Pick what you need. It opens a short list of California offices and national lines to start with. Choose another state.
Free, private support any hour of the day.
Text START to 88788
National Domestic Violence Hotline
An advocate can help you think through safety, shelter and next steps, whether or not you are ready to leave.
Next step: Call, text or chat. You do not have to give your name.
Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis, any hour.
988 Lifeline
You do not have to be thinking about suicide to call.
Next step: Call or text 988.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Crisis counselors answer any hour.
Childhelp
Call if you are worried about a child, or if you are afraid you might hurt yours.
Next step: Call and say what is going on.
Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
California has a domestic violence coalition that knows the local shelters and programs.
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
Shelter addresses are kept private for safety, so this site never lists them.
Next step: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline any hour, or open the list and choose your state's coalition.
Phone: National Domestic Violence Hotline
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
SNAP helps households with low income buy groceries.
California SNAP agency, as listed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
This page links to California's SNAP website and phone number and tells you how to apply.
Next step: Open the California entry, then apply online or call the number it lists.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Healthy foods, nutrition advice and breastfeeding support at no cost for women who are pregnant, recently pregnant or breastfeeding, and for babies and children under 5.
California WIC agency, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Next step: On the apply page, choose California (or your Tribe) from the list. Then call or apply online with a WIC agency near you.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
LIHEAP can help pay a share of heating and cooling bills.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Each state runs its own program. Applying never costs a fee.
Next step: Call the National Energy Assistance Referral line, weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, and give your city, county and California.
Phone: NEAR hotline
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
A free line that connects you to local help with housing, food, utilities, child care and more.
211, United Way and partners
Next step: Dial 211, or search by ZIP code at 211.org. Say what you need and your county.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover many children in families with low or moderate income.
Insure Kids Now, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
California sets its own rules.
Next step: Open the coverage page, choose California, and follow the steps to apply.
Phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Health centers charge on a sliding fee scale, so you can get care even if you are uninsured or cannot pay.
HRSA health centers, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Next step: Search by ZIP code, call the center, and ask whether it provides prenatal care and what the sliding fee would be. Or call 1-800-311-BABY to find your area health department.
Phone: 1-800-311-BABY
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
The national directory lists member diaper banks by state and city.
National Diaper Bank Network member banks
Next step: Find California in the directory and contact the bank nearest you to ask how to sign up. If none is close, dial 211 and ask about diaper help.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free early intervention for children under 3 who are behind or have a disability.
California has several regional parent centers that help families of children with any disability with school plans, meetings and your rights.
The federally funded disability rights agency for your state.
The California page gathers links for finding licensed child care, help paying for it, child support, health coverage and more.
ChildCare.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Next step: Open the California page and use its link to find child care near you.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free learning and development for children from birth to age 5 in eligible families.
Office of Head Start, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
All programs welcome children with disabilities.
Next step: Enter your city or ZIP code in the locator, then call the program listed and ask how to enroll.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Legal aid offices help people with low income with custody, divorce, housing and benefits at no cost.
Free, private support for anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby and feels sad, anxious or overwhelmed.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Counselors answer any hour, in English and Spanish.
Next step: Call or text. You do not have to be in a crisis to reach out.
Phone: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
PSI has Support Coordinators in every US state who can talk with you about postpartum depression, anxiety and other struggles around pregnancy and birth, and point you to local help.
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Next step: Call the HelpLine or open the PSI site and choose United States to find help in your area. This is not an emergency line. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free, confidential emotional support for parents and caregivers when parenting feels like too much.
Parents Anonymous
Trained specialists answer by call, text or live chat any hour.
Next step: Call, text or chat. You do not have to be in a crisis.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Meet other moms. Find a group near you or online. Meet moms