seniors, blind individuals, and people with disabilities to safely stay in their own homes instead of moving to a nursing facility.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources.
To apply for SSI, please visit your local Social Security office (find the nearest SSA office), apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Click here for more information or to apply for SSI
California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE)
The CalABLE program empowers Californians with disabilities to save money for qualified expenses like education, housing, and healthcare without risking their eligibility for critical public benefits such as SSI and Medi-Cal.
Click here for more information or open an CalABLE Account
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP)
The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) is a public program that provide access to basic telephone service for Californians who have difficulty using the telephone. The program has two components: the California Relay Service (CRS), which includes Speech to Speech, and the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) which provides assistive telecommunications equipment.
Click here for more information or apply for DDTP
California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is here to assist you. We work with people who have disabilities to secure employment, develop or promote in their current job, and live independently in their community of choice.
Click here for more information
Employment & Unemployment
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits are temporary cash payments given to workers who lose their jobs or have their work hours cut through no fault of their own. These programs help pay for basic needs while people look for new work. In the United States, the system is run by individual states under federal guidelines and is paid for by employer taxes.
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
The California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need time off work. Disability Insurance (DI): Pays partial income for up to 52 weeks if a non-job injury, illness, or pregnancy stops you from working. Paid Family Leave (PFL): Offers short-term benefits (typically up to 8 weeks) to bond with a new child or care for a sick family member.
Employment
Become an IHSS Providers
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) are provided by independent providers/caregivers. The IHSS recipient is considered the employer of his/her caregiver and is responsible for hiring, supervising and, if necessary, dismissing the provider.
The IHSS providers assist eligible individuals with homemaking and personal care such as:
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Bathing and grooming
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Dressing
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Housecleaning
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Shopping
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Laundry
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Meal preparation and cleanup
Click here for more information or apply to become a provider
America’s Job Center of California (AJCC)
America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) offers free services to connect employers who have job openings with qualified job seekers.
Click here for more information or to find a list of American Job Centers near you