Families eligible to the CalWORKs Temporary Assistance program must have minor children in the home who lack the necessary support because of the absence, disability, death or unemployment of one or both parents. In addition to parents, relatives (such as grandparents) who are caring for minor children may also be eligible. A pregnant woman with no other children might also qualify for CalWORKs benefits.

Buying or owning a home in which the family is living does not make a family ineligible.  The value of the home is not considered in the eligibility determination.  Families who own a car or several cars may also be eligible depending on their value.  Some legal immigrants may be eligible if they meet certain immigration requirements.

Because of the complexity of the CalWORKs program, an application must be completed and reviewed by the county before a decision of eligibility can be made. More detailed information about the eligibility requirement for CalWORKs is found at : Rights, Responsibilities and Other Important Information. 

Applying for CalWORKs requires a visit to a local office (DPSS Office Locations) of the Department of Public Social Services.  Most applicants are required to attend a three-hour workshop and to participate in a face-to-face interview with an eligibility technician (ET) who will review completed documents and explain program requirements.  An appointment is then made for a return visit to provide all paperwork requested by the ET. 

The application process can be lengthy, requiring several hours over several days.  However, if there is an urgent situation, such as eviction, utility shut-off, medical emergency or lack of food, the process may be faster.  Be sure to tell the ET if any of these emergencies are affecting the family.  Proof of these situations may be required so bringing them at the first visit will prevent additional delays.

The county will ask for proof of:

• Income
• Value of real and personal property
• Citizenship status
• Age of children
• Social Security Number
• Residence in California
• Work
• School attendance status (including school age children)
• Immunizations for children under the age of six

This information may be requested for all people in the home.  Also, adult family members will be fingerprinted and photographed.

To speed the application process, bring the following items when making application:

• Identification such as Driver’s License or Identification Card for each parent or caretaker in the home
• Social Security cards for every family member for whom aid is requested
• Birth certificates for every family member in the home
• Immunization records for every child under the age of six years for whom aid is requested
• Registrations for each car owned, co-owned or being bought or leased
• Ownership papers for land and/or buildings owned, co-owned or being bought
• Receipts or bills of sale for any recreational vehicles such as boats, trailers, motor homes, etc.
• Proof of the value of mutual funds, stocks, bonds, trust funds or cash surrender value of life insurance policies
• Proof of citizenship or immigrant status such as a birth certificate or document from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing legal resident status.
• Proof of earned and unearned income such as pay stubs and award letters for unemployment benefits, Social Security income, Veteran’s payments, and school grants or loans

The goal of the CalWORKs Temporary Assistance program is to provide cash aid to meet basic needs while a family moves from welfare to self-sufficiency through employment.  Benefits do not stop simply because a family member becomes employed. 

Usually the amount of cash aid goes down as a family’s income increases.  However, earned income is not counted dollar for dollar against the CalWORKs maximum aid payment. Certain earned income deductions are allowed that reduce the income used to calculate the cash aid amount to less than half the gross amount. 

Some income, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is never used, while all of other income such as Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) is counted.  Student grants and loans are usually not used but some Veteran’s Administration (VA) school grants are counted minus the costs of books and tuition.

CalWORKs can help with the cost of child care while the parent(s) work, look for work, or participate in other approved employment activities.  For more information, click here. 

The parent(s) or relative caring for a child receiving CalWORKs Temporary Assistance is required to complete a Quarterly Eligibility/Status Report (QR7) every three months.  The information on this report helps to determine continued eligibility to CalWORKs and the amount of the monthly cash aid.  The report has questions about the family’s income, property, people moving into or out of the home, and other changes that occur in the household.  To view this report, click here. 

These reporting requirements are explained in more detail during the CalWORKs application process.

Eligible CalWORKs families qualify for Medi-Cal and most can get Food Stamps. When you apply for CalWORKs the application is also used to determine eligibility to both additional programs. The Food Stamp program is intended as a supplement to the household budget to help the family meet their food needs. Medi-Cal will pay for most of the family’s health care costs unless there is other medical coverage. The family can decline food stamps if they don’t want or need the help.

For more information about food stamps, click here. 

Employment Services known as CalWORKs Greater Avenues to Independence (GAIN) are available to help family  members acquire the skills needed to obtain employment and advance in a career.  With some exceptions, able-bodied adults who receive CalWORKs Temporary Assistance must participate in employment activities.  Details are provided during the application process.  (GAIN and ICCM )

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) provides cash aid to certain refugees who are not eligible for CalWORKs or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  (RCA web site)

Family planning information is available to family members when requested.  This information includes methods for planning family size, deciding when to have children, and how to prevent unwanted pregnancies.  http://www.birthcontrol4u.com/

Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) provides regular and preventative medical doctor visits for members of a CalWORKs family under the age of 21. 

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/chdp/default.htm

Other Services are available to members of a CalWORKs family who need help with drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence, or mental health issues.  Most of these services are available in the CalWORKs office as well as in clinics and outreach centers across the county.

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