Our topic pages explain key public programs and policies shaping the lives of Californians. Each topic page provides clear definitions, context, and up-to-date Budget Center analysis so you can better understand how these programs work, who they impact, and why they matter for economic and racial equity across the state.
Whether you’re a policymaker, community partner, researcher, journalist, or Californian trying to make sense of complex systems, our topic pages help you:
- Understand what the program is and how it operates in California
- Explore the latest policy context and data related to the issue
- See how state budget and policy decisions affect people’s ability to meet basic needs such as food, housing, health care, and income security
Each topic page links to analysis, data, and stories that show both who benefits from these supports and where gaps or inequities remain.
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CalEITC
The California Earned Income Tax Credit, commonly known as the CalEITC, is a refundable tax credit that provides economic support to Californians with low incomes and helps individuals and families pay for basic needs like housing, food, and other necessities. Established in 2015, it complements the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and has expanded to …Poverty & Inequality -
CalFresh
CalFresh is California’s state version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides modest monthly assistance to Californians with low incomes to purchase food. Established in its modern form in 1977, CalFresh aims to fight hunger and keep Californians out of poverty, and it has expanded to provide food assistance to over 5 …Health & Safety Net -
CalWORKs
The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) is the state’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, established in 1997 following the federal program’s creation in 1996. CalWORKs is a monthly cash grant program designed to support children and families with low incomes. CalWORKs aims to address poverty for …Health & Safety Net -
Covid-19
Investing in the health, safety, and economic stability of a community must start long before a crisis. COVID-19 exposed how generations of exclusionary policies only worsened conditions for low-income households, Californians of color, immigrants, and women while the wealthy and corporations thrived. -
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program that provides free or low-cost health care to millions of Californians with low incomes. It is designed to provide access to essential health services that support public health and economic stability. Medicaid was established in 1965 as a state-federal partnership to offer coverage to people with low incomes, including children, …Health & Safety Net -
SSI/SSP
The Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment programs, or SSI/SSP for short, provide income support for eligible individuals in the form of cash assistance. Established in 1974, the programs help older adults with low incomes and people with disabilities pay for housing and other necessities. Who is eligible for SSI/SSP? Eligible Californians are low-income adults who …Health & Safety Net
