What is going on?
All situationsPick the one closest to yours. Each one walks you through the guides, checklists and places to call, in order.
- I need food or cannot pay rentHelp today, your rights as a renter and emergency cash.5 steps
- I am worried that using benefits will hurt my caseWhat public charge means and which help is safe to use.4 steps
- I need health careMedi-Cal changes, clinics and low-cost care.3 steps
- A fire, flood or earthquake hit my homeDisaster help, replacing papers, work and recovery.5 steps
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Get help with
All help topics A to Z- Food and groceriesLook for nearby food resources and food-assistance program information.
- Housing, rent and evictionFind housing assistance and qualified help with housing-related legal questions.
- Healthcare and prescriptionsFind a health center and ask about the care or medication support you need.
- Childcare and early learningLook for care, early learning and help with childcare costs.
- Utilities, phone and internetFind starting points for bill assistance, disconnections and digital access.
- Transportation and getting to servicesFind local-service directories and ask about transportation options near you.
Everything in Everyday needs
Checklists to print23 guides and quick answers. Open a topic to see its titles.
Read everything on one page
- Overview: Everyday needsMoney is tight and you don't know where to turn? You are not alone. There is help with food, health care and more, often whatever your immigration status. In the Bay Area, start with one call to 211.
- Benefits and Public Charge Complete GuideComplete guide
- Health Care Complete GuideComplete guide
- Housing and Tenant Rights Complete GuideComplete guide
By topic
Food, housing and healthDaily needs and benefits.10
Benefits and public chargeWhich benefits are safe to use.3
Civic life and local protectionsLaws, voting, public comment and records.10
Help lines
All help lines- 211For anyone who needs help finding local food, housing, utility, health, or other services.Help line
- USDA National Hunger HotlineFor anyone who needs help finding food assistance near them.Help line
- LIHEAP National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) HotlineFor households that need help paying heating or cooling bills and want to find their local energy assistance program.Help line
- Eldercare LocatorFor older adults and their families looking for local services.Help line
Checklists to print
All 26 checklists- Family benefits worksheetFrom Benefits and Public Charge Complete GuideChecklist
- My home record (keep at home, take to legal help)From Housing and Tenant Rights Complete GuideChecklist
- Our family health planFrom Health Care Complete GuideChecklist
- Public charge questions for a legal helperFrom Benefits and Public Charge Complete GuideChecklist
Organizations and resources
All resources in this area- 211 CaliforniaFree, confidential referrals to local help with food, housing, bills and more. Dial 211, or call 866-346-3211 and enter your ZIP code to reach your local 211. A few rural counties have no active 211 service.Food, housing & daily needs
- California services and assistanceFind state starting points for food, shelter, health coverage and community services.Official starting point
- USAGov benefitsExplore government information about food, housing, health coverage and financial assistance.Official starting point
- USAGov food assistanceFederal guide to SNAP, WIC, school meals and emergency food. For food today, the National Hunger Hotline is 1-866-348-6479 or 1-877-842-6273, weekdays 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific.Official starting point
- USAGov housing helpFederal guide to rent help, eviction, emergency housing and landlord complaints, with links to the agencies and local programs that run them. It does not provide housing help itself.Official starting point