CalWORKs & Employment Services acts as a part of Human Services, one of six Divisions of County of Placer Health & Human Services.

If you are an adult with dependent children, you may be eligible for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, or CalWORKs. CalWORKs provides:

• Child care, work expense assistance, transportation, and counseling
• Education, employment and training programs through Employment Services
• Families with children financial assistance to meet their basic needs
• Support for families moving toward self-sufficiency

If you are eligible for CalWORKs you will automatically qualify for Medi-Cal and may also qualify for CalFresh. Unless you are exempt, you will be referred to the Employment Services program for assistance gaining employment. Placer County Employment Services (formerly Welfare to Work) can assist you in finding work through the Business Advantage Network. You can receive daily job leads and information on job fairs and recruiting eve…

General Relief in Placer County provides temporary cash aid for those who are not eligible for federal or state programs or other assistance programs. All General Relief applicants must apply in person and be interviewed by an Eligibility Specialist to complete the application process.

Apply for / Access your Public Benefits Online (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, Disaster CalFresh, General Relief)
Go to BenefitsCal.com to apply for or renew benefits, upload verification, and view information regarding health coverage, food, and cash assistance. BenefitsCal also makes it easy for community partners to create accounts and act as application assistors.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.ca.gov/2150/General-Relief-General-Assistance
• BenefitsCal - http://www.benefitscal.com/

Medi-Cal assistance is available through Human Services, one of six Divisions of County of Placer Health & Human Services.

Medi-Cal offers medical, dental, vision and mental health care to eligible individuals and families at little or no cost. If you are ineligible to Medi-Cal, affordable insurance plans are available through the health benefits exchange, Covered California, during their November through December open enrollment.

The information on Placer County's Medi-Cal web page is for reference only. Speak to a staff person for the most up-to-date information.

Apply for/Access your Public Benefits Online (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS)
Go to BenefitsCal.com to apply for or renew benefits, upload verification, and view information regarding health coverage, food, and cash assistance. BenefitsCal also makes it easy for community partners to create accounts and act as application assistors.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.ca.gov/2125/Medi-Cal-Program
• BenefitsCal - http://www.benefit…

CalFresh, formerly known as Food Stamps and known federally as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), provides extra funds to help those who are in need each month to buy groceries.

With a CalFresh electronic “debit” card (known as EBT) you can buy most foods at many food stores and farmers markets.

Several Nevada County Farmers Markets offer a CalFresh matching program called Market Money (or Market Match), where you can double your CalFresh dollars up to a specified dollar amount per market per week. Amount may change from year to year.


Apply for CalFresh

Californians can visit BenefitsCal.com or GetCalFresh.org to apply or call 877-847-3663 (FOOD) to be connected to their local county social service office.

CalFresh is a low income program - the gross income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. However, CalFresh program rules are complex - some income is not countable, and some individuals with income below 200% FPL may not qualify for CalFresh.

If you have a hard time …

The Nevada County Department of Social Services provides information on how to Replace Lost or Damaged Food using CalFresh and that they lost or had damaged in an emergency such as fire, natural disaster, power outages, etc. A form must be submitted within 10 days of the end of an event, such as a power outage. Sometimes counties extend the deadline beyond 10 days.

To Apply for Replacement Benefits

Complete and submit Replacement or Disaster Supplement Affidavit (CF 303) to apply for CalFresh replacement benefits after disaster.

• In person - Nevada County Department of Social Services suggests that people come in person to a DSS office for most efficient service.
• Online - at BenefitsCal.com
• Forms - https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/forms-brochures
• Fax completed form to 530-265-9860

Forms

• English CF 303 form
• Spanish CF 303 form

Locations

Grass Valley - Brighton Greens
988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
530-265-1340

Nevada City - Eric Rood Administrative Center
950 Maidu Ave, Suite 120, …

The Emergency Relief Program provides short-term assistance to help non-residents who are stranded in Nevada County return to their place of residence. Assistance is offered as a loan and may include temporary lodging, food support, transportation funding, and travel fare.

Services include:

• Motel vouchers as short-term shelter
• Food vouchers for basic needs
• Gas funds for travel
• Bus fare assistance for transportation

People must apply in person at one of the three Nevada County Department of Social Services locations:

• Brighton Greens, 988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949, 530-265-1340 (same phone as for Rood Center)
• Eric Rood Government Center, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City, CA 95959, 530-265-1340 (same phone as for Brighton Greens)
• Nevada County Joseph Center, 10075 Levon Ave, Truckee, CA 96161, 530-582-7803

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/879/Social-Services

The Nevada County Department of Social Services offers a supplemental assistance program for adults who do not qualify for federal or state programs such as CalWORKs or SSI/SSP. 

The program is designed to meet basic needs when no other resources are available and serves as a last-resort safety net. General Assistance is a repayable grant, not an entitlement.

Services include:

• Emergency cash assistance for housing, food, and basic needs
• Temporary employment services for individuals deemed employable

Program eligibility is determined through a needs assessment and requires repayment under certain conditions.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1626/Cash-Assistance-for-Individuals

The Nevada County Public Health Department provides the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program, which supports pregnant people, new parents, and children under age 5 with nutrition education and healthy food benefits.

Services include:

• Nutrition education and counseling
• Breastfeeding support and resources
• Health referrals to services such as prenatal care and immunizations
• Monthly benefits for healthy foods, accessed via a benefits card
• Enrollment support for fathers, foster parents, legal guardians, and grandparents caring for eligible children

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3962/Public-Health 
• WIC Program - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/867/Women-Infants-Children-Program

The Village Church provides a Food Closet called DEACON'S FOOD PANTRY.  Gifts of food each month, donations through Village Market, and other financial donations support this program. Non perishable food box can be picked up Mon-Fri 9-5. 

Web pages

• Home - https://www.thevillagechurchnv.org/

The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada offers disaster response, preparedness education, and health and safety training for people across Northern Nevada.

Services include:

• Disaster relief during earthquakes, wildfires, floods, home fires, and gas leaks
• Emergency shelter, food, clothing, and emotional support after local crises
• Preparedness education for households and community groups
• Certification courses in CPR, First Aid, and other health and safety topics

Web pages

• Home - https://www.redcross.org/local/nevada/about-us/locations/Northern-Nevada.html