Dear Constituent,

California, the federal government, and local governments and organizations have a number of programs and services to help people who may be short on money due to the pandemic. We have put together a list of services below, along with links that provide information on who qualifies and how to apply. I hope you find this helpful and that you share it with others who might also need this information.

Food Assistance

• CalFresh – Food benefits for people who have low-incomes. Find out if you are eligible here.
• Pandemic EBT - Food benefits for low-income families with children.
• WIC - Food benefits for children under 5 years old and for pregnant people, lactating parents, and foster parents with children less than 6 weeks old.
• Universal School Meals – All TK & PreK-12 students attending a California public school now have access to at least two free meals a day at their school.

Food Banks and Pantries

• Alameda County Community Food Bank – Call 510-635-3663 to learn about the many food bank services to connect you with food help.
• The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties – Learn about food help in these two counties.
• Berkeley Food Pantry – Call 510-332-3978 for a list of grocery pantry information in Berkeley.
• Food Distribution Oakland – Call 2-1-1 for a list of grocery pantries or soup kitchens in Oakland.
• Food Help for College Students – Students are eligible for CalFresh food benefits, but the rules are special for them. This website link will help college students learn if they are eligible and how to apply. Most, if not all, of the colleges in my district also have a food pantry on campus. Here are a few: UC Berkeley Basic Need Center, CSU Food Pantry, Laney College Free and Low-Cost Services and Mills College Food Pantry.

Support for Families with Children

• CalWORKs - Cash aid for low income people with dependent minors.
• Monthly Payments for Families with Children  - The federal government is giving most families with at least one child a monthly payment. You do not need to file taxes to get this payment, even though it's called a "Child Tax Credit." If you did not file taxes, have at least one qualifying child, and earned less than $24,800 as a married couple, or $12,400 as a single parent, you can sign up here to get this monthly payment.
• Childcare Assistance – Free child care provider referrals in your area with connections to child care fee waivers and subsidies to help pay for all or some of the costs for child care in a location of the parent's choice while the parent is working, in job training, going to college or seeking employment.
• Afterschool Programs – Care for children before or after school for free or minimal costs. These programs are usually on or near the school campus.  

Health Care

• Medi-Cal or Covered California – These programs offer free or low-cost health insurance to people with incomes and assets that qualify.
• Community Clinics – you can receive free or low-cost health services at a community clinic.
  • Alameda County Community Clinics
  • Contra Costa County Community Clinics
• Test the People offers free COVID-19 tests throughout the Bay Area.

Additional Resources

• MyBenefits CalWIN – This service helps you apply for all the cash, food and Medi-Cal help you may be eligible for all at once through your county human services agency.
• General Assistance – Provides a small cash grant to very low-income adults without children.
• California EITC tax credits – You can get free help filing taxes every year. If you are very low-income, and you file your taxes, you can get a tax credit, or refund. This means that, instead of paying taxes, you get money back. The amount of these refunds can be many thousands of dollars.
• Clipper START – Discounted BART, MUNI and AC Transit passes for low-income riders.

Assistance with Unpaid Rent and Utilities

California's rental assistance program still has plenty of funds available for renters who have been unable to pay their rent or utility bills due to the pandemic. Renters who apply for rental assistance are eligible for up to 100% of what they owe in past and future rent and utility bills. Renters who apply are also eligible for some protections against future eviction for nonpayment until March 31, 2022. Here is how to apply:

• Contra Costa County renters and landlords should apply through the state's rental assistance program, Housing Is Key.
• Alameda County renters and landlords (but not in the city of Oakland) should apply through the county's program, AC Housing Secure.
• City of Oakland Renters and landlords should apply through Keep People Housed.

I hope you find this information helpful. It is an honor serving you in the state Senate.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
State Senator, District 9