California is a state that provides a wide range of services to its citizens. From cash programs for low-income individuals and families, to food and nutrition programs, to services for children, California has a variety of programs in place to help those in need. In this article, we'll explore the different types of services California offers, including cash assistance, medical and dietary assistance, employment programs, and more.
Cash Programs for Low-Income Individuals and Families
Since 1933, California has mandated that counties provide aid to the poor, including health care services and general assistance.The county's indigent medical programs can be divided into two categories: County Medical Services Program (CMSP) and Indigent Medical Services Program (MISP) counties. Additionally, the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal) is California's Medicaid program that provides low-income families, the elderly, people with disabilities, children in foster care, pregnant women, and adults without children with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level access to health care.
Food & Nutrition Programs
Programs are available to connect families to medical, dental, and mental health services to ensure that children get the services they need. CalFresh is the California implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program. This program provides financial assistance to buy food for people living in poverty in California.Services for Children
The Healthy Families Program (HFP) was the California implementation of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).This program provided low-cost insurance that provided health, dental, and eye coverage to children who were uninsured and didn't qualify for Medi-Cal at no cost.
Social Services Agency
The Social Services Agency of the Department of Welfare manages programs that provide cash, medical and dietary assistance; evaluation and protection for children and adults; in-home support services for adults; in-center and home delivery meals for the elderly; and employment programs that provide education, training, and job placement on behalf of the federal, state and local government.California Work Opportunities & Responsibility with Children (CalWORKs)
The California Work Opportunities and Responsibility with Children (CalWORKs) program is the California implementation of the federal temporary social assistance program for families in need (TANF). This program provides cash aid and services to eligible California families in need.Employment Programs
People looking for work in California can find suitable jobs on the Internet in the California Job Search System (CalJobSSM) or the United States Job Exchange (AJB). Additionally, a number of measures are calculated to measure poverty levels in California such as the Census Bureau's Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) and the California Poverty Measure (CPM) from the California Public Policy Institute.Medical Benefits
Benefits include doctor's office visits, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders, dental care (Denti-Cal), vision care, and long-term care and support.If necessary, Employment Service staff from EDD field offices will assist you in using Internet systems and can provide other job search services.
