Community Resources

CalFresh (Food Stamps)
You or someone you know may now quality for CalFresh. Contact our friendly CalFresh Outreach Department for assistance.
www.thefoodbankd.org/calfresh
or call: 831-662-0991. They are busy but not backlogged and are proud to report that they are keeping up with applications.
Resources for Families
If your student is eligible for Free and Reduced Price lunches, you may also be eligible for the following programs:Santa Cruz County Resources
  • Call 211 for help finding all kinds of resources. See this flyer (second page is in Spanish) for more information.
  • Student Support Services Resource Directory
    Resource directory to help you identify and connect with available community resources that exist to meet the needs of all children from birth to college. This resource guide allows anyone - administrators, students, and families - to connect with the resources available in Santa Cruz County so that students can take full advantage of learning opportunities.
Health Insurance Options
  • Make sure you and your students have health insurance. If you don't have insurance through work, go to www.coveredca.com to explore all your options.
  • If you qualify for Medi-Cal (health insurance for people with limited income), you can apply through Covered CA (above) or directly: Ways to Apply to Medi-Cal. You can apply in person, online, or by mail, and applications are available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.
Need help buying groceries? Apply for CalFresh
Studies suggest that household hunger negatively impacts the intellectual, physical, and emotional development of children and puts them at greater risks for obesity, diabetes, and other diseases. Research also indicates the affects of food insecurity follow children into the classroom, often resulting in poor academic performance.
Click, Call or Come In… www.GetCalFresh.org, 1-888-421-8080,
or 1020 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz and 18 W. Beach Street, Watsonville CA 95076
​Who qualifies?
• Families with children, single adults, couples, and students, if they meet income and residence requirements.
Help you can count on:
• CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase food from participating grocery stores and farmers markets.
• Any money left on your EBT card at the end of the month rolls over for use the following month.
Be sure to visit Human Services Department website for a calendar of events
Cook together. Eat together. Talk together. Make mealtime a family time.

​CPR For Parents Financial Literacy for Parents
​Get Free Money from the Government
Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
 
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
Wireless Internet Options
​These are two wireless ISP companies that may be able to provide coverage to your house if you live in some of the more remote areas of Santa Cruz County's north coast. Pacific Elementary does not endorse these or any other companies; rather we are just trying to make sure that all students can access their online schooling options. 
Ridge Wireless: https://www.ridgewireless.net/
Coastside: https://www.coastside.net/