Los Angeles County Resources
Food Resources
Food Banks and Pantries
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (pantry locator)
We distribute food and other essentials to children, seniors, families and other individuals in need.
Free food giveaways at multiple County clinics and hospitals.
Food Assistance Programs
The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores.
Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC)
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Errand Running and Shopping Assistance
Dial 2-1-1
Food Delivery Services
At the core of the Meals on Wheels service is a nutritious meal, companionship and a watchful eye on the health and safety of our seniors. For those who have trouble getting around, we bring the service to you. For those who can still venture out into their communities, we serve in gathering places, such as senior centers and community facilities.
Nonprofit agency that cooks and delivers healthy, delicious meals and offers nutrition counseling—all free of charge—to people debilitated by serious illnesses.
Financial Resources
Temporary Income Replacement
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program pays benefits to workers who have lost their job and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you can file a UI claim. After you have filed a claim, you must continue to certify for benefits to receive benefit payments.
Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides benefit payments to people who need to take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member, bond with a new child, or participate in a qualifying event because of a family member’s military deployment.
Disability Insurance (DI) provides short-term wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers.
Cash Entitlements for Aged and Disabled
Social Security Disability Insurance
The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are “insured.” This means that you worked long enough – and recently enough - and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings.
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Social Security is part of the retirement plan for almost every American worker. It provides replacement income for qualified retirees and their families.
Needs-Based Cash Aid
CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses.
General Relief (GR) is a County-funded program that provides cash aid if you are an adult without any income or resources, and children in certain special circumstances who are ineligible for federal or State programs.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Health
Health Coverage
Medi-Cal is California’s version of the Federal Medicaid program. If you have limited income and resources, the Medi-Cal Program provides comprehensive health coverage to you and your family for free or low-cost.
Covered California is a free service that connects Californians with brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. When you apply, you may qualify for a discount on a health plan through Covered California, or get health insurance through the state’s Medi-Cal program.
Free Health or Low Cost Health Care
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Offers quality, patient-centered care through an integrated network of clinics and hospitals.
My Health LA is a no-cost health care program for low-income individuals who live in Los Angeles County. Participants must be between 26 and 49 years old and unable to get health insurance.
Housing
Eviction Prevention
Resources for renters, landlords, and homeowners.
Stay Housed L.A.is a partnership between Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles and local community and legal service providers. Together, we provide the residents of Los Angeles County, from Lancaster to Long Beach, with information and resources to keep people in their homes.
Shelters
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Resources for individuals and households experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless.
Mental Health
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Mental health services provided in multiple settings.
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 24/7 Help Line
The LACDMH Help Line serves as the primary entry point for mental health services with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Call 1-800-854-7771.
Crisis Support
Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free crisis support via text message. Text “LA” to 741741.
Teen Line's highly trained teen listeners provide support, resources and hope to any teen who is struggling. Call 1-800-852-8336 or text “TEEN” to 839863.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
Other Resources
Broadband Access
Affordable Connectivity Program
An FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Funeral Assistance
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
If you are covering the cost of a COVID-19 funeral, FEMA may be able to help. You may qualify for up to $9,000 per funeral for expenses.
Utilities
Offers a one-time grant to help customers pay their natural gas bills.
Long-term and short-term assistance with electricity bills.
Resources for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Caregiving
News, tools, resources, & research that matter to Californians 50+
Alzheimer’s Los Angeles’s mission is to improve the lives of families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia by increasing awareness, delivering effective programs and services, providing compassionate support, and advocating for quality care and a cure.
In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
The IHSS Program will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. To be eligible, you must be over 65 years of age, or disabled, or blind. Disabled children are also potentially eligible for IHSS.
USC Family Caregiver Support Center
We offer help to caring family and friends for all cultures and communities in LA county. Services are low or no-cost to family caregivers and friends who help someone over the age of 60.
Elder Abuse
Adult Protective Services (APS) provides a system of in person response to reports of abuse and self-neglect about developmentally disabled adults, physically and mentally disabled adults, and the elderly (65 yrs+) who may be victims of abuse.
Legal Assistance
1-323-939-0506
We are the nationally recognized leader in providing legal services to low-income seniors. We help improve the safety and quality of life for older or disabled adults and their families.
1-800-433-6251
Through a combination of individual representation, high impact litigation and public policy advocacy, NLSLA combats the immediate and long-lasting effects of poverty and expands access to health, opportunity, and justice in Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods.
Medicare Help and Advocacy
1-800-824-0780
The Center for Health Care Rights (CHCR) is a nonprofit health care advocacy organization dedicated to assuring consumer access to quality health care through education, counseling, informal advocacy, and legal services.
Nursing Home Rights
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
1-800-474-1116
CANHR’s goal is to educate and support long term care consumers and advocates regarding the rights and remedies under the law, and to create a united voice for long term care reform and humane alternatives to institutionalization.
1-800-334-9473
The goal of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of individual residents in long-term care facilities.
Get Help
If you have questions and would like to speak to someone, or need help finding medical care, call the Los Angeles County Information line 2-1-1, which is available 24/7.
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