Stories from the team

How to Claim the Child Tax Credit in California (Plus State Credits You Can Stack)

How to claim the Child Tax Credit: what to file, how Schedule 8812 works, and where to get free help.

How to Claim the EITC in California (and the CalEITC on Top)

California Earned Income Tax Credit: how to claim both CalEITC and the federal EITC in one tax season.

How to Apply for CalWORKs in California (and What It Includes)

CalWORKs explained: how California's cash assistance program works, who qualifies, and what most families don't know to ask for.

How to Apply for TANF in Texas (and What the Cash Covers)

How to apply for Texas benefits: online, by phone, or in person — and what to bring before you start.

How to Apply for LIHEAP in Texas: Steps and Documents ​

How to apply for LIHEAP in Texas: call 2-1-1, find your local agency, and what to expect next.

How to Apply for LIHEAP in California (and What to Stack With It)

How LIHEAP pays your energy bill: what the benefit covers, how much you can get, and what else to apply for.

How to Apply for ACA Insurance in Texas (2026 Guide)

How to apply for ACA insurance in Texas in 2026: where to go, key deadlines, and what to do if you missed open enrollment.

How to Apply for Covered California Subsidies in 2026

How to apply for Covered California subsidies: where to sign up, what the process looks like, and how much you could save.

How to Apply for WIC in California (and What You Get)

How to apply for WIC in California: where to start, what to bring, and what you get after your appointment.

How to Apply for WIC in Texas and What You Get

How to apply for WIC in Texas: what to bring, what happens at your appointment, and what loads onto your card.

How to Apply for SNAP in Texas and Use Your Lone Star Card

What the Lone Star Card is, how long it takes, and why your start date matters.

How to Apply for CalFresh in California (and How Much You'll Get)

If you've already learned you qualify for CalFresh, the hard part you might be dreading is the application itself. Here's the good news up front: applying is more straightforward than the eligibility maze you just got through, and you can start today. CalFresh is California's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program most people still call food stamps. It's the same benefit, just a different label. Once you're approved, your monthly amount loads onto a G