CalWORKs

CalWORKs

Woman on the floor playing with a toy with a toddler boy

Who qualifies for this program?

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

  • Families that have a child(ren) in the home who is deprived due to:
    • Absence,
    • Unemployment,
    • Disability, or
    • Death of either parent.
  • Needy caretaker relatives of a foster child(ren).

Where to get help

There are welfare offices located throughout the county (see other side for list). Needy families may apply for CalWORKs at any office located in the county where they live.

Families requesting assistance must complete application forms. The family can ask for immediate help if it has little or no cash and needs emergency housing, food, utilities, clothing, or medical care.

What is CalWORKS?

CalWORKS is a Human services program that gives cash aid and service to eligible needy California families. The program serve all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments.

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.

What are the requirements?

  • Families applying for CalWORKs must provide proof of:
    • Income,
    • Property,
    • Citizenship status,
    • Age,
    • Social Security Number,
    • Residence,
    • Shelter costs,
    • Work or School status, and
    • Other information.
  • Adult family members must also be finger-printed and photo imaged.

Transitional Assistance

CalWORKs

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

Who qualifies?

Generally, services are available to families that have a child or children in the home who is deprived due to:

Woman embracing a child whose head is in her lap
  • Absence
  • Disability
  • Unemployment
  • Death of either parent
Social security cards

What are the requirements?

Families applying for CalWORKs must provide proof of:

  • Income
  • Social Security Number
  • Property
  • Residence
  • Citizenship status
  • Shelter costs
  • Age
  • Work or school status

Other information may also be needed. Adult family members must also be fingerprinted and photo imaged.

Where to get help

There are welfare offices located throughout the county (see other side for list). Needy families may apply for CalWORKs at any office located in the county where they live.

Families requesting assistance must complete application forms. The family can ask for immediate help if it has little or no cash and needs emergency housing, food, utilities, clothing, or medical care.