- What is CalWORKs?
- What are some requirements to be eligible for CalWORKs?
- How do I apply?
- Where to apply for CalWORKs?
- What verifications are necessary to provide when applying for CalWORKs?
- Do I have to have children to be eligible for CalWORKs?
- Do I have to be a US citizen to be eligible?
- What are the income standards for CalWORKs and the maximum aid payments?
- What are the property standards for CalWORKs?
- What if I have a cash emergency?
- I am homeless could I still be eligible for benefits?
- If I receive SSI/SSP am I eligible for CalWORKs?
- If I am approved to receive benefits, how do I access them?
- What happens if my EBT card is not working?
- What if I have lost my EBT card?
- What if I don’t think I am eligible can I still apply?
- How do I find out who my case manager is?
- I can’t reach my worker, what should I do?
- What is CalWORKs?
The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program is the California version of the Federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF.) CalWORKs provides time limited cash benefits to families with children when one or both parents is absent, disabled, deceased or unemployed. If eligible for CalWORKs you automatically qualify for Medi-Cal and may also qualify for Food Stamps.
- What are some requirements to be eligible for CalWORKs?
The only way to know for sure if you are eligible for the CalWORKs program is to apply at an office, in person.
However, some basic eligibility factors for a child and a needy parent or caretaker relative are listed below. If these basic factors are met, cash benefits may be available to the family for the care of a needy child:
Deprivation/Established Need of a Child
- One or both parents are deceased.
- One or both parents are physically or mentally incapacitated.
- The principal wage earner parent is unemployed or working less than 100 hours per month.
- One or both parents are continually absent from the home where the child is living
Age
An eligible child must live in the home. A child may be eligible for CalWORKs until their 18th birthday or are 18 years old and in high school or vocational school full time and are expected to complete either program before their 19th birthday.
- How do I apply?
You must apply in person at any Community Services Agency office. You must have a face-to-face interview with a case manager before benefits can be approved. If you are disabled and cannot come into the office, we may do a home visit or phone interview.
- Where to apply for CalWORKs?
Community Services Agency (CSA)
251 E. Hackett Road
Modesto, CA 95358
(209) 558-2777 |
CSA Turlock
101 Lander Avenue
Turlock, CA
(209) 664-8150
OR
275 3rd St
Turlock, CA
(209) 664-8287
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Hughson Collaborative
2413 3rd Street
Hughson, CA
(209) 558-4564 |
West Modesto Community Center
401 Paradise Road, Bldg. E
Modesto, CA
(209) 558-5142 |
Oakdale
1405 West F Street Ste #1
Oakdale, CA
(209) 558-2777 |
Scenic
1014 Scenic Avenue
Modesto, CA
(209) 558-4820 |
- What verifications are necessary to provide when applying for CalWORKs?
You should bring the following with you when you apply for CalWORKs if applicable:
- Identification (Drivers License or California Identification Card), baptismal certificate, or other government document.
- Social Security Card or verification that all family member have applied for Social Security
- Verification of rent and utilities
- Statements of Bank Accounts, trust funds and any other resources
- Proof of citizenship status from US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS) of permanent resident alien status. If the applicant does not have proof of citizenship, more time may be allowed to provide proof after aid is approved
- Immunization records for children under age 6 and not in school
- Pregnancy verification if an unborn is the only eligible child.
- Verification of income, wages and Social Security Benefits - Pay stubs for all persons working now or who got paid this month for a job that ended.
- A copy of vehicle registration
There may be additional facts or proofs that the worker may need to find out to ensure that all the rules are met. The worker will give the applicant time to provide these. If the applicant needs help getting proofs, or needs help paying for proofs, the worker may help.
- Do I have to have children to be eligible for CalWORKs?
Yes. You must have a child under the age of 18 or a child age 18 who is expected to graduate high school prior to their 19th birthday residing with you. In addition you may be eligible if your are in your third trimester of your pregnancy.
- Do I have to be a US citizen to be eligible?
No, CalWORKs recipients must be either U.S. citizens or have legal alien status.
- What are the income standards for CalWORKs and the maximum aid payments?
You must be very low income to qualify for CalWORKs as an applicant. Your income must be below the Minimum Basic Standard for Adequate Care (MBSAC). The chart below gives you the MBSAC amount for your family size. A $90 deduction is given to earned income.
Family Size |
MBSAC |
1 |
$462 |
2 |
$759 |
3 |
$940 |
4 |
$1,118 |
5 |
$1,275 |
6 |
$1,434 |
7 |
$1,573 |
8 |
$1,716 |
9 |
$1,855 |
10 |
$2,019 |
More than 10 |
+$18 for each extra person |
- What are the property standards for CalWORKs?
The property of a child and the parent(s) must be under the following limits:
- Families without elderly members (over 60 years of age) may have $2,000 combined personal and real property per family. (Real property is undeveloped land or a house that is in addition to the family’s current home.)
- Families with elderly members may have $3,000 combined personal and real property per family.
- Furniture, clothing, and appliances are exempt. The family home is exempt provided the family lives in the home.
- The value of one automobile up to $4650 is exempt.
- What if I have a cash emergency?
If you have a cash emergency, you may apply for an Immediate Need payment when you apply for CalWORKs. Tell your case manager you have the emergency. Immediate Need payments may be available to families in emergency situations while the CalWORKs application is being processed. The maximum immediate need payment is $200. If you are apparently eligible to the CalWORKs program you may be eligible for an Immediate Need Payment, within 24 hours, based on an emergency situation that may include, but is not limited to the following:
- Lack of housing
- Pending eviction
- Lack of food
- Utility shutoff notice
- Transportation
- Clothing needs
- Other immediate health and safety issues
- I am homeless could I still be eligible for benefits?
Yes. You will be asked to provide a contact address/phone number or you may use the Community Services Agency’s address if you cannot provide an alternate contact.
- If I receive SSI/SSP am I eligible for CalWORKs?
No. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP), you are already receive a cash form of public assistance and are not eligible for CalWORKs. You may apply for other household members who do not receive SSI/SSP.
- If I am approved to receive benefits, how do I access them?
You may choose to have your payments issued either on a plastic debit card or directly to your bank account each month. Most families have their benefits automatically deposited during the first three days of each month on a plastic debit card called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Your EBT card lets you access your benefits at Point of Sale (POS) devices in stores or at Automated Teller Machines (ATM). If you select Direct Deposit your monthly benefits are placed directly in your checking or savings account at your own bank each month.
- What happens if my EBT card is not working?
EBT cards do not work for various reasons, such as the card may not be active, or there are no remaining benefits. You may call your case manager or 1-877-328-9677 for assistance.
- What if I have lost my EBT card?
Call 1-877-328-9677 to report your card lost or stolen immediately. At this time you may also request a new card be mailed to you. If you need a new card right away contact your case manager or go into your local Community Services Agency office.
- What if I don’t think I am eligible can I still apply?
Yes, you may apply for CalWORKs at any time.
- How do I find out who my case manager is?
You can use our automated system to find out who your case manager is by calling (209) 558-2777.
- I can’t reach my worker, what should I do?
Please leave a message with your assigned case manager. If they do not return your call by the next day you may ask to speak to their supervisor and for their supervisor’s phone numbers. Our phone calls are our priority. Please let us know if you are not receiving a returned phone call.
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