Your Responsibilities

The goal of the CalWORKs program is for you to have a job that will support your family. CalWORKs has a Welfare-to-Work requirement so that you can achieve this goal.

Most CalWORKs recipients must spend 32 hours a week (35 for couples) in job-related activities. You have to spend 20 of those hours in core activities like looking for a job, working, or community service. These are generally experiences that will give you skills you need to be employed. You can spend the rest of the hours doing things that will help you get a job. These non-core activities could include adult basic education, training, or counseling services for mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence. See the glossary for a list of Welfare-to-Work activities. Keep in mind that each county has its own list of acceptable activities, but are required to have a “wide range” of options.

CalWORKs helps you fulfill the requirements and find employment in a number of ways. First, after becoming eligible for the program, you will attend a group orientation that describes the program in general along with Welfare-to-Work requirements and services. You will then meet with a county worker who will review your work history, skills, and discuss any services you feel you might need (see below). Most people will then participate in a four week job search program. If you haven’t found a job at the end of those four weeks, you will meet with an employment counselor for an assessment. You will create a Welfare-to-Work plan that outlines the specific activities that you will participate in. If you can’t agree on a plan, a third party will do another assessment that you will have to accept. You can request a change in your plan within 3 days after you sign it. This should be a plan that will help you find a job that will support your family after your 60 months of CalWORKs benefits end. Once you sign your plan, you are responsible for following it. If you don’t, you may be sanctioned, which means that your benefit will decrease.

CalWORKs also helps you with your Welfare-to-Work activities by providing certain services that you will need because you are working. If you meet certain requirements, CalWORKs pays for child care. One parent families must work 20 hours a week to receive child care. Two parent families must work a combined 55 hours a week, unless one is caring for a disabled child. CalWORKs will also pay for transportation costs related to your employment. Other services, like job training and counseling, can go towards meeting your weekly requirement.

CalWORKs realizes that some people, even with the help of these services, will not be able to work. They offer exemptions to the Welfare-to-Work requirement if you are:

  • Under 16
  • Under 19 and in school full-time
  • Disabled for at least 30 days
  • Over 60
  • Caring for a relative’s child who is a ward of the state or is in danger of being placed in foster care, and who requires care that prevents you from working
  • At home because you are caring for a sick or incapacitated household member
  • Are taking care of a baby under 6 months old
  • Pregnant and medically unable to participate in Welfare-to-Work activities

If you start a Welfare-to-Work program, you may be excused from your requirement if your situation makes it difficult to participate. For example, if you’ve been abused or can’t find the necessary supportive services or child care, the county may excuse you from your requirement. You also don’t have to participate if you are in a Self-Initiated Program (SIP). If you’re exempt from the Welfare-to-Work requirement but you voluntarily participate in activities, you may be eligible for some of the supportive services.

Sources

The following links are provided for those who want detailed information on CalWORKs. For those looking for more general information, please go to DB101’s CalWORKs Resources page.

Bay Area Legal Aid publishes an excellent Advocate’s Guide to CalWORKs, with citations to the relevant code, All County Letters, and eligibility manuals.

The CalWORKs program is governed by the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 11000 et. seq.

The California Department of Social Services interprets these laws through All County Letters and its Manual of Policy and Procedures, Divisions 40-45, and 80-82 (click on the specific sections).

The Health Consumer Alliance has a brochure on Medi-Cal for CalWORKs Advocates.