What other state/federal benefits might be available?
August 7, 2024 7:21 PM Subscribe
Asking for my friend who just got laid off very suddenly: We know about unemployment, SNAP and Covered California. What other benefits are available for the laid off/poor? She's in Los Angeles.
She was a full-time student who worked, but then she got laid off. So her income is zero. She has another year or so of school, so it's unlikely she'll be able to get any kind of job that'll provide a generous salary. She's unmarried and lives alone, so there's no other income coming in.
Are there any other state/federal benefits she could get, or programs she might be entitled to participate in?
She was a full-time student who worked, but then she got laid off. So her income is zero. She has another year or so of school, so it's unlikely she'll be able to get any kind of job that'll provide a generous salary. She's unmarried and lives alone, so there's no other income coming in.
Are there any other state/federal benefits she could get, or programs she might be entitled to participate in?
I think ATT may have a program for reduced cost internet service - your friend should check with her current supplier to see what options they might offer and what it takes to qualify.
posted by metahawk at 7:47 PM on August 7
posted by metahawk at 7:47 PM on August 7
Pg&e has a means tested discount program and 'Obama phones' are free and can be had in front of many public hospitals and social service offices. Medi-cal is actually good and gives you access to free medical transportation as well as some other benefits depending on her local Medi-cal managed care plan.
posted by latkes at 7:50 PM on August 7
posted by latkes at 7:50 PM on August 7
Best answer: Here are some LA-specific sign up pages for discounts. Often, a SNAP/EBT card is sufficient to document eligibility.
LA Metro LIFE: 20 free rides a month, discounts for other transit systems. Page has signup link.
LA DWP LIHEAP and EZ-Save water and power discount/assistance programs.
posted by zippy at 8:23 PM on August 7
LA Metro LIFE: 20 free rides a month, discounts for other transit systems. Page has signup link.
LA DWP LIHEAP and EZ-Save water and power discount/assistance programs.
posted by zippy at 8:23 PM on August 7
As a student, she may now be eligible for additional financial aid. Also, some universities offer emergency funding/loans to students, which might help in the immediate.
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:26 AM on August 8 [4 favorites]
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:26 AM on August 8 [4 favorites]
Yes, she should definitely head to her university's financial aid office to explain that her finances have changed and she needs help.
posted by mareli at 6:54 AM on August 8 [3 favorites]
posted by mareli at 6:54 AM on August 8 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Welcome to the BenefitsCal Student Center [Here you can apply for food, cash, and health coverage benefits as a student]
"Lives alone"; "no other income": CalWORKs can also provide assistance for people at risk of homelessness, with payments for temporary shelter for up to 16 days, as well as payments to secure or maintain housing, including a security deposit and last month’s rent, or up to two months of rent arrearages.
Los Angeles: If you’re at risk of being evicted, there’s help available for you.
2024 California Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities
The California LifeLine Program provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households; Discounted Electric & Discounted Gas Utilities; California's Low-Cost Auto Insurance program.
YMCA memberships are discounted or waived for applicants facing financial hardships.
EDD additional resources.
"Dial 2-1-1" or visit 211la.org to keyword search.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:54 PM on August 8 [1 favorite]
"Lives alone"; "no other income": CalWORKs can also provide assistance for people at risk of homelessness, with payments for temporary shelter for up to 16 days, as well as payments to secure or maintain housing, including a security deposit and last month’s rent, or up to two months of rent arrearages.
Los Angeles: If you’re at risk of being evicted, there’s help available for you.
2024 California Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities
The California LifeLine Program provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households; Discounted Electric & Discounted Gas Utilities; California's Low-Cost Auto Insurance program.
YMCA memberships are discounted or waived for applicants facing financial hardships.
EDD additional resources.
"Dial 2-1-1" or visit 211la.org to keyword search.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:54 PM on August 8 [1 favorite]
In terms of managing expectations… one generally can’t get financial aid that exceeds the school’s stated cost of attendance. By living alone as a house hold of one it is likely that your friend’s housing expenses will exceed the school’s estimated housing cost.
I think your friend should seek out future employers that provide tuition assistance (e.g. UPS).
posted by oceano at 1:56 PM on August 8
I think your friend should seek out future employers that provide tuition assistance (e.g. UPS).
posted by oceano at 1:56 PM on August 8
This works pretty much anywhere in the USA: Google the name of your county and the words “resource list”. So “Los Angeles county resource list” pulls up an official list from the county, but if you scroll down, there are also other lists with useful resources too. You might need to add the name of the state if there are other counties in the country with the same name.
Search result
posted by MexicanYenta at 3:50 AM on August 10
Search result
posted by MexicanYenta at 3:50 AM on August 10
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Discounts on public transit.
Discounts on some road tolls. In Northern California there's a Caltrans pilot program that lowers HOV lane tolls on 880 for low income drivers (SNAP/EBT qualifies you). They're considering expanding the program to other roads.
posted by zippy at 7:30 PM on August 7 [1 favorite]