Department of Public Social Services

The Los Angeles County CA Department of Public Social Services administers public benefit programs that help eligible residents obtain food assistance, health coverage, temporary cash aid, employment services, in-home care, and support during periods of housing instability. This guide explains the major programs available through the department, how to apply, how to manage an existing case, which documents may be required, how renewals work, and where to seek help when benefits are delayed, reduced, or discontinued.

Start With the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services

The Department of Public Social Services, commonly called DPSS, serves individuals and families with different financial, medical, employment, and caregiving needs. A household may qualify for more than one program at the same time. For example, a family receiving CalWORKs cash aid may also receive CalFresh food benefits and Medi-Cal health coverage.

The official Department of Public Social Services website organizes assistance into several broad service categories:

Cash assistance for families, adults, refugees, and certain qualified immigrants

Food and nutrition assistance through CalFresh and Electronic Benefits Transfer

Medi-Cal health coverage for eligible children, adults, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities

Employment preparation, training, job search, and supportive services

Homeless and housing-related assistance connected to qualifying cash aid programs

In-Home Supportive Services for eligible seniors and people with disabilities

Child care and specialized services for qualifying CalWORKs participants

Civil rights assistance, appeals, and state hearing information

Applicants should focus on the program that best matches their immediate need, but they should answer all application questions completely. The information provided may help the county identify additional benefits for which the household could qualify.

Choose the Right Public Assistance Program Before Applying

DPSS administers several programs with different income, household, age, disability, immigration, and participation requirements. The department's program and services directory provides a central overview of cash aid, food assistance, health coverage, employment programs, homeless services, senior services, community support, and customer service options.

Use CalFresh to Increase a Household Food Budget

CalFresh is California's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program was formerly known as Food Stamps. It provides eligible households with monthly food benefits that are generally issued through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card.

CalFresh benefits may be used to purchase qualifying food from participating grocery stores, farmers' markets, and approved online retailers. Some eligible participants may also use benefits through the Restaurant Meals Program at participating restaurants.

Eligibility is based on factors such as household composition, income, allowable deductions, and program rules. Applicants should report everyone who purchases and prepares food together when completing the household section of the application. They should also accurately report earned income, unearned income, housing expenses, utility costs, dependent care expenses, and qualifying medical expenses.

The official food and nutrition assistance page explains CalFresh, EBT cards, the Restaurant Meals Program, benefit maintenance requirements, and current policy notices.

Ask About Expedited CalFresh Processing

Some households may qualify for expedited CalFresh service. According to the official BenefitsCal information supplied for applicants, expedited processing may be available when a household has very low monthly income and limited liquid resources, when combined income and liquid resources are less than rent or mortgage and utility expenses, or when a destitute migrant or seasonal farmworker household meets the applicable resource test.

An expedited case still requires an application and interview. Applicants should answer questions about current income, cash, bank accounts, housing expenses, and utility obligations carefully so the county can determine whether faster processing applies.

Request CalWORKs When Children Need Financial Support

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids provides temporary cash assistance and employment-focused services to qualifying families with minor children. Benefits may help pay for housing, food, utilities, clothing, transportation, and other necessary household expenses.

CalWORKs is time-limited, and many adult participants must participate in the Greater Avenues for Independence program unless they qualify for an exemption. GAIN may include employment planning, job search activities, vocational assessment, remedial education, skills training, work experience, and post-employment support.

Pregnant applicants and relatives caring for minor children should provide complete household information, including relationships among household members. The county may request proof of identity, residence, income, pregnancy, school attendance, child support cooperation, or other eligibility factors depending on the case.

Consider General Relief for Adults Without Minor Children

General Relief is a county-funded cash aid program for indigent adults and certain children in special circumstances who do not qualify for federal or state cash assistance programs. It is commonly used by single adults and couples without minor children who have very limited income and resources.

Able-bodied General Relief participants may be required to participate in Skills and Training to Achieve Readiness for Tomorrow. START provides employment and training services intended to help participants obtain work and move toward self-sufficiency. Able-bodied adults are generally subject to a limit of nine months of aid within a 12-month period.

Review CAPI and Refugee Assistance Rules Carefully

The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants provides cash assistance to certain aged, blind, or disabled legal non-citizens who are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income or State Supplemental Payment because of their immigration status. A CAPI participant may also qualify for Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services, or food assistance if the separate requirements for those programs are met.

Refugee Cash Assistance serves eligible refugees and certain other qualifying individuals who are not receiving CalWORKs or Supplemental Security Income. The official program information states that the assistance period for people becoming eligible on or after May 5, 2025, was reduced to four months. People who became eligible before that date remained subject to the earlier eligibility period described by the department.

Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program benefits may be available to certain non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes, along with qualifying family members. Eligibility depends on program-specific immigration, income, resource, and household requirements.

The official cash assistance program page explains CalWORKs, General Relief, CAPI, Refugee Cash Assistance, and assistance for trafficking and crime victims.

Apply Online and Build a Complete Benefits Case

Residents can apply online for food assistance, cash aid, and health coverage through BenefitsCal. The portal allows applicants to start an application, submit information, upload documents, and receive notices about their case.

A BenefitsCal account is especially useful after an application has been submitted. Registered users may be able to:

Review program status and benefit information
Read electronic notices that contain the same information sent by mail
Upload verification documents
Submit required periodic reports
Complete renewals and recertifications
Report certain household changes
Track application or case processing
View reminders and upcoming deadlines

People who do not have an online account may still be able to upload documents for an application or existing case. However, creating an account generally makes it easier to monitor notices, identify missing information, and respond before a deadline passes.

Prepare Documents That Support Eligibility

The exact documents needed depend on the programs requested and the circumstances of the household. An applicant should not delay submitting an application simply because every document is not immediately available. The application date can be important, especially for programs that may begin benefits based on the filing date.

Commonly requested verification may include:

Identity documents for the applicant and household members
Proof of residence or mailing address
Social Security numbers when required by the program
Pay stubs, employer statements, or proof of self-employment income
Benefit award letters or proof of unearned income
Bank statements or information about countable resources
Rent receipts, lease documents, or mortgage statements
Utility bills and household expense records
Child care or dependent care expenses
Medical expense records for qualifying household members
Immigration documents when relevant to the requested benefit
Pregnancy verification when required for a program determination
Disability, long-term care, or medical documentation when applicable

Documents should be readable and should show the person's name, relevant date, payment amount, account information, or other details needed to verify the reported fact. Applicants uploading photographs should make sure the entire page is visible and that no section is blurred, cut off, or covered.

Complete the Interview Without Leaving Gaps

Many benefit applications require an eligibility interview. The interview gives the county an opportunity to confirm household information, explain program rules, request missing proof, and identify possible deductions or exemptions.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss:

Who lives in the home
Who buys and prepares food together
Whether anyone recently started or stopped working
How often each person is paid
Whether income changes from week to week
Current housing and utility costs
Available cash and financial accounts
Disability, pregnancy, caregiving, or employment barriers
Recent changes in address, family size, or immigration status

When an answer is uncertain, the applicant should explain the situation rather than guess. A clear explanation can help the eligibility worker determine what additional verification is appropriate.

Use Medi-Cal for Free or Low-Cost Health Coverage

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. It provides comprehensive health coverage to qualifying residents with limited income. Applications may be submitted throughout the year, so residents do not need to wait for an annual open enrollment period to request Medi-Cal.

The Medi-Cal health care information page organizes coverage information for children and families, adults without children, pregnant people, seniors, people with disabilities, long-term care residents, former foster youth, and people seeking specialized treatment programs.

Match the Application to the Applicant's Health Situation

Medi-Cal eligibility and coverage pathways differ according to age, income, household size, pregnancy, disability, foster care history, long-term care needs, and other circumstances. Applicants should identify all potentially relevant conditions instead of completing the application as though every adult follows the same rules.

DPSS identifies several important coverage groups:

Children and families who meet applicable financial requirements
Adults between ages 19 and 64 without dependent children
Pregnant people seeking prenatal and related health coverage
Seniors and adults or children with disabilities
People who reside in or need care from a long-term care facility
Former foster youth who meet the program's age and foster care requirements
Eligible minors seeking confidential services through Minor Consent Medi-Cal
People requiring certain specialized treatment programs

Pay Attention to Medi-Cal Asset and Renewal Notices

Official DPSS notices state that asset information became relevant again beginning January 1, 2026, for certain Medi-Cal applicants and members, including some people who are age 65 or older, disabled, or seeking long-term care coverage. Because rules depend on the eligibility category, residents should read every county notice and provide requested asset information by the stated deadline.

A Medi-Cal renewal may require updated information about income, household composition, address, tax filing status, disability, property, or financial accounts. Even when a household believes its circumstances have not changed, it should complete any required renewal form and return requested proof on time.

Keep CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-Cal Active

Approval is not the final step in a public benefits case. Participants must continue meeting reporting, renewal, and program participation requirements. Missing a deadline can lead to delayed benefits, reduced benefits, or case closure.

Track Every Reporting and Renewal Date

Depending on the program and household type, a participant may need to submit a Semi-Annual Report, complete an annual renewal, attend an interview, report income above an Income Reporting Threshold, or provide proof of continuing eligibility.

