CDSS Programs CalWORKs Transforming CalWORKs Initiative

Transforming CalWORKs Initiative

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, administered by California’s 58 counties, provides cash assistance, employment services, and other benefits to low-income families with children. CalWORKs’ mission is to provide equitable access to the services, resources, and opportunities families need to increase resilience and long-term well-being, achieve economic stability and mobility, and disrupt poverty.

As part of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget approved by California’s Governor and the Legislature, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will implement a set of significant CalWORKs policy reforms. This milestone achievement builds on the important foundation for program improvement that was established via the CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review (Cal-OAR) and county led CalWORKs 2.0 efforts.

These policy changes continue to strengthen this foundation and enable a transformation of the CalWORKs program to:

  • center families' voice and choice,
  • provide meaningful pathways to work that provide economic stability,
  • improve access to services, and
  • reduce penalties and administrative burden for families and county workers.

Each policy change is listed below, with implementation anticipated by July 1, 2026, or if automation is needed, when automation is complete.

When implementation letters are issued, links will be added to this webpage.

The Policy Changes Include:

  • Prospective Repeal of the Work Participation Rate (WPR) Penalty Pass-Through to Counties (effective October 1, 2025):
    • This change eliminates the pass-through of any federal penalties resulting from the State not achieving the federal WPR targets, effective October 1, 2025, and forward.
  • Enhanced Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Program Flow:
    • These policy changes streamline the sequence of activities a participant engages in as they enter the program, with an emphasis on participant self-determination.
    • This new, family-centered flow will:
      • Standardize participant orientation
      • Replace the Online CalWORKs Appraisal Tool (OCAT) with a simplified appraisal tool that participants may complete independently, or with county support, depending on their needs
      • Combines the orientation and appraisal steps
      • Makes participation in Job Search and Job Club optional, and
      • Removes the reappraisal requirement
    • This new flow will allow participants to:
      • Quickly learn what supportive services and work activities are available to them
      • Develop their own WTW plan to best align with their unique needs and goals, and
      • Receive county support to develop their plan when they request it.
  • Expansion of Allowable WTW Activities:
    • Expands allowable WTW activities, such as case management and plan development, along with barrier removal services that develop and enhance workplace skills and work and education activities that build foundations for employment
    • This expansion creates more opportunities for participants to engage in options that best meet their needs and align with their goals.
  • Advancement of Transportation Costs:
    • This policy change shifts the process from reimbursement to advance payment of anticipated transportation costs based on each individual’s WTW plan activities
    • Expands the definition of transportation services and costs to include bus passes and the cost of owning a personal vehicle, such as registration, repairs, and tolls. Counties may also cover expenses related to transporting children so that their parents may participate in work activities.
  • Changes To Sanction Policies:
    • This policy change prohibits the imposition of sanctions during the first 90 days after an individual is determined to be eligible for aid
    • Requires counties to verify that, when needed, childcare is secured before applying a sanction; and
    • Simplifies the process for participants to resolve sanctions and participate in work activities.

Supporting Local Implementation

  • Transforming CalWORKs Advisory Committee (TCAC)
    • Building on the work of the Cal-OAR Advisory Committee, the TCAC will collaborate on a shared vision, help inform implementation efforts, and recommend policy and practice changes that advance a more goal-directed, family-centered service delivery approach that will lead to increased economic mobility and family stability for participating families.
    • The TCAC is comprised of a wide range of partners, including individuals with lived expertise, representatives from counties and the County Welfare Directors Association of California, Tribal partners, advocates, education and workforce partners, the Service Employees International Union, Legislative staff and leaders, and other relevant government and community partners.
  • CalWORKs County Implementation Collaborative (CWIC)
    • In partnership with the Child and Family Policy Institute of California (CFPIC), the CDSS will facilitate the CWIC beginning in Fall 2025.
    • This collaborative will serve as a forum for counties to have ongoing, open dialogue and share successes and challenges related to implementation of the CalWORKs policy reforms.
    • The collaborative will also support counties in their ongoing efforts to enhance supportive, family-centered and family-driven program culture.

Please continue to check back here for recommendations from TCAC and CWIC.

Stay in Touch

For the latest information regarding the CDSS’ Transforming CalWORKs efforts, please sign up for email updates via the Transforming CalWORKs Initiative Listserv. For questions regarding the Transforming CalWORKs efforts, please email our team at TransformingCalWORKs@dss.ca.gov.