Apply for Public Assistance

Aging and Social Services administers various federal, state, and local government programs designed to provide temporary cash aid, food assistance, and health insurance for eligible low-income Inyo County residents.

For more information, click on any of the links below or contact our office.

Bishop Office: 1360 N. Main St., (760) 872-1394

Lone Pine Office: 310 N. Jackson St., (760) 876-5545

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CalFresh

CalFresh is also known as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). CalFresh is a program for low-income families and individuals that meet certain income guidelines. CalFresh benefits help supplement your food budget and allow families and individuals to buy nutritious food. 

CalFresh benefits are accessed by using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. An EBT card is used the same way you would use a debit or ATM card. Eligibility and the amount of CalFresh benefits issued depend on your household size, income and certain living expenses.

CalFresh Food Benefits can now be Used Online to Purchase Groceries at Select Retailers ENGLISH  |  SPANISH

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CalWORKs

CalWORKs is designed to transition people from welfare to work. It provides temporary cash assistance to eligible families with minor children, to move families with children from dependency to self-sufficiency through employment.

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General Assistance / General Relief

General Assistance/Relief provides temporary cash assistance for eligible county residents who have no other means of support. Any aid received must be repaid to the county. Completed hours of required Job Training may count toward repayment of the debt.

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Medi-Cal Program

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.

Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

CAPI is a program that provides cash assistance to aged, blind or disabled non-citizens who have been denied Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) solely due to their immigration status. The program provides monthly cash assistance to help pay for living expenses such as rent and utilities

To be eligible for CAPI you must:

  1. Be ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to immigration status,
  2. Be 65 years old or older, blind, or disabled,
  3. Be a resident of California,
  4. Meet certain income and resource requirements, and
  5. Be a non-citizen and meet the immigration status criteria (See Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) Section 49.020 “Immigration Status”)

You may apply by completing an application (SOC 814) in person, by phone, email, fax, or mail at your county social services agency. If you wish to find out more about CAPI, please contact your county social services agency.

In addition to English, the CAPI application (SOC 814) is also available in the following languages: Spanish, Armenian and Chinese.

Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)

Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) provides State-funded assistance to noncitizen victims of human trafficking and to noncitizen victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes who are not eligible to RCA or CalWORKs. TCVAP is available to holders of a nonimmigrant T-Visa or U-Visa. 

TCVAP may provide:

  • Cash Assistance 
  • Food Benefits 
  • Employment Services 
  • Other Services 

The TCVAP is a state-funded program and is administered by the Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB).

For more information see the Human Trafficking & Crime Victims Assistance Programs Fact Sheet. 

Applying for TCVAP

You may apply for TCVAP electronically at www.BenefitsCal.com (select cash aid) or by completing a paper application and submitting the application

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program provides cash assistance, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh to refugees. RCA is available for up to 12 months from date of admission to the U.S. in qualifying status, date of final grant of asylum or date of certification by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as Victim of Trafficking.

Who is Considered a Refugee?

The following U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) classifications are all considered refugees for the purpose of RCA:

  • Refugees
  • Asylees
  • Cuban and Haitian Entrants
  • Amerasians from Vietnam
  • Certified Human Trafficking Victims
  • Victims of Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Other Serious Crimes
  • Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders

Applying for RCA

You may apply for RCA electronically at www.BenefitsCal.com (select cash aid) or by completing a paper application and submitting the application:

Report Fraud

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Inyo County Health & Human Services asks that anyone suspecting CalWORKs, Cal Fresh, General Assistance/Relief, or Medi-Cal fraud, waste, or abuse  call our Fraud line at 760-873-3305. You may report fraud 24 hours a day. The call is free and the caller may remain anonymous.

If you prefer to email your complaint to our office, click here.