Transportation Assistance for Single Mothers in California

Contents

Where to start

Quick reference

Medi-Cal transportation for health care

Medi-Cal can help members reach covered medical, dental, mental health, substance-use, pharmacy, and medical-supply services. The Medi-Cal Help Center describes two main ride types.

Non-Medical Transportation

Non-Medical Transportation, or NMT, is for a member who can travel by car, taxi, rideshare, bus, train, or another regular vehicle but has no other way to reach a covered service. NMT does not require a medical prescription. Tell the health plan that no working ride is available.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, or NEMT, is for a member whose medical or physical condition prevents regular transportation. It can include a wheelchair van, litter van, ambulance, or another medically appropriate vehicle. A licensed provider must prescribe the needed level of transportation.

Request a ride as soon as you know the appointment date. The official transportation FAQ recommends asking at least five business days before the appointment when possible. One assistant, such as a parent or guardian, may accompany the member on an NMT trip.

Managed-care members should call their plan. Fee-for-service members should contact the medical provider or county office and follow DHCS instructions. Fee-for-service members may also have a reimbursement process for approved mileage, public transit, parking, ferries, taxis, or certain tolls. Ask for the form and approval rules before paying when possible.

The California health guide can help if the larger problem is Medi-Cal enrollment or coverage.

Transportation for work and training

CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work

Transportation needed for a CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work plan is a supportive service. California changed these rules in 2026. The CalWORKs reform page says counties must move from repayment after the trip to advance payment of expected transportation costs.

Help may include bus passes, vanpools, rideshare, mileage or gas, parking, tolls, vehicle registration, car repairs, or another necessary vehicle-ownership cost. It may also cover transportation for children when that ride is needed so the parent can complete an approved activity and another program is not already paying.

Ask before orientation, assessment, class, job search, work experience, or another required activity. Explain that you cannot use personal money first. Request the transportation plan and amount in writing. If the county denies or limits the request, ask for a Notice of Action.

Apply for or manage CalWORKs through BenefitsCal. The California CalWORKs guide covers cash aid and Welfare-to-Work steps.

CalFresh Employment and Training

CalFresh Employment and Training programs may provide transportation or other participant support connected to an approved activity. The state CalFresh E&T page explains that services are planned and operated locally. Not every county or provider offers the same help.

Ask whether your county has an E&T provider, what transportation costs can be paid, and whether approval is required before the trip. The California CalFresh guide covers food-benefit steps.

America’s Job Center

An America’s Job Center of California offers no-cost job search and training help. Some local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plans can provide supportive services, including transportation, when the cost is needed for an approved employment plan and cannot be paid another way.

Use the AJCC job center page to find local services. Ask about bus passes, mileage, training travel, work clothing, child care referrals, and other barriers. The California child care guide may help when transportation and care hours are connected.

Free and reduced transit programs

California does not run one statewide low-income pass for every bus and train. Local transit agencies set their own applications, cards, service areas, and renewal rules.

Cal-ITP Benefits also lets riders at participating agencies verify eligibility for reduced fares, including some riders who receive CalFresh. Check the Cal-ITP agency list because the program is not yet available on every system.

Search your transit agency for “low-income fare,” “youth fare,” “student pass,” “reduced fare,” “fare capping,” or “paratransit.” Use the California community guide for local organizations that may help with passes or one-time rides.

Transportation for children and students

Unstable housing or homelessness

A child may qualify for McKinney-Vento support when the family is in a shelter, motel, car, campground, doubled-up home, or another temporary place because regular housing was lost. Ask the school for its homeless liaison.

The California Department of Education’s homeless education page explains these protections. At a parent’s request, a district may have to arrange transportation to and from the school of origin when staying there is in the student’s best interest. Ask in writing and explain how the current living situation affects attendance.

Special education transportation

Transportation can be a related special education service when a student needs it to receive an appropriate education. Ask the Individualized Education Program team to discuss the child’s needs, pickup location, vehicle type, supervision, equipment, travel time, and safety.

The state special education guidelines explain how IEP teams consider transportation. The California disability guide lists other school and disability help.

ADA paratransit and disability fares

Public transit agencies that run fixed bus or rail routes must provide complementary paratransit for eligible people who cannot use the fixed route because of a disability. Apply through the local transit agency, not through one statewide California office.

The agency may ask how the disability affects the practical ability to reach, board, ride, understand, or safely use regular service. A diagnosis alone does not decide eligibility. The Federal Transit Administration’s paratransit FAQ explains that a denied applicant must have an appeal process.

Ask about reduced fixed-route fares too. Some riders can use regular buses on good days and paratransit only when a disability-related condition prevents it.

Car repair, replacement, insurance, and ticket help

Smog repair assistance

The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s repair assistance program may help an income-eligible owner whose vehicle failed a biennial Smog Check. Current maximum assistance is up to $1,450 for model year 1996 or newer and up to $1,100 for model years 1976 through 1995. Approval and fiscal-year funding are required.

Vehicle retirement

The same Consumer Assistance Program may pay an approved owner to retire an operational vehicle. Current incentives can be $1,500 or $2,000 for income-eligible applicants and $1,350 for other approved applicants. Do not scrap or surrender the vehicle before written approval because the program does not reimburse an early retirement.

Cleaner vehicle programs

Clean Cars 4 All and the statewide Driving Clean Assistance Program help some lower-income drivers replace or obtain cleaner vehicles. Participating regions, vehicle rules, incentive amounts, and funding change. Some programs also offer an e-bike or public-transit option.

Lower-cost insurance

California Low Cost Auto offers basic liability insurance to qualifying income-eligible drivers. The applicant generally needs a valid California license, a qualifying driving record, and a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less. The policy does not provide collision or comprehensive coverage.

Traffic fines

If a ticket is making it hard to drive legally, do not ignore it. The California Courts MyCitations tool lets many people ask for a lower fine based on ability to pay. A court may also allow more time, a payment plan, or community service. Read the instructions before requesting a reduction because the request can involve entering a plea.

Local gas cards, bus passes, and volunteer rides

Small transportation programs are often run by counties, community action agencies, clinics, schools, shelters, churches, and nonprofits. They may offer a limited bus pass, gas card, mileage payment, volunteer driver, or help with a work-related repair.

Call 211 and use clear search terms: “gas card,” “bus pass,” “medical ride,” “work transportation,” “car repair,” “volunteer driver,” or “dial-a-ride.” Ask about the service area, appointment rules, required proof, and whether funds are available now.

The Community Action guide explains what local agencies may offer. The California housing guide can help when transportation problems are caused by displacement or unstable housing.

Documents and information to gather

Use the documents checklist to keep copies and deadlines together.