Need Help Paying Rent? 14 Ways to Get Help in California
Behind on rent or about to be? Here are 14 real ways to get help in California, starting with the ones that work fastest.
Rent is due, and the money is not there yet. You are not alone, and you have more options than you might think. Start with your landlord and 211, then work through the programs and quick cash ideas below. Each one shows how fast it works and what it costs.
Quick answer
The fastest help with rent usually comes from talking to your landlord before the due date, dialing 2-1-1 to find programs that are open now, and applying for emergency rental assistance in your city or county. For a small gap, a payroll advance or a short term loan can cover it quickly.
- Talk to your landlord before the rent is late, not after.
- Rent help programs open and close often. 211 knows what is available right now.
- Families with children and veterans have extra programs. See ways 6 and 7.
- Never pay anyone to apply for rent help. Real programs are free.
Where to start
Start here, before rent is late
Rent help programs in California
Find the money yourself
If rent is hard every month
Start here, before rent is late
1Talk to your landlord before the due date
Most landlords would rather work something out than look for a new tenant. Call or write before rent is due, explain what happened, and offer a plan: a few extra days, a split payment, or a small catch up amount added to the next few months. Get any agreement in writing, even a text or an email.
2Pay what you can right now
Paying part of the rent on time shows good faith and leaves less to catch up on. Pay in a way that leaves a record, like a check, a money order or an online payment, and keep the receipt.
3Call 211 to find rent help near you
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in California. The free, confidential line knows which rent help programs in your county are taking applications right now, and that changes often.
Rent help programs in California
4Apply for emergency rental assistance
Many California cities and counties run emergency rental assistance when they have funding, and some pay your landlord directly. Search your city or county name with “rental assistance,” or ask 211 which programs are open. Have your lease, ID, proof of income and the amount you owe ready.
5Ask local charities for a one time payment
Groups like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul often help with a one time rent payment, especially after a job loss or a medical bill. Help depends on local funding, so call more than one.
6Families: CalWORKs Homeless Assistance
If your family receives or qualifies for CalWORKs, Homeless Assistance can pay up to 2 months of back rent if you are at risk of losing your home, or help with a security deposit and last month’s rent for a new place. It is usually available once every 12 months. Apply at your county social services office.
7Veterans: rent help through SSVF
The VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program can help low income veteran families with rent, security deposits, utility bills and moving costs. Call the VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 to be connected with a provider near you.
8Get free legal help if you get a notice
If you receive a written notice from your landlord or court papers, do not ignore them. Free legal aid groups help renters every day and can walk you through your options. Find one in your county at LawHelpCA.org.
Find the money yourself
9Ask your employer for a payroll advance
Some employers advance part of your paycheck, or offer an earned wage access app that lets you take pay you have already earned before payday. Ask HR or your manager what is available.
10Sell something or pick up gig work
Selling a few things you no longer use or picking up delivery shifts can cover a small gap quickly. See our list of 15 ways to get cash today for more ideas.
11Cover a small gap with a short term loan
If you are only a little short and get paid soon, a short term loan can cover the gap so rent goes out on time. At Cash in Flash you can borrow $100 to $255 online, see every fee before you sign, and repay in one payment on your next payday. It is not a fix if rent is a stretch every month.
Borrow $100 to $255 online
- Decision in minutes
- Money as soon as today
- One flat fee, shown before you sign
12Free up cash with CalFresh and utility discounts
Grocery help from CalFresh and the CARE or FERA utility discounts lower your other bills, which leaves more of your paycheck for rent. CalFresh can arrive within 3 days if you qualify, and CARE can take 30% to 35% off your electric bill. See our guide to help paying your electric bill.
If rent is hard every month
13Get a roommate or rent out a room
Splitting rent is one of the biggest savings there is. Check your lease and ask your landlord first, since many leases need the landlord’s approval for anyone new moving in.
14Apply for long term housing help
Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, and affordable housing programs can lower your rent for years, but the waitlists are long. Get on the list with your local public housing authority as soon as you can.
What to avoid when you are behind on rent
- Anyone who charges a fee to help you apply for rent assistance. Real programs are free.
- Ignoring calls, letters or notices from your landlord. Problems get harder to fix the longer they wait.
- Moving out without talking to your landlord first, which can leave you owing more.
- Borrowing more than you can repay from your next paycheck.
- Car title loans, where you can lose the car you need to get to work.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get help paying rent fast in California?▾
Start by talking to your landlord before the due date and dialing 2-1-1 to find rent help that is open in your county. Emergency rental assistance, local charities and a payroll advance can all help within days.
Who helps with rent in an emergency?▾
Your city or county rental assistance program, charities like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and St. Vincent de Paul, CalWORKs Homeless Assistance for families, and SSVF for veterans. 211 can connect you with all of them.
What should I do if I cannot pay rent on time?▾
Talk to your landlord before the due date and offer a plan, pay what you can, and look for rent help right away. If you receive a written notice, do not ignore it. Free legal aid can help, and you can find it at LawHelpCA.org.
Can I get a loan to pay rent?▾
Yes. If you are only a little short and get paid soon, a short term loan can cover the gap. Credit unions also offer small loans you repay over a few months. Avoid borrowing more than you can repay from your next paycheck.
Does 211 help with rent?▾
211 does not pay rent itself, but it is the fastest way to find out which rent help programs in your area are taking applications right now.
A little short on rent?
Borrow $100 to $255 online in about 5 minutes. If you are approved, money can arrive as soon as today, and every fee is shown before you sign.