No cost California Help Guides: Shelter, Food, Housing and More

Hi friend. These guides walk you through finding shelter, food, housing help and more in California, in plain words. Pick the one you need, or start with Guide 1. Every guide has a Download the PDF button too.

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1Start Here: No cost California Help GuideNew to finding help in California? Start here. How 211 works, what to do first, and where to find shelter, food, housing, health care and ID help, in plain words.
2Emergency Shelter Tonight in California: No cost GuideNeed a safe place to sleep tonight in California? How shelters work, what to say when you call 211, what to bring, and local numbers for 10 large counties.
3Housing Help in California: Rent, Deposits and VouchersNo cost California guide to rent help, Section 8 vouchers, Coordinated Entry, security deposits, rent notices and housing counseling.
4No cost Food Help in California: SNAP, WIC and Food BanksHow to find food today in California, apply for CalFresh, sign up for WIC, and reach your county food bank.
5No cost Clothing, Showers and Hygiene Help in CaliforniaWhere to find no cost clothes, showers, laundry and hygiene items in California, how to ask for them, and tips to stay fresh on a tight budget.
6No cost Job Help in California: Job Centers, Training and UnemploymentHow to find no cost job help in California: America's Job Center of California, CalJOBS, unemployment through EDD, the Department of Rehabilitation and training.
7No cost and Low Cost Health Care in California: Clinics, Medi Cal and 988How to find low cost clinics in California, apply for Medi Cal, get mental health and substance use help, and call or text 988 in a crisis.
8Domestic Violence Help in California: Hotlines, Shelter and SafetyNo cost, private help in California if someone is hurting you: national and local hotlines, shelters, safety planning, restraining orders and housing options.
9Help for Veterans in California: VA Care, Housing and BenefitsNo cost help for California veterans: VA health care, homeless veteran programs, CalVet, county veteran service offices and crisis support.
10Help for Youth and Young Adults in California: Shelter, School and JobsNo cost help in California for young people up to age 24: youth shelters and hotlines, help after foster care, school, jobs and Job Corps.
11How to Replace Your ID in California: License, Birth Certificate and SSNStep by step help to get your California ID card, birth certificate and Social Security card back, with fees, waivers and where to go in your county.
12No cost and Low Cost Phones and Internet in California: Lifeline and MoreHow to get a low cost phone or internet in California: Lifeline, low cost internet plans, no cost WiFi at libraries, and tips to stay reachable.
13No cost Legal and Tenant Help in California: Legal Aid and Eviction BasicsFind no cost legal aid in California, learn what to do about eviction notices and security deposits, and reach legal help in your county.
14How to Make Blessing Bags in California: What to Pack and How to GiveA simple, kind guide to making blessing bags for neighbors in California: what to pack for the weather, what to skip, and local groups that welcome donations.

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Moving into a new place? These Bunklow checklists help with moving in, rent and money. Sold on Payhip. The help on this page stays the same.

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall. Bunklow does not run these programs. Last updated October 16, 2026.