A Guide to CalWORKs Cash Assistance for Families

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for CalWORKs, you must meet several requirements related to your family situation, residency, income, and assets.

Family Requirements

You may be eligible for CalWORKs if:

• You have a child under 18 years old (or 19 if they're expected to graduate from high school before turning 19)
• You are pregnant (eligible in the last trimester if it's your only child)
• You are a caretaker relative of an eligible child (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.)
• The child is "deprived of parental support" due to:
  • Death of a parent
  • Absence of a parent (separation, divorce, incarceration, etc.)
  • Physical or mental incapacity of a parent
  • Unemployment or underemployment of the principal wage-earning parent

Residency and Citizenship Requirements

• You must be a resident of California
• At least one family member (usually the child) must be:
  • A U.S. citizen
  • A lawful permanent resident (LPR)
  • A qualified immigrant (refugee, asylee, etc.)
• Parents who don't meet citizenship/immigration requirements may apply for "child-only" benefits for their eligible children

Income Requirements

CalWORKs has several income tests that families must pass:

Net Income Test

After allowable deductions, your net monthly income must be below the CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) for your family size and region.

Income Deductions

When calculating your net income, CalWORKs allows several deductions:

• Earned Income Disregard: The first $225 of earned income plus 50% of the remainder
• Work-Related Expenses: Certain costs necessary for employment
• Child Care Costs: Payments for child care needed for work or training
• Disability-Based Income: State Disability Insurance and certain other disability payments

Asset/Resource Limits

Your family's resources must be below certain limits:

• Cash, bank accounts, and other liquid assets: $10,000 for one person, plus $500 for each additional family member (up to $20,000 maximum)
• Vehicles: One vehicle of any value is exempt. Additional vehicles are counted toward the resource limit only if they have equity value over $25,000

Resources that don't count toward the limit include:

• Your home (primary residence)
• Household goods and personal effects
• Tools needed for employment
• Restricted accounts for education or retirement
• Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

How to Apply for CalWORKs

You can apply for CalWORKs through several methods:

Online Application

• Visit BenefitsCal to apply online
• Create an account or log in if you already have one
• Complete the application with information about your household, income, and resources
• Upload any required verification documents
• Submit your application and note your confirmation number

In-Person Application

• Visit your local county welfare office
• Ask for a CalWORKs application
• Complete the application at the office or take it home and return it later
• Bring as many of the required documents as possible (ID, proof of income, etc.)
• Request a receipt showing the date you submitted your application

Phone Application

• Call your county welfare office to apply by phone
• Provide information to the eligibility worker over the phone
• You may need to sign and return forms that will be mailed to you

Mail or Fax Application

• Download an application form from your county's website or request one by phone
• Complete the application and gather copies of required documents
• Mail or fax the application to your county welfare office
• Follow up to confirm receipt of your application

Required Documents

You'll need to provide verification of various eligibility factors. Bring or submit as many of these documents as possible:

• Identity: Photo ID, driver's license, birth certificate, etc.
• Residency: Rent receipt, utility bill, statement from landlord, etc.
• Citizenship/Immigration Status: Birth certificate, passport, green card, etc.
• Income: Pay stubs, benefit award letters, self-employment records, etc.
• Resources: Bank statements, vehicle registration, property deeds, etc.
• Relationship to Children: Birth certificates, school records, court documents, etc.
• Child Support Cooperation: Information about absent parent(s)
• Pregnancy Verification: Medical documentation if applying based on pregnancy
• School Attendance: Proof of enrollment and attendance for school-aged children
• Immunization Records: For children under age 6

If you don't have all these documents, apply anyway. The county can help you obtain necessary verification.

Application Timeline

1. Application Submission: Day 1
2. Eligibility Interview: Usually within 7-10 days
3. Document Submission: As soon as possible, but you'll typically have at least 10 days to provide requested documents
4. Eligibility Determination: The county must make a decision within 45 days of your application
5. Benefit Issuance: If approved, benefits typically begin from the date of application

Expedited Processing

You may qualify for expedited processing (decision within 3 working days) if you have:

• Less than $100 in cash/bank accounts and less than $150 in monthly gross income
• Combined resources and monthly income less than your monthly rent/mortgage and utilities
• An emergency situation such as eviction, utility shut-off, or lack of food

Request expedited processing when you apply if your situation is urgent.

