Note: Due to a high volume of referrals, there is currently an active waitlist to join this program as a youth participant. The Youth Service Corps team will reach out once the individual reaches the top of their waitlist.

The Youth Service Corps program allows nonprofit organization or local government agency employers to connect with eligible job applicants and expand their workforce while the program pays for training.

The program:

• Places trained interns that match the needs of employers
• Pays an intern’s wages for up to six months while employers provide role-specific training
• Provides interns with coaching and support for the duration of the internship
• Is open to both English only and Spanish only speakers

The Connecting Point Employment Services department offers the Youth Service Corps program. The program is focused on hiring youth ages 16-30 to work with local nonprofits or government agencies in the areas of public service, food insecurity, and climate action.

Web pages

• Home (Youth Se…

United Way of Nevada County administers the Emergency Fund, which provides one-time financial assistance to Nevada and Sierra County residents experiencing a temporary and verifiable emergency that threatens their housing, health, or safety.

The fund is designed as a last resort to address unexpected crises where no other resources are available. It is not intended for ongoing needs or chronic financial hardship.

Services include:

• One-time financial support for emergency needs affecting housing, health, or safety
• Assistance with costs such as rental deposits, urgent vehicle repairs, or appliance replacement
• Payment support for unusually high utility bills

Additional notes:

Applications are submitted online.

Rental assistance is for security deposit assistance only; this program does not provide rent payment assistance for people already living in their rental.

Web pages

• Home - https://uwnc.org/
• Emergency Fund - https://uwnc.org/emergency-fund
• Application - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp…

The Nevada County Department of Social Services provides drop-in benefits information and application assistance provided by the Navigator team. Stop by if you need help enrolling in, or renewing your participation in, benefits programs such as

• Cash Assistance - CalWORKs & more
• Food Assistance - CalFresh
• Healthcare - Medi-Cal
• Housing
• In-Home Supportive Services
• Veterans Services

While these resources are always available to the public, having them all together during the Services Drop-In allows you to learn, at the same meeting, such things as what kind of support is available for seniors, how you can proceed with child support, and which doctors take your insurance. These are drop-in services and no appointment is necessary.

Social Services Drop-In days and locations

• Grass Valley Library, 207 Mill St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, 530-273-4117
  • First Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm
• Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959, 530-265-7050
  • First Wednesdays, 10am-12pm

Web pages

• Home -…

The Native TANF Program provides financial assistance and supportive services to eligible Native American families with children.

Services include:

• Cash assistance
• Employment, education, and training support
• Childcare and family stability services

Web pages

• Home - https://washoetribe.us/

MyFreeTaxes.org helps people file their federal and state taxes for free while getting the assistance they need.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.myfreetaxes.org/

The IRS offers information about many topics such as:

• Interactive Tax Assistant

• Tools
  

• Report phishing
  

• Tax scams
  

• Identity theft
  

• Notices and letters
  

• Appeals
  

• Frequently asked questions
  

• Accessibility
  

• Contact your local IRS office
  

• Contact an international IRS office
  

• Tax topics
  

• Other languages

Phone numbers:
Individuals
800-829-1040
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time

Businesses
800-829-4933
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time

Non-profit taxes
877-829-5500
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time Estate and gift taxes (Form 706/709)866-699-40838 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time Excise taxes866-699-40968 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Callers who are hearing impairedTTY/TDD 800-829-4059

Web pages

• Home - https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance

Need Help Paying Bills has resources for finding financial assistance with bills, free items, housing, food, and emergency or long term help for basic needs. There are local agencies as well as state and national organizations, including charities, non-profit agencies, and government social services. Find info about rent or utility bill assistance, food pantries, mortgage payment help, free health or dental clinics, and more. There is also information on financial services offered directly to consumers from private companies such as utility companies and credit counselors.

Even if you do not find a direct service on the website, it can give you ideas of what to look for in your own state or community.

The information you find on Needhelppayingbills, all of which is free, may be able to help you and your family make it through a difficult period. Learn about financial assistance programs such as LIHEAP, Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), or eviction prevention. A number of services are…

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund offers disaster relief grants to eligible federal and postal employees who have been directly impacted by federally declared natural disasters. 

These one-time grants help cover basic needs and recovery costs when insurance or other aid is insufficient. 

Services include:

• One-time disaster relief grants up to $500
• Assistance with essential expenses such as:
  • Temporary lodging
  • Beds destroyed in a disaster
  • Major home repairs not covered by insurance
• Rapid response for eligible disaster events (presidentially declared)
• Online application with required documentation upload

Additional notes:

Grant availability depends on current funding. Applicants must provide proof of loss and documentation of disaster impact. Grants are not intended for indirect expenses or losses already covered by other sources.

Web pages

• Home - https://feea.org/
• Disaster Relief - https://feea.org/our-programs/disaster-relief/

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund offers interest-free loans to eligible federal employees experiencing short-term financial hardship due to qualifying personal emergencies. 

The program helps prevent cascading financial instability by providing fast, repayable support for emergency expenses such as rent, medical bills, or utilities.

Services include:

• Interest-free loans for short-term emergency expenses
• Assistance with rent, utilities, medical bills, and funeral costs
• Rapid application review and response (typically within 3 business days)
• Direct deposit of approved loan funds

Additional notes:

Emergency assistance is provided as a repayable loan, not a grant. Loans are typically repaid through payroll allotment or direct payments. Loan amounts vary based on need and situation.

Loans cannot be used for routine expenses such as credit card debt, school tuition, or federal income taxes. This program is not available to Postal Service employees or contractors.

Web …

The Department of Housing and Community Development administers State and Federal housing and community development loan and grant programs.

California Housing Finance Agency

CalHFA supports the needs of renters and homebuyers by providing financing and programs so more low and moderate-income Californians have a place to call home. Its Single-Family Division provides first mortgage loans and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers.

• The Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan is a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers to be used in conjunction with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage for down payment and/or closing costs. Upon sale or transfer of the home, the homebuyer repays the original down payment loan, plus a share of the appreciation in the value of the home.

Department of Fair Employment and Housing

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing is the largest state civil rights agency in the country. The Department investigates, mediates and p…