CalWORKs

CalWORKs Program

What is CalWORKs?

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program is the State implementation of the Federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. It provides time-limited cash assistance to families with children. CalWORKs recipients are automatically eligible for Medi-Cal, and may qualify for CalFresh benefits. Adults in the program are required to participate in a work activity unless determined exempt.

If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses.

The amount of a family’s monthly assistance payment depends on a number of factors, including the number of people who are eligible and the special needs of any of those family members. The income of the family is considered in calculating the amount of cash aid the family receives.

There are other programs and benefits, such as Homeless Assistance, for which a family may qualify by being on CalWORKs.

Specific eligibility requirements take into account an applicant’s citizenship, age, income, resources, and other factors. Generally, services are available to:

• Families that have an age eligible child(ren) in the home or are pregnant and deprived due to one or both parents:
  • Absence
  • Unemployment
  • Physical or mental incapacity
  • Death

What are some of the basic requirements?

• Resident in California and intend to stay.
• Provide verification of income.
• Have less than $10,888 in resources ($16,333 if 60 years or older).
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful immigrant status.
• Have Social Security Number verification or proof of application for all family members.
• All children ages 6 through 17 must be attending school. Eighteen year olds must be in high school or vocational-technical school full time and expect to complete school before the age of 19.
• Additional facts or verifications may be required.

How can I apply for CalWORKs?

• Needy families may apply for assistance online, via telephone, or by coming in to our office.  A face-to-face interview with an Eligibility Worker will then be required.
• The easiest and quickest way to apply for CalWORKs, CalFresh and/or Medi-Cal is online at BenefitsCal.

Renewing/Continuing CalWORKs Benefits

Once a customer starts to receive CalWORKs, the customer must keep the Eligibility Specialist (ES) informed about changes in order to:

• Ensure CalWORKs benefits are correct
• Make the ES aware of other needs that can be met through the CalWORKs program
• Make sure CalWORKs Notices of Action, and other correspondence are sent to the correct address

All CalWORKs recipients, with the exception of Annual Reporting Child Only (AR/CO) recipients, are required to submit a Semi-Annual Eligibility Status Report (SAR 7) once per year (due in the sixth month of the first semi-annual period) followed by the re-certification of eligibility in the sixth month of the second semi-annual period.

Your Eligibility Specialist will inform you if you are an AR/CO recipient and what the reporting requirements are for that program.