CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) is a state program providing cash assistance, employment services, and support to low-income families with children. It aims to help parents achieve self-sufficiency through job training, education, and childcare. Benefits are time-limited, encouraging recipients to secure stable employment.
Helps families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Provides rental assistance and case management to find and keep stable housing.
Welfare-to-Work Program
Supports individuals in finding and keeping jobs.
Offers training, job search assistance, and services to achieve financial independence.
Family Stabilization Program (FSP)
Assists families facing emergencies or crises.
Provides tailored resources to address immediate needs and help them stabilize.
Child Care Assistance Program
Pays for childcare while parents work, study, or attend training.
Ensures children are cared for in safe and supportive environments.
Education and Training Program
Helps participants gain skills and education for better job opportunities.
Includes vocational training, adult education, and job readiness programs.
Mental Health & Substance
Provides therapy and treatment for mental health or substance abuse issues.
Helps participants overcome challenges to succeed in work and life.
Home Visiting Program (HVP)
Offers parenting support and education for families with young children.
Focuses on child development, health, and family well-being.
Cal-Learn Program
Supports teen parents on CalWORKs to finish high school.
Provides counseling, financial incentives, and childcare assistance.
Emergency Assistance Program
Provides urgent financial help for food, housing, or utility bills.
Aims to address immediate needs during unexpected crises.
Stage 1, 2, and 3 Childcare Programs
Supports childcare for parents transitioning from welfare to work.
Ensures reliable childcare options at different stages of employment.
Calworks Featurs
Cash Assistance
Provides financial support to low-income families to meet basic needs like food, housing, and utilities while working toward self-sufficiency.
Employment Services
Offers job training, placement, and career counseling to help parents find and maintain stable employment.
Child Care Assistance
Limits financial aid to a maximum of 48 months for adults, encouraging recipients to transition to independence within the timeframe.
Family Stabilization Services
Provides financial support to low-income families to meet basic needs like food, housing, and utilities while working toward self-sufficiency.
Education and Training Support
Helps parents access educational opportunities, including GED programs, vocational training, and college courses.
Time-Limited Benefits
Limits financial aid to a maximum of 48 months for adults, encouraging recipients to transition to independence within the timeframe.
Family Stabilization Services
Provides counseling, support, and crisis intervention to address challenges like homelessness, domestic violence, or substance abuse.
Health and Wellness Resources
Connects families to Medi-Cal and mental health services to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.
Housing Support
Assists families with finding stable housing, offering subsidies or referrals to housing programs.
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for CalWORKs
To qualify for CalWORKs, families must meet these rules:
For Parents or Caretakers:
Must be a U.S. citizen or meet residency requirements.
Must live in California.
Cannot be a fleeing felon or someone convicted of certain drug crimes.
Must take care of at least one child under 18 years old (or under 19 if the child is finishing high school before turning 19).
For Children:
Must have a parent who is unemployed, disabled, absent (not living with or helping care for the child), in jail, or has passed away.
Must have up-to-date immunizations if under 6 years old.
Must attend school regularly if between 6 and 16 years old.
Uses of the CalWORKs Program
Providing Financial Assistance CalWORKs helps low-income families by providing cash benefits to cover essential living expenses such as food, housing Support Program, and utilities.
Supporting Employment Opportunities The program offers job training, career counseling, and placement services to help parents find stable employment and improve their job skills.
Facilitating Childcare Services CalWORKs assists working parents by providing funding for childcare, ensuring that children are cared for while parents are at work or in training.
Enhancing Educational Access The program supports parents in pursuing education and vocational training, helping them gain skills for better job opportunities.
Connecting Families to Support Services CalWORKs provides access to various support services, including mental health counseling, housing assistance, and resources for domestic violence survivors.
Promoting Health and Well-being Families can access health coverage through Medi-Cal and receive support for physical and mental health needs, contributing to their overall well-being.
Benefits of CalWORKs
Financial Help CalWORKs provides cash assistance to low-income families, helping them pay for basic needs like food, rent, and utilities.
Job Support The program offers job training, employment services, and career counseling to help parents find and keep stable jobs.
Child Care Assistance Working parents or those in job training can get help paying for childcare, ensuring their kids are cared for while they work or study.
Education Opportunities CalWORKs supports parents in furthering their education, including GED programs, vocational training, and college courses.
Family Support Services The program helps families with counseling, crisis support, and resources for issues like housing problems or domestic violence.
Health Resources Families can access health insurance through Medi-Cal and other services to support their physical and mental well-being.
History of the CalWORKs Program
The CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) program was launched on January 1, 1998. It was introduced as California’s implementation of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which was created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996.
CalWORKs replaced the earlier Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program and was designed to promote self-sufficiency by emphasizing employment, time-limited assistance, and family support services.
By phone: 1-800-560-0976 Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
By fax: (916) 875-8262 or efax (916) 854-9263
In person
2700 Fulton Ave.Sacramento, CA 9582Office Hours:Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
3960 Research Dr.Sacramento, CA 95838Office Hours:Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
5747 Watt Ave.North Highlands, CA 95660Office Hours:Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
2450 Florin RoadSacramento, CA 95822Office Hours:Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
210 North Lincoln WayGalt, CA 95632Office Hours:Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CalWORKs
CalWORKs provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. To qualify, you must live in California, have a dependent child under 18 (or under 19 if still in school), and show that you need financial help.
You can apply for CalWORKs online at the BenefitsCal website, in person at your local county office, or by calling their customer service line. Be ready to provide documents like proof of income and identification.
CalWORKs offers cash assistance to help pay for basic needs like food and housing, job training, childcare support, and resources for education. These benefits aim to help families become self-sufficient.
You can receive CalWORKs cash assistance for up to 48 months for adults. However, children can continue to receive support as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
Yes, you can work while getting CalWORKs benefits, and the program encourages it. Your job may affect the amount of cash assistance you receive, but working helps you become financially independent.
