As Federal Unemployment Benefits Near Expiry, California Promotes Available State Benefits

With federal supplemental unemployment benefits set to expire next month, a host of California state departments and agencies are joining together to encourage eligible individuals to apply for critical public benefit programs that offer free or low-cost health coverage, provide money to pay for food, and pay rent and utilities.

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Covered California, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), the Employment Development Department (EDD), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), among others, are working together to proactively continue assisting state residents.

The state intends to utilize funding provided through the American Rescue Plan Act and the “California Comeback” and state budget to deliver expanded state-based benefits, including assistance for health coverage, CalWORKs, CalFresh, and rent and utility assistance.

Additional information from the State of California is available here.