San Francisco

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Community Support Services

Local organizations and community centers offering cultural transition assistance, language support, and networking opportunities.

Sections

1. CalFresh (Food Assistance Program)

CalFresh, California's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase groceries.

Services Offered:

  • Monthly benefits loaded onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at grocery stores, farmers' markets, and some online retailers.
  • Nutrition education and resources.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a resident of California.
  • Meet income limits (e.g., for a household of 1, the gross monthly income limit is $2,266 as of 2023).
  • U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain qualified non-citizens (e.g., refugees, asylees).
  • Students, seniors, and disabled individuals may have additional eligibility considerations.

Costs:

  • Free to apply and receive benefits.

Application Procedure:

  1. Apply online at GetCalFresh.org, in person at the San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA), or by phone at (415) 558-4700.
  2. Submit required documents, such as proof of income, residency, and identification.
  3. Complete an interview (can be done over the phone).
  4. Receive a decision within 30 days.

Local Resources:

  • San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA): 170 Otis Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
  • SF-Marin Food Bank: Offers assistance with CalFresh applications and additional food resources.

2. Medi-Cal (Healthcare Assistance)

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program, providing free or low-cost health insurance to low-income individuals and families.

Services Offered:

  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, mental health services, prescription drugs, and dental care.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • California residents with low income (e.g., for a single adult, income must be below $20,121 annually as of 2023).
  • U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain qualified immigrants.
  • Pregnant women, children, seniors, and disabled individuals may have expanded eligibility.

Costs:

  • Free for most low-income individuals.
  • Some individuals may have small co-pays or share-of-costs based on income.

Application Procedure:

  1. Apply online at Covered California or through the San Francisco HSA.
  2. Submit proof of income, residency, and immigration status.
  3. Receive a decision within 45 days.

Local Resources:

  • San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH): Offers assistance with Medi-Cal applications and healthcare services.
  • HSA Medi-Cal Office: 1440 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

3. General Assistance (GA)

General Assistance is a temporary cash aid program for low-income adults without dependents who are ineligible for other state or federal assistance programs.

Services Offered:

  • Monthly cash benefits to cover basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a San Francisco resident.
  • Have no other means of support and meet income/resource limits.
  • U.S. citizens or certain qualified immigrants.

Costs:

  • Free to apply, but benefits are considered a loan and must be repaid if the recipient later has the means.

Application Procedure:

  1. Apply in person at the San Francisco HSA or online through MyBenefitsCalWIN.
  2. Provide proof of residency, income, and identification.
  3. Complete an interview and agree to a repayment plan.

Local Resources:

  • HSA General Assistance Office: 1235 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

4. Housing Assistance Programs

San Francisco offers several programs to assist with housing costs, including rental assistance, eviction prevention, and affordable housing opportunities.

Services Offered:

  • Rental Assistance: Short-term financial aid to prevent eviction.
  • Affordable Housing: Subsidized housing units for low-income residents.
  • Homelessness Prevention Programs: Support for individuals at risk of losing their homes.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Income limits vary by program (e.g., for affordable housing, income must typically be below 50-80% of the Area Median Income).
  • Must be a San Francisco resident.
  • U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain qualified immigrants.

Costs:

  • Free to apply for most programs; some affordable housing units may have reduced rent based on income.

Application Procedure:

  1. Apply for rental assistance through the San Francisco Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) or the HSA.
  2. For affordable housing, use the DAHLIA Housing Portal (housing.sfgov.org) to search and apply for units.
  3. Submit required documents, such as proof of income and residency.

Local Resources:

  • San Francisco Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC): 1338 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
  • DAHLIA Housing Portal: Online platform for affordable housing applications.

5. Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

Services Offered:

  • Weekly cash benefits based on previous earnings.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have earned sufficient wages during the base period.
  • Be unemployed through no fault of your own.
  • Be actively seeking work and available to work.

Costs:

  • Free to apply; benefits are funded by employer taxes.

Application Procedure:

  1. Apply online at the California Employment Development Department (EDD) website (edd.ca.gov).
  2. Provide proof of identity, employment history, and reason for unemployment.
  3. Certify for benefits every two weeks.

Local Resources:

  • EDD San Francisco Office: 801 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.

6. Immigrant-Specific Benefits

San Francisco is a sanctuary city and offers additional support for immigrants, regardless of immigration status.

Services Offered:

  • SF City ID Card: Provides identification for undocumented residents.
  • SF-Marin Food Bank: Food assistance for all residents, regardless of status.
  • Immigrant Assistance Programs: Legal aid, language access, and financial support.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Varies by program; many services are open to all residents, regardless of immigration status.

Costs:

  • Free or low-cost.

Application Procedure:

  • Contact the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) for guidance.

Local Resources:

  • OCEIA: 50 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Key Local Resources and Contacts

By leveraging these resources, residents and immigrants in San Francisco can access the support they need to thrive in the city. Let me know if you need further assistance with any specific program!