Grants for Women in LA

Are you a woman living in Los Angeles, California who is in need of some financial support? LA is not a cheap place to live and sometimes it can be hard to make ends meet. Further, maybe you need help to take the next step in your life whether it is continuing your education or starting a business. Here are some grant programs that can help.

Amber Grant for Women Entrepreneurs

The Amber Grant for women is a a grant program created by Womens Net. It awards a grant of $1,000 every month to a woman who applies. At the end of the year, an additional $10,000 grant is awarded to one of the twelve women who received $1,000 throughout the year. It is the grand prize.

To apply, you share your story with Amber Grant and pay a one-time fee of $15. Learn more here.

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program

If you are having trouble keeping up with your energy bills at your primary residence, the CARE program can help you save. If you qualify, you can receive a 20% discount on your monthly gas bill. You can also save $15 on your service establishment charge. See if you qualify here.

Head Start Child Care Programs

Are you pregnant or the mother of a young child? The Early Head Start program provides health, nutrition, social services, and early childhood education children 3 and under. Some services can even be provided in the home.

If your child is a bit older, (3 to 5), the Head Start program provides the same services as above but for older children. Learn more here.

CalWORKS Cash Assistance

This program is funded by the state and implemented by the LA County Department of Public Social Services. If you have children or are pregnant, you can apply with CalWORKS for cash assistance to help you cover the basic necessities.

Short-term assistance is available to cover expenses such as clothing, food, medical care, housing, etc. Long-term assistance is available to cover food, housing, and other necessary expenses. The amount you can get depends on how many people live in your household, your income, and other factors.

Services are generally available to families in which the head of household is unemployed or when a child has been deprived of care or support due to a parent being absent, disabled, or in jail. Find out more.

Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program

The WIC program provides food vouchers, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education to those who qualify. To be eligible, you must be pregnant or have a child under the age of 5. Learn more about this program on the California WIC website. .

CalFresh Program

This program helps low-income individuals who meet the federal requirements to receive money for food on an EBT card. You can use the card to buy most foods at many stores and markets. The goal is to help improve the well-being and health of the families and individuals who qualify. You can also use the EBT card to get into LA county’s museums for free! Learn more and apply for CalFresh here.

Medi-Cal Health Coverage

Do you or your family members need to visit the doctor but can’t afford it? Low-income California residents, and those receiving SSDI or SSI, can qualify for this program which pays for your medical expenses. Medi-Cal is part of the national program called Medicaid.

Cal Grants

Cal Grants provide aid to qualifying undergraduates, those in teacher certification programs, and vocational training students. To apply, complete the FAFSA or CADAA by October 1. You must apply by the filing deadline, meet the minimum GPA requirements, and have family assets and income below the minimum threshold, along with meeting the rest of the criteria. Learn more here.

If you don’t wualify for a Cal Grant, you can also look into a Middle Class Scholarship (MCS, which scholarships to qualifying students who have family assets and income up to $171,000. Learn about MCS.

There you have it, several programs that can provide support to women in Los Angeles. When times get tough, there are places you can turn for help. Whether you need to provide for your family, want to start a business. or want to get a college education, click on the links above to learn how it can be possible.