How to Apply for Assistance in Sacramento

The rapidly increasing cost of living makes it difficult for many people in Sacramento to pay their bills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index Summary from October 13th, 2022, prices have increased an average 8.2% across all urban cities in the United States (as compared to 2021 data):

The price of groceries is up 11.2%; gasoline, 18.2%; shelter, 6.6%; transportation, 14.6%, and medical care, 6.5%.

The living wage for individuals with no children in Sacramento is $19.48 yet the minimum wage is currently $15.00. This means anyone earning a minimum wage salary – or even slightly above – cannot afford to live comfortably.

Earning less than you need to pay your bills and put money into savings would put anyone in a difficult situation. Not only is it stressful, but it often means dire consequences, such as eviction, hunger, and lack of medical attention, are right around the corner. As such, hundreds of thousands of people throughout California and the entire country work two full-time positions to make ends meet.

No one should have to struggle to feed themselves and their family, receive adequate medical care, or live in a safe home. California has a variety of human assistance programs designed to help individuals and people with children afford necessities. Additionally, non-profit organizations, like Packs for Cold Backs, offer free services to those in need.

Human Assistance Programs in Sacramento

Below you’ll find a list of benefits from the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance and how you can go about applying for them.

General Assistance

The Sacramento County General Assistance loan program provides short-term assistance to adults who are unemployed, verified unemployable, or work fewer than 100 hours per month with no other financial support. This program is designed to help individuals while they seek employment or another support system. Applicants are required to sign a Repayment Agreement and Lien on Real Property to reimburse Sacramento County at the end of the assistance period.

If you are interested in applying, you may contact the Sacramento County Department of

Human Assistance (DHA) at

1725 28th Street

Sacramento, CA 95816

(916) 874-2072

CalWORKS

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program is designed to encourage families to become self-sufficient, provide financial support for children, keep families living under one roof, and find quality care for children who cannot remain at home with their parents. These benefits are reserved for children with at least one parents who is deceased, incapacitated, absent, or working fewer than 100 hours per week.

You can apply for CalWORKS benefits online at www.mybenefitscalwin.org, in person at one of the bureau locations listed here, or call the CalWORKD Service Center at (916) 874-3100 or (209) 744-0499, Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

2-1-1 Sacramento

Like 9-1-1 for emergency services, 2-1-1 Sacramento has been set aside by the Federal Communications Commission for the public to more easily access community information. There are more than 1,600 programs and services in the Sacramento 2-1-1 database, making it a one-stop source of information for anyone looking for community-based resources, such as food, shelter, counseling, and employment assistance. 2-1-1 also provides application assistance for CalFresh benefits over the phone.

2-1-1 calls are answered and kept confidential by an Information and Referral Specialist. Specialists are trained in navigating the complex maze of human service agencies and programs.

Non-English speaking callers are assisted by a bilingual specialist or seamlessly through a telephone interpreting service with access to interpreters in more than 200 languages and dialects.

CalFresh

CalFresh is part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It provides monthly assistance, so low or no income individuals and families can purchase nutritious food. Every month, SNAP loads funds onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used at participating grocery stores and farmers markets.

You can apply online at www.mybenefitscalwin.org or www.GetCalFresh.org, by mail at P.O. Box 487 Sacramento, CA 95812, by phone at (916) 874-3100 or (209) 744-0499, or in person at one of the locations listed here.

Packs for Cold Backs

Packs for Cold Backs is a non-profit organization in Sacramento that connects individuals and families to essential services. For example, our case workers bring people to important appointments, like court cases, the DMV, the doctor, and SSI, so they can take the steps necessary for getting back on track. We help you navigate the often complicated system and support you on your journey to success.

Contact Packs for Cold Backs today for a fresh start.