A practical case-management routine includes:

Opening every mailed and electronic notice promptly
Writing down the due date and the program involved
Gathering documents before beginning the report
Keeping copies of every form and verification submitted
Saving upload confirmations, reference numbers, or screenshots
Checking BenefitsCal after submission for additional requests
Reporting address and contact changes as soon as possible

BenefitsCal uses verification measures to protect account information. Users may be asked to enter a one-time code sent to the email address or phone number associated with the account. Case linking may also require email or text verification. Anyone who receives an unexpected sign-in code should protect the account by changing the password through the official portal.

Understand New CalFresh Participation Rules

Official DPSS information states that beginning June 1, 2026, some adults ages 18 through 64 receiving CalFresh may need to meet work or community engagement requirements to receive benefits for more than three months within a 36-month period. Exemptions may apply based on a person's circumstances.

Participants should not assume that the rule applies to everyone in the same way. A person may qualify for an exemption because of disability, caregiving responsibilities, pregnancy, age, or another recognized condition. When a county notice requests information about work activity or an exemption, the participant should respond with complete and current documentation.

DPSS also announced CalFresh eligibility changes affecting certain non-citizens beginning April 1, 2026. Because immigration categories and household circumstances can be complex, participants should rely on the notice issued for their individual case and report any change in immigration status that may affect eligibility.

Find Employment Training and Child Care Support

Public assistance programs often combine financial help with employment preparation. The official DPSS job services page describes employment programs for CalWORKs participants, General Relief recipients, qualifying refugees, and residents seeking county career information.

Build an Employment Plan Through GAIN

GAIN helps CalWORKs participants prepare for and obtain employment. Services may include job search workshops, supervised job search, vocational assessment, remedial education, occupational training, work experience, and help retaining employment after placement.

Participants should discuss barriers early with their assigned worker. Transportation difficulties, lack of child care, domestic violence, mental health needs, substance use treatment, disability, or an unstable living situation may affect the services or accommodations required for successful participation.

Use START to Move From General Relief Toward Work

START serves General Relief participants who are required to take part in employment and training activities. It may also be available voluntarily to certain CalFresh participants. Participants are generally assigned to a worker who helps establish employment goals and connect the individual with appropriate activities.

Missing an assigned activity without communicating with the worker can affect benefits. Participants who cannot attend should report the reason promptly and provide verification when requested.

Request CalWORKs Child Care When Work Requires It

The CalWORKs Child Care Program may reimburse qualifying child care costs for current or former CalWORKs participants who are working or participating in a county-approved Welfare-to-Work activity. Participants should coordinate child care arrangements with the appropriate worker before assuming that every provider, schedule, or expense will be reimbursed.

Seek Homeless Assistance Through an Eligible Cash Aid Case

DPSS provides several services for families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The department explains that a person generally must first be eligible for an applicable cash assistance program before being assessed for DPSS homeless programs.

The qualifying cash program depends on household circumstances:

General Relief may apply to a single adult or couple without minor children.
CalWORKs may apply to a family with minor children or a pregnant applicant.
Refugee Cash Assistance may apply to an eligible refugee household.

Applications may be submitted online, in person at a district office, or by mail. The official homeless programs and services page explains how the cash aid connection affects access to available services.

People experiencing homelessness may also apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal. A fixed residential address is not necessarily the same as eligibility for assistance. Applicants should explain their current living and mailing situation so the county can determine how notices can be delivered and how residency can be verified.

Get In-Home Help for Seniors and People With Disabilities

In-Home Supportive Services helps qualifying seniors, blind individuals, and adults or children with disabilities remain safely in their own homes. It is intended as an alternative to certain forms of out-of-home care, including nursing homes and board-and-care facilities.

Depending on the assessment and authorization, IHSS services may include:

Housecleaning
Meal preparation
Laundry
Grocery shopping
Bathing and grooming assistance
Bowel and bladder care
Paramedical services
Accompaniment to medical appointments
Protective supervision for qualifying mental impairments

The county reviews the applicant's functional limitations, living arrangement, medical needs, and ability to complete daily activities safely. An application is not approved solely because a person has reached a certain age or has received a diagnosis. The assessment considers what assistance is reasonably necessary in the home.

The official services for seniors and persons with disabilities page provides information for applicants, recipients, providers, timesheets, and Electronic Visit Verification.

Fix Common Application and Case Problems

Respond Quickly When Verification Is Missing

A pending application may be delayed when required information is missing, unreadable, inconsistent, or outdated. Applicants should review the county request carefully and submit the exact item requested. Uploading unrelated paperwork can create more confusion rather than resolving the issue.