Welfare-to-Work Requirements

Most adult CalWORKs recipients must participate in Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities designed to help them find employment and become self-sufficient.

Required Participation

Non-exempt adults must participate in approved work activities for:

• Single-parent families: 30 hours per week
• Two-parent families: 35 hours per week combined between both parents

Approved Welfare-to-Work Activities

• Unsubsidized or subsidized employment
• Work experience (unpaid work to gain skills)
• On-the-job training
• Job search and job readiness assistance
• Vocational education (limited to 12 months)
• Job skills training directly related to employment
• Education directly related to employment
• Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or GED program
• Providing childcare services to community service program participants
• Mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence services when needed

Exemptions from Welfare-to-Work

You may be exempt from WTW requirements if you:

• Are under 16 or over 60 years old
• Are disabled or caring for an ill or incapacitated household member
• Are pregnant and a doctor states you can't work
• Are caring for a child under 24 months old (one-time exemption)
• Are caring for a child under 6 months old (may be extended to 12 months)
• Are a full-time volunteer in the AmeriCorps VISTA program
• Would have to travel more than 2 hours round trip to the nearest available child care
• Qualify for other exemptions determined by the county

You must request an exemption and provide verification to support your request.

Supportive Services

To help you participate in WTW activities, CalWORKs provides:

• Child Care: Subsidized child care while you work or participate in WTW activities
• Transportation: Bus passes, mileage reimbursement, or other transportation assistance
• Work-Related Expenses: Help with costs for uniforms, tools, books, etc.
• Ancillary Services: Assistance with costs related to participation, such as testing fees or licensing costs

Request these services through your Welfare-to-Work case manager.

Reporting Requirements

To maintain eligibility, you must report certain changes in your situation:

Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR)

• Most CalWORKs recipients use semi-annual reporting
• Complete and submit a SAR-7 report every six months
• Report income, household composition, and property changes
• Submit the SAR-7 by the 5th day of your reporting month

Mandatory Mid-Period Reports

Even between SAR-7 reports, you must report these changes within 10 days:

• Income exceeds the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) listed on your approval notice
• Address changes
• Fleeing felon status or violation of probation/parole
• Convicted drug felons who violate their probation or parole

Annual Redetermination

Once a year, you'll complete a comprehensive review of your eligibility:

• Complete a redetermination packet
• Participate in a redetermination interview
• Provide updated verification of eligibility factors

Special Programs within CalWORKs

Family Stabilization Program

Intensive case management and services for families experiencing crises such as:

• Homelessness or housing instability
• Domestic violence
• Mental health issues
• Substance abuse problems
• Child welfare involvement

Housing Support Program

Assistance for homeless CalWORKs families, including:

• Temporary shelter
• Help finding permanent housing
• Rental assistance and deposits
• Move-in costs and essential furnishings
• Housing stability services

Home Visiting Program

Voluntary home visiting services for pregnant women and families with children under 24 months, offering:

• Parenting guidance and support
• Health and development screening
• Connections to community resources
• Domestic violence and mental health services

Leaving CalWORKs

Transitional Benefits

When you leave CalWORKs due to increased earnings, you may be eligible for:

• Transitional Medi-Cal: Up to 12 months of continued Medi-Cal coverage
• Transitional CalFresh: Continued food benefits for 5 months without reporting changes
• Transitional Child Care: Up to 24 months of child care assistance after leaving CalWORKs

Resources for Self-Sufficiency

As you transition off CalWORKs, consider these resources:

• Job retention services through your county
• Career advancement opportunities through America's Job Centers of California
• Educational programs at community colleges
• Financial coaching and asset-building programs
• Subsidized health insurance through Covered California if you no longer qualify for Medi-Cal

County-Specific Information

CalWORKs implementation can vary by county. Contact your local county welfare office for specific information about:

• Local application procedures
• Available Welfare-to-Work activities
• Special programs and services
• Local resource referrals

Find your county's contact information on the CDSS County Offices page.