The phrase “public benefits” encompasses a wide variety of government programs that provide financial and other assistance to the public. Commonly used benefit programs include Social Security, disability, unemployment insurance, housing assistance (“Section 8”), and workers’ compensation. Each program is run by a different government agency, and has its own requirements, forms, and procedures.
Community Resources



Forms
Most public benefit agencies have forms on their websites. Find their websites using these directories.
Form Resources
CalFresh (food stamps), CalWORKs (family assistance), Foster Care, General Assistance, Health Insurance, Transitional Housing, and more.
Research Guides
The Law Librarians have created these research guides as an aid for those starting a legal research project. These guides recommend print and electronic resources that will help you find answers to your law-related questions. Many guides provide step-by-step information, as well as sample forms, for common legal procedures.