California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) is the maximum aid assistance and employment-focused program to help low-income Americans break the cycle of poverty. This program provides resources and economic stability to people whose income is below the state’s maximum limits.
CalWork is different from CalFresh when it comes to using funds. You can use CalWORKs cash to pay your utility bills, cover transportation costs and even buy nutritious food. But CalFresh (food stamps) is strictly for purchasing grocery items (chicken, eggs, etc.).
What is CalWORKs?
CalWORKs is a welfare program to support needy California families with cash and services. This program is available in all 58 counties of America from Los Angeles to San Francisco. So you can visit the department in your county in person.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) reports that almost 890,000 individuals applied in the CalWORKs program in 2022-23 and most of the recipients were children. People who get approved for the CalWORKs cash also qualify for Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits.
Who is Eligible for the CalWORKs program?
Here are basic eligibility requirements and you only qualify if you:
- Are a United States citizen
- An immigrant (green-card holder)
- Are pregnant
- Live in California (permanently)
- Are a child under 6 whose parents are disabled/ died
- Are the main supporter of the family but unemployed
- Works less than 100 hours per month
- Don’t receive the Supplemental Security Income (Per State Law)
You are not eligible even if you have property or resources that exceed the state limit. It includes having cash of more than $12,137 in a bank or as savings. But $18,206 is the exception if you have a 60-year-old or older member at home. Property that can be sold apart from the home you are living in and the car you are using also counts to see if you qualify.
CalWORKs does not include your personal furniture, shared property and gifted vehicles for the eligibility check.
Note: The CalWORKs program is only to support families below the poverty line. So only apply if you are eligible otherwise it’s fraud and leads to immediate rejection.
What are the Work Requirements for CalWORKs Cash Aid?
You have to participate in Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities to receive the CalWORKs cash aid. WTW activities include education, searching for a job and community services.
The WTW time limit is 30 hours per week for single adults and 35 hours for parents. There is an exemption for single parents with a child under 6. They only have to work for 20 hours per week. These work requirements do not imply on disabled, the elderly (>60) and children under 16 years of age. Moreover, this rule isn’t valid for a single mother who takes care of a one year old child or an ill person.
CalWORKs Payment Standards
Here are the CalWORKs payment standards (10/01/2024) for exempt and non-exempt families.
| Family Size | Current MAP (Exempt) | Current MAP (Non-Exempt) |
| 1 | $809 | $734 |
| 2 | $1,039 | $930 |
| 3 | $1,314 | $1,175 |
| 4 | $1,579 | $1,416 |
| 5 | $1,850 | $1,659 |
| 6 | $2,123 | $1,902 |
| 7 | $2,395 | $2,145 |
| 8 | $2,669 | $2,389 |
| 9 | $2,939 | $2,631 |
| 10 or more | $3,215 | $2,876 |
What are the CalWORKs Employment Services?
CalWROKs also offers employment services for the economic stability of needy families. These services include:
- A teen parent program, Cal-Learn
- Homeless assistance for families with minor children
- Child Care
- Family preservation program assistance
- Specialized supportive services for domestic violence, mental health issues and substance disorders.
You are not eligible for cash assistance once your income exceeds the allowed amount to receive CalWORK funds. But you can still get CalFresh, child transportation, child care and Medi-Cal benefits.
What is the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program?
CalWORK housing support program is for families who are about to lose their home or don’t have one. This program has two types:
- Temporary Help: Temporary help is for an emergency situation where families have to live only for a short period. CalWORKS pays for up to 16 days in one year. It means you can stay in the hotel every 12 months for a consistent 16 days or in quarters.
- Permanent Help: This support program protects families from eviction or helps them rent a home. CalWORK team clears all the dues, pays the current month’s rent and deposits the security fee.
What is the Limit & Duration for CalWORKs Aid?
The CalWORKs Aid assistance program offers financial support for a maximum of 60 months (5 years). This duration is only 24 months in some counties so check before you apply. There is no fixed amount for CalWORK aid as the MAP (maximum aid payment) depends on your family’s income and size.
Document Required for CalWORKs program
Collect all of these documents to apply for the CalWORKs program:
- Identification (Passport/birth certificate or driving license)
- Utility bills as proof of residence
- Income proof (receipts or a letter from the employer)
- Property assets and resources (property deed, vehicle registration)
- Immunization records for a child under 6
- Doctor’s statement in case of disability
- A sworn statement or a letter from the Office on Trafficking Persons
Make sure to attach the original documents and verify before you hit submit.
How to Apply For CalWORKs?
There are three ways to apply for the CalWORKs program. You can visit your county’s office in person or call at Call (866) 613-3777 for free assistance. But the easiest way is to submit your application at BenefitsCal.com. It takes only 20 to 30 minutes and you can apply while sitting at home. The CalWORKs team calls you to confirm if you have applied once you submit the application.
What Happens After You Apply?
Keep track of the application and wait for the interview call. The CalWORKS team calls from an unknown number to schedule an in-person interview. You have to sign a few documents and answer their questions in this meeting. The team assesses your eligibility for the cash aid. So don’t panic and be real.
Do you have to Pay Back Cash Aid in California?
No, you don’t have to pay back the CalWORKs cash aid back. The government only offers these funds to increase resilience and economic stability. But you have to follow the welfare-to-work requirements during this period.
Conclusion
CalWORKs cash assistance is a temporary program to help you gain stability and manage expenses. This program allows you to spend money on transportation, diapers, or food unlike CalFresh (food stamps). It lasts for 5 years but you can get health benefits even afterwards.
WTW is a must for everyone except those with exemptions that are listed above. The government refunds the amount if you stay inactive for more than 9 months. Use the funds for the approved purposes and do not buy alcohol or entertaining stuff from it.
Contact your county’s office for assistance.
FAQS
Does CalWORKs in San Diego, CA support Child Care?
Yes, CalWORKs offers childcare to children until 12 years of age. This age limit has been increased up to 21 for children with special needs (disabled or ill). You can contact the Child Care Resource & Referral (R&R) or APP for child care services.
How do I apply for CalWORKs in Los Angeles County?
The quickest and best way to apply for CalWORKs in Los Angeles County is BenefitsCal.com. You can also apply via phone call or by visiting your county’s department.
How Fast Can I Get CALWORKs Cash in California?
You can receive the CalWORKs cash assistance in one day through immediate need (IN). IN is for emergency situations where you don’t have cash even for food. The standard application process usually takes 45 working days.
What disqualifies form CalWORKs program?
Your application gets rejected if you try to commit fraud or exceed the income limit. Apart from this, late submissions and inaccurate documents also lead to disqualification.
