We are currently OUT of both English & Spanish versions of the Peoples Guides.

Check back to see availability. You can still access the PDF version.

2020 Peoples Guide Now Available!

New rules, information, and programs including:

• The NEW State Rent Control law
• Real ID—who needs one and how do you get it?
• The latest information on DACA for immigrant youth
• How you can expunge convictions to help with job searches
• WIC is going to an EBT card system
• What are Blue Cars and how can you use them?
• Diaper banks

WHATS NEW IN 2020?

• Will I need a Real ID to apply for benefits? — pg 71
• What is the new state Rent Control law? — pg 5
• Will the DACA program be continued? — pg 62
• What families can get $1,000 at tax time if they have a child under 6? — pg 9
• Can I get help paying for health insurance? — pg 53
• Can people getting SSI now get CalFresh? — pg 30, 38
• Is the new WIC EBT card the same as CalFresh? — pg 43
• How can I get a job if I have a criminal record? — pg 10
• Can I rent a low-cost car in L.A.? — pg 59

Published in the late 1970s, the Peoples Guide has become the standard guidebook of public social services for people working in the field, people needing help, and those just helping their neighbors. (View the PDF version via links at the bottom of this page.)

All English and Spanish copies of the 2020 edition have been distributed. You can still access the PDF version via the links below (scroll down)

This 72–page newsprint booklet gives you all you need to know about applying for

• Financial assistance for individuals and families
• Unemployment benefits
• Job training
• Help for people in re-entry
• Dept. of Rehabilitation
• Child Care
• Foster Care
• Tax Rebates
• Social Security and SSI
• CalFresh
• Child Nutrition and WIC
• Help with Car Insurance and Smog Check Costs
• Low-Cost Phone Service and Utility Bill Assistance
• Housing (including assistance for Transitional Foster Youth)
• Phone Numbers for Legal Assistance

Ordering

The basic charge is $1.25 a copy. Individual orders of up to 2 books are free for low-income people.

Online Orders

The Peoples Guides to Welfare Health and Other Services can be ordered online using our store. We are out of English and Spanish versions for 2020. Please check back to see when they become available again. You can still access the PDF versions below.

Store: Peoples Guides

For Bulk Orders contact: [email protected] 
Include your name, address, and quantity of English and Spanish copies.

We ask that agencies purchase copies so we can pay for publication, translation, and mailing costs. Discounts of various types are available for large orders. contact [email protected]

View The Peoples Guide Here in PDF Format

Peoples Guide English (2020) PDF

Peoples Guide Spanish (2020) PDF

(To save a copy of the PDF, right-click and select 'save link as' or 'download linked file')