Where to get food, rent relief and other help in Santa Ana during this pandemic
Are you struggling to pay rent? Put food on the table? Find adequate medical care? Apply for unemployment? The city, county, community groups and local nonprofits are working to provide essential financial, food and medical services for Santa Ana residents during this global pandemic.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the resources available to the public to ensure community safety and well being.
*This is a growing list. If you would like us to include additional nonprofits currently providing support during this pandemic email emilyhernandez@eldonnews.org with “resource guide” in the subject line and details of how people can access the resources.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
CalWorks is a program for families in need of cash aid, housing, food and utility assistance. CalWorks application assistance is offered through the Santa Ana College counseling office and the Santa Ana Health Care Agency. Call 855-927-8333 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Additional application assistance at Santa Ana WIC West. Call 855-927-8333 hours of operation are from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays
Rent and Bills: The financial service agency Share Our Selves is still offering utility bill assistance such as gas, water, and electricity in May. Rent assistance is currently unavailable due to the high volume of applicants this May. Clients are encouraged to call at the end of the month if they are seeking June rental assistance. Phone number: 949-270-2100 ext. 2151 or 2152 (Utility Assistance)
Santa Ana Coronavirus Emergency Rental Relief Fund: The City of Santa Ana is giving up to $1,500 towards rent relief for low-income households that have been impacted by COVID-19. Qualified residents must submit their application before 5:00 p.m. on Friday May 22. For more information on the relief fund, click here.
- To qualify:
- Must be a resident of the City of Santa Ana with a current lease of sublease agreement with an address in the city.
- Must provide documentation of your inability to pay rent due to Coronavirus verified by a letter to your landlord.
- Must qualify as a low-income household.
Free internet: Charter Spectrum is providing 60 days of free internet and WiFi for new households with students or teachers who need it. This will be applied as a credit for the first two months of internet services. Installation and pre-payment fees will be waived. Call 855-243-8892
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) offers discounted landline services or a Free Wireless Plan. Only one discount per household for each home but applicants must choose to get the discount on either a home phone or cell phone only. Call 866-272-0349
The Obama Phone Program offers cell phone services to low-income individuals in California. The program hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 562-281-8661
Housing: Mercy House Living Centers, Inc. is a non-profit organization that offers emergency services, transitional housing, and permanent housing with supportive services. Agency Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone number: 714-836-7188. Website: www.mercyhouse.net Email: info@mercyhouse.net
FOOD
The Power of One Foundation is an Emergency Food Assistance Organization (EFA). In the last seven weeks, this organization has fed 133,030 individuals in Orange County. Food distribution days are held weekly on Saturdays from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: MainPlace Mall 2800 N Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92705
https://www.powerofonefoundation.org/
Serve The People food drive will be held on May 16 from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. it is suggested to arrive thirty minutes prior. This will be a drive-through setting.
Location: 1206 E 17th St, Suite 204 Santa Ana, CA 92701.
CalFresh is a medical, food, and cash assistance program. For Application Assistance call, 888-600-4357, 888-600-HELP
MEDICAL
OC’s Medical Safety Net Program offers payment assistance for low-income adults without insurance for urgent and emergency care. Eligibility Information: 714-347-0389 Business Line General Info.: 714-834-6248.
For medical-related questions on COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Care Agency referral line: 1-800-564-8448.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free and Income-Based Clinics in Santa Ana:
Hurtt Family Health Clinic
Primary Health Care Service
1100 B. North Tustin, Santa Ana
714-247-0300
Hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 pm.
AltaMed Medical Group
Offers a broad range of health services
1400 N. Main St. Santa Ana
714-541-6815
UC Irvine Family Health Center
Healthcare for families, individuals, and children. Services may vary depending on income, this facility operates on a sliding scale. If you have no insurance you can be covered.
800 N. Main St. Santa Ana
714-480-2443
COVID-19 Testing
Santa Ana: Alta-Med is located at 2720 S. Bristol St. #1040, Santa Ana. Call (888) 499-9303 for an appointment.
OC Health Care Agency has a list of additional testing sites in Orange County
EMPLOYMENT
Out of work? File for unemployment through the State of California’s website
The county maintains a list of local one-stop job centers and holds job-search workshops
Santa Ana Work Center connects job seekers to skills and opportunities needed to change careers
Check Orange County’s employment site for active job listings with the county
And this list of local American Job Centers that are open during the pandemic
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