CalWORKs
CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility
to Kids) replaced the program called Aid to Families with Dependent Children
(AFDC) and Greater Avenues to Independence (GAIN) in January 1998. CalWORKs
is an employment-based program that requires employable adults to participate
in work-related activities to receive aid. CalWORKs encourages people to
view aid as temporary help in time of crisis rather than a way of life.
Services
The many programs and services
for which a CalWORKs family may qualify include:
Eligibility
Although grant levels are based
on family size, the same eligibility criteria apply to all
families. Specific eligibility requirements take into account
an applicant's citizenship, age, income, resources, assets
and other factors. In general, services are available to:
- Parents or caretaker relatives that have a child(ren) in
the home who has been deprived of parental support or care
because of the absence, disability or death of a parent.
- Families with a child(ren) when both parents are in the
home, but the primary wage earner is unemployed
Time limit
Welfare Reform in California
assures that welfare is a temporary support in times of crisis,
rather than a way of life; encourages and rewards personal
responsibility and accountability by recipients; and fosters
a "Work First" attitude. The law has changed the amount of time to receive cash assistance from 5-years (60 month) to 4-years (48-months) effective July 1, 2011.
How to Apply
Needy families are encouraged
to apply for CalWORKs at any of our facilities in Alameda County or apply online. A family can ask for
immediate assistance if there is little or no cash and there
is a need for emergency housing, food, utilities, clothing
or medical care. Please bring proof of income, property, citizenship
status, age, social security number, residence, shelter costs,
work or school status, as well as any other information pertinent
to determining a family's eligibility. Diversion payments and
services are available, if you are CalWORKs eligible, but would
prefer a one-time payment to accept or keep a job.
If you would like to know if you may be potentially eligible for the CalWORKs program, complete the CalWORKs Application Guideline questionnaire. This is a very broad eligibility guideline and does not substitute for an application for CalWORKs, nor is it an accurate eligibility determination. It is highly encouraged that a formal application is submitted at one of the County offices so that an official eligibility determination can be made.
Other Requirements
As of February 1, 2001,
adults who apply for CalWORKs are fingerprinted and photo imaged.
Adults who already receive CalWORKs will be fingerprinted and
photo imaged when they come in for their annual review. This
is State law. The purpose of this requirement is to protect
your benefits from fraud or theft by protecting your ID. The
information will not be shared outside the Agency. Each Social
Services Agency facility will have a site where individuals
can be fingerprinted and photo imaged privately. Some aid recipients
may not have to meet the fingerprinting and photo-imaging requirement
due to an injury or disability. Please contact a public
contact office to see if you qualify for an exemption.
For more information, please call 1.888.999.4772.
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