Are you unsure about what support is available to you in California during the COVID-19 pandemic? Use the simple tool below to learn more about different resources and how you can access them.
Nearly every Californian with children under the age of 18 is eligible to claim a child tax credit this year. Anyone earning $240,000 or less can receive payments beginning monthly in July, with most people receiving $3,000 or more per child.
If you haven't filed taxes for 2019 or 2020, you need to fill out an online form to claim your credit. The form is currently offline until tax season resumes early next year, but you can sign up now for a reminder when that begins.
Sign up for a reminder to claim your child tax credit payments at GetCTC.org.
Undocumented Californians are eligible to receive this money as well, as long as your child has a social security number.
Safe and reliable vaccinations to protect you from the COVID-19 virus are now available for all Californians age 12 and older. Testing is also freely available in many areas of the state, and Californians can request free at-home COVID tests in the mail.
Find a vaccine location near you or request an in-home vaccination appointment.
Find a free testing location near you.
Request free at-home tests by mail. You can call (800) 232-0233 if you have trouble with the online application.
If you have questions about the vaccine or testing, you can call the California COVID-19 Hotline at (833) 422-4255 from 8am-8pm on Mon-Fri or 8am-5pm on Sat-Sun.
Many low-income Californians qualify for CalFresh, California's food stamp program, which will provide you with funds every month to cover the cost of food. There are also food banks across the state where you can receive free food.
Apply online to receive CalFresh in just 10 minutes.
Find a food bank near you. Make sure to call ahead to check days and hours of operation and what services they offer.
Many low and middle income Californians now qualify for mortgage assistance through the most recent COVID-19 stimulus package and new California programs.
Low-income Californians are eligible for a free cell phone with a talk, text, and data plan through the Lifeline program, which was expanded in the recently-passed COVID-19 stimulus package. Phones now come with a hotspot feature, giving you access to high speed internet at home.
Visit AccessLifeline.org to easily check your eligibility to receive a Lifeline phone.
Multiple programs are now available to help Californians cover the costs of their at-home utilities. These include LIHEAP, which provides a one-time cash payment to pay for heating and cooling your home, and several new programs through utility providers that offer cost reductions or back payments for electricity and gas bills.
Check your eligibility to receive a cash payment from LIHEAP.
Select your electricity and gas provider to see what support programs they offer:
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (866) 743-2273.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (866) 675-6623.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (800) 411-7343, select your language, then press 2 for billing.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (800) 427-2200, press 2 for residential, then press 4 for financial assistance programs.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (209) 772-3006 and ask about financial assistance programs.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (800) 808-2837, select your language, press 5 to speak to Customer Service, and ask about financial assistance.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (888) 221-7070.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (800) 782-2506.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (877) 860-6020, select your language, then press 3 for financial assistance programs.
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To check your eligibility for these programs and apply, call (916) 364-4100 and ask to speak to someone regarding financial assistance programs.
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Undocumented Californians are unfortunately not eligible to receive unemployment assistance or federal COVID stimulus checks. However, they are eligible to receive the California COVID stimulus check, as well as vaccinations and assistance from food banks. They are also eligible to receive the child tax credit as long as the child has a social security number. You can use the guide to find out more about accessing these resources.
Yes, unhoused Californians can be eligible for all resources in this guide. Follow the instructions listed in the guide to learn how to access them.
California Poor People's Campaign volunteers are eager to check in and make sure you've been able to successfully access these resources. Share your email address or phone number, and someone will follow up with you.