CalWORKs Summary Program Overview Eligibility and Participation / Program Requirements

Eligibility and Participation / Program Requirements

The first table displays a breakdown of the Assistance Unit and Hourly Participation Requirements. The assistance unit examples include Single Parent with Child under 6 Years, Single Parent with Child 6 and Over, Two Parent Families, Two Parents with One Disabled or Ineligible Parent with Child under 6 Years Old and Two Parents with One Disabled or Ineligible Parent without Child under 6 Years Old.

The second table displays WTW Activities: Employment Activities, Educational Activities, Barrier Removal Activities, Job Search, Job Readiness Activities, Work Experience, Community Service and Job Skills Training. It is to be noted that child care and supportive services are available to participants of Welfare to Work.

Adults participating in CalWORKs are required to participate in Welfare to Work (WTW) activities as a condition of aid, unless exempt, until the lifetime maximum of 60-months for CalWORKs assistance is reached. Once the 60-month time limit is reached for the adult, aid can continue for an eligible child or children until they reach age 18 or 19, if enrolled in secondary school.

The first table can help participants and partners understand the number of core hours required for each assistance unit depending on each participant’s situation. Participants must meet CalWORKs minimum standard hourly participation requirements. The hourly requirement is 30 hours per week for single parents, 35 hours per week for two parent families, and 20 hours per week for single parents with a child under six.

The second table displays the full array of CalWORKs WTW activities CalWORKs participants can participate in based on the results of their assessment, to help them become self-sufficient. This information informs participants and partners of the activities available in the CalWORKs WTW program.

This chart displays the range of CalWORKs WTW (Welfare-to-Work) Education Activities available to program participants. Each activity is accompanied by a description, offering clarity on the specific skills, knowledge, and training provided to participants.

Many types of educational opportunities are available to WTW program participants, and they can participate in educational activities throughout their time on aid under the CalWORKs Hourly Participation standards.

Beginning January 1, 2021, participants enrolled in publicly funded postsecondary educational institutions are entitled to advance standard payments for required books and supplies for the classes they enroll in. Additionally, participants enrolled in publicly funded postsecondary educational institutions are not required to complete job search as their initial engagement activity; assessments are to be conducted only for the purpose of identifying any barriers to participation in education; and eligible participants receive three hours of study time for each academic unit enrolled.

This chart can help participants and partners understand each educational activities skill and training requirements to better support the participant in the program. 

No changes impacting Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24.

This chart provides a detailed breakdown of exemptions within the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW) framework, including Welfare-to-Work Time Clock Exemptions and Good Cause. Each exemption is listed with a description and categorization as either a WTW participation exemption or a CalWORKs 60-month time limit exemption.

The Welfare-to-Work Time Clock Exemptions and Good Cause chart displays the criteria and circumstances under which participants may be determined exempt from WTW requirements or the CalWORKs 60-month time limit. This knowledge aids in appropriate and consistent policy application, promoting fairness and equity within the program.

The chart aids program administrators in accurately assessing eligibility for exemptions, tracking exemption utilization, and ensuring that participants receive appropriate support and accommodations when warranted by their individual situations. Additionally, the chart serves as a reference tool for participants, helping them navigate the exemption process and understand their rights and responsibilities within the CalWORKs program.

Understanding the different types of exemptions and their descriptions helps partners accurately assess participant eligibility for exemptions and make informed decisions regarding exemption approvals. It also aids in tracking exemption utilization rates, identifying trends, and evaluating the impact of exemption policies on program outcomes and participant engagement.

Additionally, this information supports effective communication with participants, enabling them to understand their rights, responsibilities, and options within the CalWORKs program. It promotes informed decision-making and empowers participants to navigate the exemption process confidently and effectively.

Overall, the information from this chart supports the integrity, fairness, and effectiveness of exemption policies within CalWORKs, ultimately contributing to improved program outcomes and participant success.

Senate Bill 521, signed by Governor Newsom in October 2023, amended WIC Section 11332.7 to clarify that a month a Cal-Learn teen participates in the program shall not be counted as a month of receipt of aid.