This chart depicts the earnings distribution for cases with work-eligible adults in Welfare to Work (WTW). Earnings are grouped into $200 tiers, and cases are grouped by No Income Reported versus Income Reported, presented in percentages. The second chart shows the earnings distribution data by county.
This information provides insights into the income distribution among CalWORKs participants, helping partners understand the financial circumstances of participants and tailor support services accordingly. This knowledge allows for targeted interventions to address income disparities, promote financial stability, and support workforce participation among participants.
The categories of no income reported versus income reported in percentages offers a deeper understanding of the prevalence of earned income among CalWORKs cases. This information is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of employment-related initiatives and assessing the impact of work eligibility requirements on income levels within the program - it facilitates evidence-based decision-making, program evaluation, and the development of strategies to enhance income-earning opportunities and financial well-being for participants and their families.
Importantly, a low percentage of reported income does not necessarily equate to low program participation, as CalWORKs provides flexible work- and work-like activities to build knowledge and skills critical to obtaining stable employment.
No significant policy changes in the most recent 12 months.
These two charts illustrate the percentage of Adult Participants with Earnings. Each drop-down offers options of sorting the data by category (such as race or language), then by Assistance Unit type, by County, and then by reporting quarter. The first chart is statewide data and the second chart is for the selected county.
These charts serve as a metric for gauging the programs' success in transitioning recipients from welfare assistance to employment and self-sufficiency. A higher proportion of adults with earnings indicates effective employment-related initiatives, such as job training and supportive services, in facilitating employment and income growth.
Understanding this data allows partners and counties to evaluate the impact of work initiatives and incentives on participants' work behavior, aiding in assessing the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting workforce participation and success after exiting CalWORKs. Additionally, it provides insights into participants' financial stability and well-being, guiding targeted interventions to enhance earnings, access higher-paying jobs, and overcome employment barriers, ultimately supporting participants in achieving economic self-sufficiency.
While there is nothing new to report, the timeframe depicted was impacted by the Covid-19 public health emergency and is therefore discontinuous from employment trends in prior years and likely is not representative of employment trends in more recent years.
This graphic shows the median earnings by quarter after exit from CalWORKs, including the total number of individuals with earnings. The key at the bottom breaks down the earnings and the map is color coded based on the earning increments in the key.
There are two maps of California and five categories the maps can be filtered to display. Once the map is filtered with the desired categories, the maps can be used to compare median earnings across different exit quarters, showing potential changes over time in median participant earnings after exiting from the program.
The map of California provides a geographic overview of the median earnings of program participants after they have exited the CalWORKs program.