If the requested document does not exist, the applicant should explain why and ask whether another form of verification can be accepted. For example, a person paid in cash may need to provide an employer statement or another acceptable income record rather than a traditional pay stub.

Report Household Changes Before They Cause Overpayments

Changes in employment, income, household members, address, marital status, housing costs, disability, or immigration status may affect eligibility. Reporting rules differ by program, so participants should follow the instructions included with their approval and renewal notices.

Failing to report a required change can result in an overpayment or overissuance. DPSS may later seek repayment of benefits that the household was not eligible to receive. Keeping dated copies of reports and supporting documents can help resolve disagreements about when a change was reported.

Challenge an Action Through Appeals and State Hearings

An applicant or participant may disagree with a county action or with the county's failure to act. Examples include a denied application, delayed processing, reduced benefits, discontinued aid, an overpayment determination, or a dispute about program requirements.

The notice of action should explain the reason for the decision, the effective date, and the right to request a hearing. Deadlines matter. A participant who wants benefits to continue while a dispute is pending may need to request a hearing before the effective date stated in the notice, subject to the applicable program rules.

Applicants should keep the notice, write down the facts they dispute, gather supporting records, and identify the result they are requesting. The official DPSS contact information page includes customer service, civil rights, appeals, program hotlines, abuse reporting, and accessibility contacts.

Request Language Access and Disability Accommodations

DPSS provides free translation and interpreter services, including American Sign Language. Customer service is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Armenian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi, Tagalog, Russian, and Korean.

An applicant who needs language assistance should request it when contacting the department, attending an interview, reviewing a notice, or participating in a hearing-related process. A family member should not have to interpret complex eligibility or legal information when an official interpreter is available.

People with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations. Depending on the person's needs, an accommodation may involve accessible communication, help completing forms, an alternative method of receiving information, or another adjustment that allows meaningful access to the program.

Department and Office Contact List

Customer Service Center
Toll Free: (866) 613-3777
Local: (310) 258-7400
Local: (626) 569-1399
Local: (818) 701-8200

Appeals and State Hearings
Phone: (800) 952-5253

Civil Rights
Phone: (562) 908-8501

Americans with Disabilities Act
Phone: (844) 586-5550

In-Home Supportive Services Telephone Applications
Phone: (888) 944-4477
Phone: (213) 744-4477

In-Home Supportive Services Helpline
Phone: (888) 822-9622

Child Care Hotline
Phone: (877) 244-5399

Adult Protective Services
Phone: (877) 477-3646

Child Protection Services
Phone: (800) 540-4000

Long Term Care Ombudsman
Phone: (800) 510-2020

LA County Health and Nutrition Hotline
Phone: (877) 597-4777

Welfare Fraud Prevention and Investigations
Phone: (800) 349-9970

Eligibility Benefits Recovery Section, Dispute Validation Taskforce
5445 Whittier Boulevard, 4th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Phone: (323) 727-4001

Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services FAQs

How do I apply for CAPI if it is not listed in the online cash aid application?

BenefitsCal accepts online applications for programs such as CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Relief, Refugee Cash Assistance, and Medi-Cal. The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants follows a different application process. Applicants seeking CAPI should review the eligibility instructions on the official DPSS cash assistance page and work directly with the county to submit the required application. CAPI is limited to certain aged, blind, or disabled legal non-citizens who cannot receive SSI or State Supplemental Payment because of their immigration status.

Can DPSS transfer my benefits after I move to another county?

DPSS customer service workers can assist with inter-county transfers involving CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Relief cases. Report the new residential and mailing addresses promptly, provide the move date, and continue checking notices while the transfer is pending. A transfer can require coordination between the former and new counties, so participants should not assume that their case has moved until they receive confirmation. The official DPSS customer service page identifies inter-county transfers as an available case service.

Does DPSS help disabled General Relief participants apply for SSI?

The Countywide Benefits Entitlement Services Team may assist physically or mentally disabled General Relief participants with the Supplemental Security Income application process. Assistance is not automatically available to every General Relief recipient. DPSS must determine whether the participant meets the program’s referral and eligibility requirements. Applicants can review CBEST information through the official DPSS resources page.

Can Medi-Cal recover money from a deceased member’s estate?

Medi-Cal must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased beneficiaries. According to DPSS, recovery applies to covered benefits received on or after the beneficiary’s 55th birthday when the person owned assets at death. When the deceased beneficiary leaves no assets, nothing is owed from the estate. Families should review the estate recovery information linked from the official Medi-Cal health care page before transferring or distributing estate property.