Emergency money help when a family member is detained

This page is about money for the family left at home. It is not about bond money. It is general information, not legal or benefits advice.

We know this is a hard moment. You do not have to carry it alone. Call one place today.

What papers should I gather first?

Most funds ask for proof of what happened. Gather what you have:

• Proof of the detention or deportation. For example, a copy of an ICE release paper or removal order, or the detainee's name and A number from the ICE locator.
• Your ID and proof of where you live, like a lease or a bill.
• Your bills: rent, utilities, phone.
• Proof of lost income, like the detained person's last paystubs or bank statements.

Do not let missing papers stop you from calling. Ask what they will accept.

What help is there in San Mateo County?

The rapid response network, (203) 666-4472, open 24 hours. Faith in Action Bay Area runs this line for the county. Its page (checked October 21, 2026) says its mutual aid fund helps families of people who were detained with:

• Up to 4 months of rent
• Up to $1,500 for basic needs
• Help with legal defense and bond in some cases

The page does not say whether money is available right now or how to apply. Call, ask whether the fund has money now, and ask what you need to send.

County cash aid. The San Mateo County Human Services Agency offers CalWORKs (cash aid for families with children), General Assistance for adults, and CAPI for some immigrants. Call 1-800-223-8383 or (650) 594-5917, apply at an office, or apply online at BenefitsCal. Ask which programs each person in your home can get, including your children.

What help is there in Santa Clara County?

Standing Firm for Families (FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and Catholic Charities). Emergency funds for families who:

• Live in Santa Clara County
• Have a child from pregnancy through age 5
• Had an immigration related hardship after January 1, 2025
• Have an urgent need now, like rent, utilities or food

Families are referred through Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. A teacher, case manager, pastor or other helper can email standingstrong@ccscc.org with the subject "Standing Firm for Families," the family's name, the need, and their own contact information. FIRST 5's main line is (408) 260-3700. As of May 14, 2026, FIRST 5 said it had nearly $100,000 left to give. The page still said that on October 21, 2026, with no deadline listed. Call to confirm it is still open.

The rapid response network, (408) 290-1144, open 24 hours. Ask what family support they can connect you to.

Is there help anywhere in the U.S.?

ALMA Program, Mission Asset Fund (MAF). A national program for families facing an immigration emergency. If approved, MAF sends a virtual card for basic living costs. To qualify you must:

• Be 18 or older
• Have an immigration emergency, such as detention, deportation, loss of a work permit, or loss of income
• Send proof, such as a copy of an ICE release or removal order, an expired work permit, or paystubs or bank statements

You pre-apply first. MAF invites some families to a full application, based on eligibility and money available. MAF says it is still raising funds and may not be able to help every family right now. It does not publish a grant amount (checked October 21, 2026). Pre-apply for ALMA.

Can we get food and health care too?

Yes, many families can. See Food help for CalFresh, WIC and free school meals, and Medi-Cal for adults in 2026. For other cash help, see Where immigrant families can find emergency cash help.

Worried that using benefits will hurt an immigration case? Read Will using benefits like CalFresh hurt my immigration case? before you decide, and ask a legal clinic.

Can my children get cash aid if a parent is detained?

Often, yes, if the children are U.S. citizens or have a qualifying status. CalWORKs is California's cash aid for families with children. A parent who does not meet its immigration rules is not aided, but the children can still be. Santa Clara County's own CalWORKs handbook shows examples where undocumented parents are left out of the grant and their citizen children get aid. Parents' income is still counted.

What to do:

1. Apply at BenefitsCal or at your county office. In San Mateo County, call 1-800-223-8383 or (650) 594-5917.
2. Apply for the children who qualify. Ask the worker what each adult in the home needs to provide.
3. Ask the worker how the detained person counts in the household right now, and write down the answer.

Scheduled, not in effect yet. AB 1655, signed September 29, 2026 (Statutes 2026, chapter 742), says a family member held in immigration detention will be treated as "temporarily absent," so the family's CalWORKs grant is not cut for that absence, for as long as the detention lasts. A written sworn statement can be enough to show the detention. It takes effect July 1, 2027, or later if the state's computer system is not ready (bill text summary, CalMatters Digital Democracy). Until then, ask your worker and a benefits helper.

Worried about immigration effects? Read Will using benefits like CalFresh hurt my immigration case? and ask a legal clinic before you apply.

What about their last paycheck?

Pay already earned is still owed. In California, a worker who is fired must get all final wages, including earned vacation, right away. A worker who quits without notice must be paid within 72 hours (DLSE final pay FAQ). California's labor laws protect all workers, whatever their status, and the Labor Commissioner says a claim can be filed even after a person leaves the country.

• Call the employer. Ask for the final check and pay stubs, and where they will be sent.
• If the employer will not pay, see How to file a wage claim and Your final paycheck.
• Since January 1, 2026, under SB 294, a California employer must tell the emergency contact a worker named if the worker is arrested or detained at work, or during work hours elsewhere if the employer knows (DIR).

What if we cannot pay rent this month?

• Call the rapid response line first. In San Mateo County, rent help is part of the mutual aid fund listed above.
• Talk to your landlord early, in writing if you can. Ask for a short delay or a payment plan, and keep a copy.
• Your status is not your landlord's business. California law says landlords may not ask about immigration status (Civil Code 1940.3), and may not threaten to disclose it to pressure you to move (Civil Code 1940.2). See What if my landlord threatens to call immigration?
• If you get a notice or court papers, do not ignore them. See Renters' rights and call a free legal group.

Example: a week of calls

This example is made up to show the steps.

Rosa lives in East Palo Alto with her two children, ages 4 and 9, both U.S. citizens. Her husband was detained on a Monday. That night she called the San Mateo County rapid response line and asked about rent help. On Tuesday she applied for CalWORKs and CalFresh for the children on BenefitsCal. On Wednesday she called his employer for his final check. On Thursday she pre-applied for ALMA with a copy of his ICE paper. She wrote every call on the tracker below, and she called back the mutual aid line the next week to ask about her rent.

How do I avoid scams?

People sometimes target families in crisis. Be careful:

• Be very careful with anyone who asks for a fee to apply for help.
• Do not give your bank password or card PIN to anyone.
• Do not pay someone who promises to get your family member out fast. See Warning signs of an immigration scam.

Questions people ask

Will asking for help hurt my family's immigration case? Rules on this changed in 2026. Read Will using benefits like CalFresh hurt my immigration case? and ask a legal clinic.

Do I need papers to get help? Most funds ask for proof of the detention, not your own status. Ask before you send anything.

Can someone else apply for me? For Standing Firm for Families, a helper sends the referral. For other funds, ask whether a pastor, teacher or case manager can call with you.

Is this money a loan? The programs on this page describe grants or aid, not loans. Ask each one before you accept.

Is there a sheet I can print?

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• San Mateo County rapid response (Faith in Action Bay Area): (203) 666-4472, 24 hours. Office line (650) 592-9181.
• Santa Clara County rapid response: (408) 290-1144, 24 hours.
• San Mateo County Human Services Agency: 1-800-223-8383 or (650) 594-5917.
• FIRST 5 Santa Clara County: (408) 260-3700. Referrals for Standing Firm for Families go through standingstrong@ccscc.org.
• Mission Asset Fund ALMA Program: missionassetfund.org/alma-program
• 211: see 211: free help finding local services.

For the longer road ahead, see Make a family money plan and Helping your children cope.

You are not alone.