Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Last updated 04/08/2026
Contact
- Email: piar@dss.ca.gov
- Phone: 916-651-8848
Description
The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence. CDSS is comprised of more than 5,800 employees who are responsible for the oversight and administration of programs serving California's most vulnerable residents.
Services
Bringing Families Home Program
The Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program provides housing-related support to families in the California child welfare system who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. By offering housing-related financial assistance, case management, and housing navigation, the program aims to reduce homelessness as well as increase family reunification and prevent out-of-home foster care placements.
Last updated 04/07/2026
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program
The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program is an entitlement program operating in all 58 counties for families participating in or apparently eligible for the CalWORKs program who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Through Temporary HA, the program provides payments for temporary shelter for up to 16 days in a 12-month period. Through Permanent HA, the program supports families by covering security deposit, last month’s rent, or by paying for up to two months of rent arrearages.
Last updated 04/07/2026
CalWORKs Housing Support Program
The CalWORKs Housing Support Program provides flexible housing-related support to families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in the CalWORKs program. The program can offer housing navigation, case management, and rental assistance to help families achieve their housing goals and thereby provide a foundation for family well-being and self-sufficiency.
Last updated 04/07/2026
Community Care Expansion
The Community Care Expansion (CCE) Program provides funding to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, and preserve housing with care and supportive services, including permanent supportive housing, recuperative care, recovery housing, and licensed adult care facilities for vulnerable populations. It serves individuals applying for or receiving Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Last updated 04/07/2026
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Federal and California Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs) are special tax breaks for people who work part time or full time. If you have work income, you can file and claim your EITC refunds, even if you don’t owe any income tax.
Last updated 01/13/2022
Find Assisted Living
Find Assisted Living Facilities and Services, such as adult residential and daycare, elderly assisted living, child care, residential care for children, and home care organizations.
Last updated 11/08/2021
Find Child Care
Find Child Care Services via the Department of Social Services website. Select your desired facility type and one of the following: street, city, zip code, county. Or, you can search via facility number.
Last updated 11/08/2021
Find e-Benefits in Your County
This site connects you to applications for Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program (CMSP), CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) benefits in California.
Last updated 01/13/2022
Find Foster Care
Find Foster Care Services via the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website. Select "Foster Family Agencies" on the CDSS website to begin.
Last updated 11/08/2021
Find Refugee Services
Find information about services offered to refugees. You can find places to learn English, get jobs and training, and learn about education, citizenship, and legal help.
Last updated 03/23/2021
Food stamps
The CalFresh program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.
Last updated 10/21/2025
Get Citizenship Services
Get access to citizenship services via the Department of Social Services website. Citizenship services can include information on eligibility requirements and application assistance with the naturalization application. Knowledgeable service providers exist throughout California; select your region to find a provider near you.
Last updated 12/12/2025
Get DACA Legal Help
Find immigration legal services for DACA via the Department of Social Services website. There are service providers throughout California.
Last updated 10/08/2020
Get Legal Help
Find immigration legal services via the Department of Social Services website. Legal help can include application assistance with the Naturalization application and other USCIS forms. Service providers exist throughout California; select your region to find a provider near you.
Last updated 10/08/2020
Home Safe Program
The Home Safe program provides housing-related assistance to individuals involved in Adult Protective Services who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. By offering services such as housing navigation, landlord mediation, deep cleaning, and housing-related financial assistance, the program supports victims of elder or dependent adult abuse or exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect.
Last updated 04/07/2026
Housing and Disability Advocacy Program
The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) assists Californians experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are likely eligible for disability benefits. The program integrates benefits advocacy with housing support, providing outreach, case management, and financial assistance to help participants secure stable housing while navigating the application process for disability benefits.
Last updated 04/02/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I keep getting no results?
We may have no facilities in the search criteria you selected. We recommend you add fewer search variables or even select just the facility type and then filter your search on this page using the filter function on top.
Why do some facility names look strange or cut off?
Facility names may appear as abbreviated due to the limited number of characters allowed in the system for this information.
How do I see more detail about a facility?
Select "view" to see additional information about the facility.
Where can I find eligibility requirements for naturalization?
Eligibility requirements are listed on the CDSS website at the following link: