Access County Services
We are dedicated to improving quality of life for the community by providing a wide range of information, resources and opportunities. Select a category below to see how we can help you.
Services last updated: October 2024
USCIS do not consider receipt of health, food, and housing benefits as part of a public charge determination. For more information visit our Public Charge page.
Starting January 1, 2024, everyone who is income-eligible can get “full-scope” Medi-Cal coverage, regardless of age and immigration status. For more information, visit the Department of Public Social Services site.
Services By Category
Food
Federally funded food assistance program SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in California, also known as food stamps.
Supplemental nutrition program for pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children up to age 5 in families whose gross income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
Nonprofit organizations distributing free food items to families in need
Health & Vital Records
Federal Medicaid health insurance program in California, available in different coverage levels based on income and status. Full-scope Medi-Cal available to all eligible California residents age 25 and under regardless of immigration status.
Alternative to nursing homes or board and care facilities, pay for in-home care to low-income elderly, blind or disabled individuals.
Health care facilities including emergency room, urgent care, and outpatient clinics operated by the County, services at these locations are available to all County residents
If you or a loved one is experiencing or affected by a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis, please call or text ‘988’ for free, confidential, and immediate help. For mental health resources and support, call DMH’s 24/7 help line at (800) 854-7771.
Information on obtaining and viewing County records such as birth, death, marriage and property documents
Financial Assistance and Worker Protections
Federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance program in California, available for families with dependent children
Cash assistance for indigent adults without dependent children
Federally funded income support program for eligible individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind or disabled
Cash assistance to certain aged, blind, and disabled legal non-citizens ineligible for SSI/SSP due to their immigration status.
Federally funded cash assistance program for refugee without dependent children, assistance available for up to 8 months from date of admission to the country in qualifying status, or from the date of final grant of asylum
Up to 26 weeks of income replacement program for eligible workers who totally or partially lost their jobs due to no fault of their own, and who are physically able and available to work
Maximum 52 weeks of 60 or 70 percent income replacement program for eligible workers who totally or partially lose their wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy
Up to 6 months of 60 or 70 percent income replacement program for eligible workers who need to take time off work to care for a seriously ill qualified family member, or take time off to bond with a new child by birth, adoptio
Investigate minimum wage complaint within the County ordinance jurisdiction and assist victims to recover owed wages
If you make less than $57,000 annually, you may qualify for cash back through the several tax credits – but only if you file. Find free tax prep services.
Housing
Enforce the County’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance and provide counseling to tenants and landlords regarding rent increase and eviction
Housing developments owned and operated by the housing authorities which lease these units directly to the residents
Portable rental assistance subsidized by housing authorities, eligible tenants rent their units on open housing market and pay a portion of the rent based on their income while the housing authorities pay the balance of the rent to the landlords
Property owners may request a reassessment from the Assessor’s Office to reduce property tax if their properties suffer decline in values
Free services provided by Public Works to residents to safely and legally dispose hazardous wastes such as batteries, electronic, paint, motor oil, sharp objects, pharmaceuticals, toxic or flammable wastes
Building & Safety enforces the building code in the County with services such as issuing permits, checking and approving construction plans, and handling code violation complaints
Free sandbags and instructions available for residents to protect their properties during rain season
Provide guidance and regulation on how to build an accessory dwelling unit on an existing property
Treasurer and Tax Collector offers tax-defaulted properties for sale to the public at several auctions throughout the year
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk provides real estate records from year 1850 to present.
Property owners who use their primary residence for short-term rental activity (also known as “hosts”) are required to register their property each year with the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Transportation
Provide curb-to-curb shared-ride transportation services for elderly and disabled individuals within Los Angeles County
The LIFE program helps qualifying LA County residents save on fares. Once you’re in the program, you can load 20 free regional rides each month or purchase a discounted pass on any of the 13 LIFE participating transit agencies.
