Federal Assistance and Programs
Learn more about the available federal programs, tax credits, and benefits on this page to assist you and your families.
Agricultural Programs
Crop Insurance protects agricultural producers against crop losses resulting from natural causes. The program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA), offers several different plans for crops and livestock. Find more information here.
Emergency Loan Program provides loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine by animal quarantine laws or imposed by the Secretary under the Plant Protection Act.
Farm Loans: FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to family-size farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank, Farm Credit System institution, or other lender.
Additional Resources:
Learn more about resources and opportunities available on the USDA website.
Food and Nutrition Assistance:
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) known as CalFresh in California helps eligible, low-income individuals purchase the food they need for good health. Applications are available in person and online. APPLY for benefits, click HERE.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded, state-run program. Also known as welfare, TANF helps families financially after experiencing hardship. In California, this program is known as CalWORKs.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal funding to states for supplemental foods, health care, and nutrition education, which is then supplied to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. APPLY for WIC benefits, here.
The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the WIC program. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons. Learn more HERE.
The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMP) provides SFMNP check booklets to eligible low-income seniors to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs through local Certified Farmers’ Markets. If you are a Tulare County resident, contact Tulare Kings Agency of Aging at 1-800-321-2462.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.
If you are a Fresno County resident contact the Central California Food Bank.
If you are a Tulare County resident contact Foodlink for Tulare County.
USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder: Through USDA's summer meal programs, approved sites in communities across the country can serve meals to kids up to age 18 at no cost. Families can use this tool to find directions to nearby meal sites, as well as their hours of operation and contact information. Click here for more information.
Energy Assistance and Tax Credits:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Energy Tax Credit: You may qualify for a credit of up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D if you buy a new, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed the rules for this credit for vehicles purchased from 2023 to 2032. To claim the credit and for more inflation, visit here.
Installing Rooftop Solar panels: Households can receive a tax credit to cover 30% of the costs of installing rooftop solar.
Making Energy efficient improvements: You may be eligible for a tax credit to cover up to 30% of the costs for certain efficiency improvements. These efficiency improvements include upgraded windows, doors, insulation, and other home weatherization services, or highly efficient heating and cooling appliances like heat pumps, central air conditioners, and water heaters.
Replacing heating or cooling systems: Households can claim a tax credit for 30% of the costs of buying and installing a heat pump, up to $2,000 including support for any electric system upgrades needed to make the home heat-pump-ready.
Healthcare:
Covered California is a free service that connects Californians with brand-name health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. People who are unemployed may be able to get a health plan through Covered California. Visit CoveredCA.com for more information about eligibility and how to apply.
Inflation Rebates in Medicare: The Inflation Reduction Act requires drug companies that raise their drug prices faster than the rate of inflation to pay Medicare a rebate.
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid healthcare program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medi-Cal is supported by Federal and state taxes. Learn more about how to APPLY here.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 and over. Some people under 65 may also qualify for Medicare due to illness or a disability. If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically begin receiving Medicare Parts A and B after 24 months. Learn more here.
Medicare Part D - A yearly cap ($2,000 in 2025) on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in Medicare
Medicare Part D - $35 Cap on Insulin: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part D enrollees will pay only $35 per month for insulin, as of January 1, 2023. If you get a 60- or 90-day supply of insulin, your costs can’t be more than $35 for each month’s supply of each covered insulin. Get more information about this new insulin benefit. If you take insulin, get help comparing plan options and costs:
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized health insurance counseling.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a national network of local crisis centers provides confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, at no cost. These services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days nationwide. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance:
Phone: Call 988
Chat: Chat with a mental health professional via their website.
For those who are deaf or have a hard time hearing: Dial 711, then 988.
Housing
Mortgage Relief: The California Mortgage Relief Program started during the COVID-19 pandemic and uses funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act’s Homeowners Assistance Fund. It helps homeowners with past-due payments. Apply at camortagagerelief.org. Any additional questions can be answered by U.S Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counselors at 1-800-569-4287.
Public Housing Assistance: If you need public housing assistance or would like specific information about public housing programs such as housing choice vouchers, please contact your local Public Housing Agency.
For Fresno County residents, visit the Fresno Housing Authority.
For Tulare County residents, visit the Housing Authority of the County of Tulare (HATC).
Housing Vouchers: The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
For Fresno County residents, visit the Fresno Housing Authority.
For Tulare County residents, visit the Housing Authority of the County of Tulare (HATC).
Utilities
Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. ACP-eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 from purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides financial assistance to eligible residents on their residential water utility bills. If you are a resident of Fresno County, apply here.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes by insulating walls and floors, installing low-flow shower headsGET, replacing appliances, and solar.