California Divide

Critics have long argued that California's child support payback system for families using public assistance is overly punitive, disproportionately affects low-income people, and can drive a wedge between children and their parents. Now, two bills on Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk could change the system.

Nonprofits distribute 80 million pounds of food in Los Angeles County per year, helping low-income people survive. 

a looming change in what is known as the "public charge" rule is sowing confusion and fear within the immigrant community, causing many people to abandon programs they need for fear of retaliation from immigration authorities

Pressure is increasing on counties to sign up more people for food stamps in a state with one of the nation’s lowest participation rates. But greater enrollment may require more money or more state intervention.

The biggest federal housing program for low-income renters is failing to help many Californians because there aren’t enough landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers for rent. State lawmakers are considering two solutions, a carrot and a stick.

Farmworker families worried about immigration raids get food and household goods from a clandestine food bank.

New Trump administration rules would deny green cards to immigrants on public assistance. It's an idea California knows well.

A decades-old program provides those moving in and out of homelessness with a free mailing address—a small but vital service. Not having an address can mean missing out on welfare checks, Social Security payments, veteran's benefits, school communications, affordable housing updates and letters from friends and family.

A Trump administration proposal would cut food stamps to 3.1 million Americans—largely working families with high housing, childcare and medical costs. That could hit hard in California, a state where both the cost of living and the minimum wage are on the rise.

California, which has the nation's highest poverty rate, ranks near the bottom for participation in its food stamp program, CalFresh.