Education & Employment
Companion program to the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program, provide undergraduate students with meaningful on-the-job training and experience working in nonprofit organizations in the field of performing, film, media, or literary arts
Provide employment-related services including education/vocational training, paid work experience, transportation, childcare, counseling, and other supportive services for CalWORKs and GR participants
Provide employment-related services including education/vocational training, paid work experience, transportation, childcare, counseling, and other supportive services for CalWORKs and GR participants
Provide employment-related services to eligible refugees and asylees up to 5 years from the date of entry in the U.S. or from the date asylum is granted
Designed to prepare children ages 3 to 5 for pre-school and kindergarten through a variety of activities including arts and crafts, learning basic counting and letters, and educational field trips
After school activities offered at local parks for children under age 18 to get homework assistance, healthy snacks, and a supervised safe environment to socialize with peers
Day camps offered to children at local parks with activities including arts and crafts, music, sports, baseball, basketball, soccer and swimming, Crime Scene Investigations (C.S.I.) Camp offered to children during summer with a six-week instructional program that focuses on topics including crime scene reconstruction, tracking, bomb disposal, arson investigation, fingerprints and DNA analysis
Free, online language-learning classes through Mango that offers self-paced classes including ESL and over 70 languages
Library provides free, self-paced, and accredited high school diploma program that can be completed in 18 months or less, plus a career certificate in 1 of 10 high-demand job fields
Library provides free homework help from a live, online tutor in English and Spanish everyday from 12 PM to 10 PM
Childhood learning programs provided by LACOE to prepare children from birth to age 5 with necessary social and learning skills before entering formal schools
Free or low-cost adult education programs offered at local school districts to individuals age 18 or older with classes including ESL, citizenship preparation classes, and various career training programs
California’s system of 2-year public institutions that offer transfer opportunities to 4-year colleges, associate degrees, credentials, or certificates preparing students for in-demand jobs
Resource centers that provide a variety of employment-related services including job skill training and recruitment for eligible job seekers and local employers
Legal & Public Safety
Regulate and inspect measurements for petroleum fuel meters, utility submeters, odometers, taximeters, LPG meters, and all grocery, butcher, jewelry, postal, vehicle, luggage, and shipping scales to ensure measurement accuracy, and investigate complaints regarding any retailer’s violation
Provide free criminal defense to any defendants who cannot afford to retain the services of a private attorney, also may represent involuntarily detained individuals in a variety of mental disability or conservatorship proceedings, or individuals who are subject to contempt proceedings for violation of court orders, such as child support, child visitation or custody orders
Provide free criminal defense to any defendants who cannot afford to retain the services of a private attorney, also may represent involuntarily detained individuals in a variety of mental disability or conservatorship proceedings, or individuals who are subject to contempt proceedings for violation of court orders, such as child support, child visitation or custody orders
Free services to assist litigants to understand the Small Claim Court procedures and how to file appropriate paperwork
Free and confidential services to assist parties involved in disputes to settle through a neutral third-party mediator out of the court
Provide information and resources about court procedures to individuals so that they can effectively represent themselves in family or civil courts
Investigate various types of consumer fraud complaints and assist victims to recover losses when possible
Investigate and enforce relevant laws involving animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, or illegal animal fighting to protect the animals’ wellbeing, as well as investigate complaints against dangerous animals to protect the public
Assist crime victims and witnesses with services including crisis intervention, counseling and social services referral, restitution, and case status notification
Provide crisis hotline, shelter, legal, and a variety of supportive services to domestic violence victims
Human trafficking victims (T-visa) or victims of qualifying crimes (U-visa) may be able to obtain visas to stay in the country to assist law enforcement agencies investigating and prosecuting the criminals, District Attorney’s Office or station detective from the Sheriff’s Department may assist the victims to complete the required certification
Track and monitor hate crime reports in the County and connect victims to appropriate social services through contract with 211
211 LA County provides hate crimes reporting for people in LA County.
Assist clearing criminal records relating to Prop. 47; DPSS also offers expungement services for other eligible criminal records for individuals participating in the GAIN/GROW programs
Community Health Workers provide case management and service navigation to improve the health and well-being of justice-involved individuals, services include social services, physical and mental health, housing support, employment and education, cognitive behavioral interventions, arts and entrepreneurship programming, and substance use disorder treatment.
Developed and funded by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the SHLAC program provides information and resources to litigants that are representing themselves in court without the help of an attorney.
Immigration Legal Resources
Visit the “Getting the Right Help” section on our Immigration Fraud page for detailed information on finding authorized immigration legal service providers.
A private attorney referral service to help connect you to licensed attorneys in immigration and other areas
A private attorney referral service to help connect you to licensed attorneys in immigration and other areas
Can assist legal service providers and Los Angeles County residents in assessing the immigration consequences of criminal convictions and evaluate whether post-conviction relief may help individuals to qualify for immigration benefits/relief.
Recognized list of nonprofit organizations that provide immigration services and can refer you to reputable immigration attorneys if they cannot accept your case
Verify if an attorney is licensed in California by checking the State Bar
The federal agency that that oversees immigration benefits in the United States such as family petitions and naturalization
USCIS tool to check case processing times
USCIS tool to track the status of an immigration application, petition or request
Business
Explain the process and assist businesses to register in the County’s vendor registration system to become potential County suppliers
Sidewalk vending is legal in LA County, thanks to SB 946. Kickstart and/or stay compliant with regulations today!
Kickstart a new business, register your business, support local shops and entrepreneurs, and explore and grow your business through webinars and workshops. Remain up to date with the latest funding opportunities to support local entrepreneurs in LA County.