CalWORKs Summary

CalWORKs Interactive Summary Home Page

This web-based release includes, but is not limited to, the response to the legislative Supplemental Report Language (SRL) request and is updated quarterly, most recently in September 2024.

This release includes data covering various relevant components of the CalWORKs program, including caseload dynamics, demographics of families and children living in poverty and deep poverty, the Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program, and impacts of recent policy changes.

For ease-of-use, program narratives and data are categorized under each of the four areas listed below.

Program Overview

CalWORKs program and policy information

CalWORKs Families

Characteristics of assistance units participating in CalWORKs

Program Services and Utilization

A detailed look at services provided and enrolled caseload

Outcomes

Trends and analysis of assistance units exiting CalWORKs

Visualization Index

Direct links to all visualizations

This report is produced pursuant to the Supplemental Report of the 2014-15 Budget Package, which reads:

“The Department of Social Services shall collaborate with legislative staff, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), and key stakeholders on the creation of an annual report on the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, covering caseload dynamics, demographics of families and children living in poverty and deep poverty in the program, impacts and implementation of recent policy changes, and other components to be decided in the course of those discussions. The report will also address the use and outcomes of research funds appropriated to DSS. Progress toward an annual report shall be provided in the form of a verbal update by January 15, 2015, with the first iteration of the report to be presented by April 1, 2015, at which date there shall be consideration regarding the annual date ongoing.”

"The CalWORKs Interactive Summary is the ninth iteration of this report.

Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 11334.6(a), pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 1041 (Chapter 47, Statutes of 2012), added the following provision into law:

“The department shall provide to the budget committees of the Legislature, no later than February 1, 2013, and, notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, on February 1 annually thereafter, a report that includes all the following information:

  • The number of counties implementing a Cal-Learn Program.
  • The number of recipients being served in each county with intensive case management services.
  • Outcomes for recipients, including graduation rates and repeat pregnancies.”

The CalWORKs Interactive Summary fulfills these reporting requirements.