Emergency Assistance

Program Purpose

Families who are experiencing a financial emergency may be eligible for financial help to pay for utilities and/or medicine. There is a limit in Orange County of $200 per twelve-month period. People needing assistance more than once a year are required to attend financial counseling.

Eligibility Information

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be able to eliminate the emergency situation by the Emergency Assistance (EA) payment
  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible alien
  • Have total income at or below 200% of poverty level
  • Not have received the maximum available EA payment ($200 for 12 months)

This is just a guide. An eligibility worker at the Department of Social Services will assess your individual situation and inform you of your eligibility status.

Application Information

Applications are taken at either building of the Orange County Department of Social Services and are processed within 5 workdays.

Bringing the following items will aid in the process of applications:

  • Cut off notice(s), eviction order, etc.
  • Identification