CalWORKs Eligibility

Eligibility

Basic Requirements

	Reside in California and intend to stay

	Have children or are pregnant and:
	One or both parents are absent from the home, deceased or disabled Both parents are in the home, but the principal wage earner is either unemployed or working less than 100 hours per month at the time they apply for assistance
	Be a United States citizen or a lawful immigrant

	Have a Social Security number or have applied for one

	Have a net monthly income less than the maximum aid payment for family size

	Have less than $2000 in cash, bank, accounts and other resources ($3000 if 60 years or older)

	Provide proof of regular school attendance for all school age children

	Provide proof of immunizations for all children under the age of six.



	Cooperate with child support requirements

	Participate in welfare-to-work activities

	Perform 32 hours of work related activities per week for a single parent household or 35 hours per week in a two-parent household

Property and Resources

For CalWORKs applicants and participants there is a $2000 or $3000 (if 60 years or older) property limit. Motor vehicles valued at $4650 or less may be excluded from the resource limit. If the County agrees, participants may also save up to $5000 in restricted bank accounts to buy a home, start a business or pay for college or vocational training for a household member. Some resources that do not count include:

	A home, if the family lives in it

	Personal and household items such as furniture, appliances and computers

	Tools needed for employment

	Federal relocation and disaster relief benefits

	If property is owned with someone else, only the participant's share counts

Child Support

Every parent/caretaker relative participating in CalWORKs must cooperate with the Child Support Services Department (CSSD) to collect child support for the children from any absent parent. Families on aid will get to keep $50 of the monthly child support payment for each month the absent parent pays on time. Failure to fully cooperate with the CSSD could result in a 25% reduction in aid, unless good cause is determined. Good cause includes the following situations:

	The participant is a victim of domestic violence

	The participant or child(ren) may be in danger if CSSD contacts the absent parent

	When rape or incest has occurred

School Attendance and Immunizations

All school-age children, except those in the Cal-Learn or other approved teen parent program, must attend school to receive aid. Parents must also show proof that all children not in school and under the age of 6 have received appropriate immunizations within 30 days from the date of eligibility. A financial penalty will be imposed on the parent/caretaker relative for failure to comply with the immunization requirements. In the following situations, the family may be exempt from the immunization rules:

	Immunizations are contrary to religious beliefs

	Immunizations are medically inappropriate

For Los Angeles County Health Department facilities that provide immunizations, click here.

Updated December 29, 2004