I need food or cannot pay rent
Help today, your rights as a renter and emergency cash.
5 steps
Step 1 of 5: Get help today
211 connects you to food, rent help and shelter near you.
- 211 HelpNeed food, rent help, a place to stay or a doctor? Dial 211. It is free, it is open day and night, and a real person will help you find services near you. You do not have to figure this out alone.Guide
- Food HelpYour children can get food help, even if you do not have papers. Here is what your family may get from CalFresh, WIC, school meals and food banks, how to apply, and what the new federal public charge rule may mean before you sign up.Guide
- What to ask 211Print it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 2 of 5: Look for emergency cash
Some help is open to every family.
- Emergency cash help for immigrant familiesRent is due, a paycheck did not come, or someone lost a job, and most government aid is closed to you because of your status. There is still help. Some of it comes from your county, some from nonprofits, and some from tax credits you may already qualify for. Here is where to look first, what to bring, and how to stay safe from scams.Guide
- Emergency cash help call sheetPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 3 of 5: Know your rights as a renter
Your rights do not depend on your papers.
- Housing and Tenant Rights Complete GuideIn California, your rights as a renter do not depend on your papers. Your landlord cannot ask about your status, cannot threaten to call immigration, and cannot put you out without going to court. This guide covers rent increases, evictions, deposits, repairs, help paying rent and what to do if a landlord uses fear against you. Read it top to bottom, or jump to what is happening to you today.Complete guide
- My home record (keep at home, take to legal help)Print it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 4 of 5: If you worry about using benefits
For most families, it does not hurt an immigration case. Check yours.
- Public ChargeFor most immigrant families, using Medi-Cal or CalFresh will not hurt you. The test that looks at benefits, called public charge, applies mainly to people applying for a green card. If that is you, the rules got tougher on September 18, 2026. Here is who it affects, what counts, and what to do before you sign up or cancel anything.Guide
- Public charge questions for a legal helperPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 5 of 5: Get help from a person
You do not have to do this alone. Ask about cost, languages and current openings before you share documents.
- Help lines: Food, bills and local servicesCall, text or chat with a service that answers now.Help now
- 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.Organization
- 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.Organization
This page puts DNLH guides in a useful order. It is general information, not legal advice. Each guide shows its sources and the date its facts were checked.