California CalWORKs (TANF) | Benefits.gov (2024)

FAQs

Why would I get denied for CalWORKs? ›

Some of these reasons are that your income is too high, you have too much property, you don't have custody of your children or you did not turn in paperwork to the county. The county must give you a written notice telling you that your CalWORKs will stop and why.

CalWORKS Provides Cash Assistance to Low-Income Families.

In 2022-23, the administration estimates the average CalWORKs grant amount to be $960 per month across all family sizes and income levels. These grants are funded through a combination of federal TANF block grant funding, state General Fund, and county dollars.

Look at your earned income. Subtract $450 of earned income for each working family member. Add that to any unearned income not listed above, like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), investment income, or other money you get that isn't from work. The total is your countable income for eligibility.

To be eligible for California CalWORKs, you must be a resident of California, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following: Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or.

How long does it take to get CalWORKs benefits? CalWORKs applications must be approved or denied within 45 days of submission, and the county must set up an intake appointment within seven days of receiving your application.

CalWORKs stands for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program. It is California's name for the federal TANF program.

Question: The typical TANF family receiving cash assistance is:Group of answer choicesAbout 50% of the TANF families consist of one female adult and one childAbout 1/3 are African American, 1/3 are white and 28 percent are of Hispanic originAbout one-third have two childrenAll of these answers are correctToday, 75% ...

These payments are intended to provide relief to CalWORKs Assistance Units experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GSG will provide a one-time $600 payment to all eligible CalWORKs Assistance Units.

You will not be required to participate in the Welfare-to-Work program and your Welfare-to-Work 24-Month Time Clock will stop if any of the reasons below apply to you. You are under 16 years old. You are 16, 17, or 18 years old and in high school or adult school. You are 60 years or older.

How to appeal a CalWORKs denial? ›

By phone. Call the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) at 1-800-952-5253 (TDD: 1-800-952-8349). By mail. Write your request on the back of the Notice of Action, or write a letter.

If an applicant receives a notice of denial for lack of proof, there is a window of opportunity. Within the 60-day period from the original application date, applicants can provide the required information to the county.

Starting May 1, 2022, the time limit for CalWORKs adults will change from 48 months to 60 months. If you are an adult who already used 48 months of CalWORKs, you may be able to get 12 more months. For example, if you got 36 months of CalWORKs, you can get 24 more months.