The CalFresh program provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households with purchasing food and is one of the most critical poverty-fighting programs in communities. Known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, it is open to eligible legal noncitizens between the ages of 18 and 65. In California, nearly 2.5 million households receive CalFresh assistance to supplement their budgets.

The In-Home Supportive Services program, IHSS, assists low-income older adults and people with disabilities with in-home care in order to help them remain safely and independently in their homes. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities. IHSS services may includes domestic services such as housework, meal preparation and laundry, personal care services and accompaniment to medical appointments. More than 467,000 individuals use the IHSS program to remain safely in their homes.

County human service agencies administer the Medi-Cal program on behalf of the state, offering free or low-cost health coverage for California residents, including low-income children, pregnant women, families and low-income adults who meet eligibility requirements. The Medi-Cal program is California’s version of the federal Medicaid program. Nearly one in three Californians receive Medi-Cal health care coverage.