CASH SJC: Monthly Cash for Seniors
A new program from the Housing Authority of San Joaquin County and GiveDirectly
If you are 60 or older and on the Housing Authority wait list, you may be able to get $1,000 a month for 12 months.
The money is yours. There are no rules about how you spend it.
Applying is free. Applying will not change your place on the housing wait list.
You can also call us at 1 (866) 480-2769.
What is CASH SJC?
CASH SJC stands for Cash Assistance for Senior Housing in San Joaquin County.
The Housing Authority of San Joaquin County has partnered with a nonprofit called GiveDirectly. Together, we are giving monthly cash payments to seniors in our county. The State of California pays for this program.
If you are chosen, you will get $1,000 each month for 12 months. The money goes straight to you. You can use it for rent, food, medicine, bills, or anything else you need.
There are no strings attached. You do not have to pay this money back, and you do not have to report how you spent it.
Can I apply?
You can apply if all of these are true:
- You are 60 years old or older
- You live in San Joaquin County
- You are on the Housing Authority wait list
- Your household income is at or below the limits shown below
- You are not getting money from another guaranteed income program right now
Income limits: CASH SJC uses the same income limits as HACSJ’s other housing programs. You can view the current limits on the HACSJ Income Limits page.
Not sure whether you qualify? Apply anyway, or call us at 1 (866) 480-2769 and we will help you find out.
Already on benefits? If you get CalFresh, SSI, CalWORKs, or another public benefit, you do not need to send us proof of your income. Being on those programs is enough.
Important Dates
| What happens | When |
| Applications open | Monday, August 24, 2026 |
| Applications close | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 |
| We tell you if you were chosen | Wednesday, December 9, 2026 |
| First payment | Wednesday, January 20, 2027 |
Please apply before November 18, 2026. We cannot accept late applications.
How do I apply?
There are three ways to apply. All of them are free.
- Online: Fill out the form yourself on any computer, tablet, or phone at cashsjc.aidkit.org/apply.
- By phone: Call us at 1 (866) 480-2769 and someone will fill out the form with you over the phone.
- With help: Book a free session here and we will walk you through it.
You will need to show:
- Proof of who you are (like a driver’s license or state ID)
- Proof that you live in San Joaquin County (like a utility bill)
- Proof of your income — only if you are not on a public benefit program
If you do not have these papers, please still apply. Call us and we will work with you.
How are people chosen?
More people will apply than we have spots for. So we choose at random, like a lottery.
Everyone who applies and qualifies has a fair and equal chance. It does not matter when you apply, as long as you apply before November 18.
Applying early does not help your chances. But applying early gives us more time to help you if something is missing.
If you are not chosen, you may be placed on a back-up list for CASH SJC. This back-up list is separate from the housing wait list. Being on it does not change your place on the housing wait list.
Beware of Scams
CASH SJC is a real program from the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin and GiveDirectly. To protect yourself:
- We will never ask you to pay money to apply or to be chosen
- We will never ask for your bank password or your PIN
- Official emails come only from givedirectly.org or hacsj.org
- If someone contacts you about CASH SJC and you are not sure it is really us, hang up and call 1 (866) 480-2769, or call HACSJ at (209) 460-5000
Questions people ask us
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applying is free. Nobody should ever ask you for money to apply. If someone does, please call us at 1 (866) 480-2769.
What happens after I apply?
We will look at your application. We may call, text, email, or write to you to ask a question or ask for a document. Please watch for messages from us between September and early December. If we ask you for something and do not hear back, we may not be able to move your application forward. We will tell you if you were chosen on December 9, 2026.
How will I get the money?
If you are chosen, you can get your money on a debit card that we give you, or by direct deposit into your bank account. You do not need a bank account to take part.
Will this change my place on the housing wait list?
No. Applying will not move you up or down on the wait list. Whether you are chosen or not, your spot stays the same.
Can someone help me apply?
Yes. A family member, friend, caregiver, or someone from a community organization can help you fill out the application. The payments will still go to you.
What if I have a disability or trouble reading the application?
The online application is built to help. You can have the questions read out loud to you. It works with screen readers, and you can use just your keyboard if you cannot use a mouse. The text and colors are made easy to see. If you need help a different way, call us at 1 (866) 480-2769 and we will find a way that works for you.
How do I know this is real and not a scam?
This is a real program from the Housing Authority of San Joaquin County and GiveDirectly.
We will never ask you for money. We will never ask for your bank password or your PIN.
If we call you about your application, you can always hang up and call us back at 1 (866) 480-2769 to make sure it is really us. You can also call the Housing Authority at (209) 460-5000 to check.
What if I don’t have a computer or the internet?
That is okay. Call us at 1 (866) 480-2769 and we will help you apply over the phone.
What if I can’t leave my home?
Call us at 1 (866) 480-2769. We will find a way to help you apply.
Do I have to pay taxes on this money?
No. This money is a gift, not pay for work. The IRS does not treat gifts like this as taxable income. If you are chosen, we will send you a letter that explains this. Keep this letter. You can show it to the IRS, a tax preparer, or anyone who asks about the money.
Have other questions? We’re here to help.
Phone: 1 (866) 480-2769
Hours: M-Th, 8 AM – 12 PM
Email: cashsjc@givedirectly.org
We can help you in English and Spanish.
CASH SJC is a partnership between the Housing Authority of San Joaquin County and GiveDirectly. This program is funded by the California Department of Social Services.