CalWORKs

CalWORKs – California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids

CalWORKs is a program that gives temporary cash aid to help families meet basic needs while they work toward becoming self-sufficient. If you are able to work, you will usually need to take part in job-related activities. The program can also help with things like education, job training, and other services to support your family’s long-term stability.

Immediate Assistance

If your family has little or no money and needs help right away with housing, food, utilities, clothing, or medical care, you can ask for immediate assistance. You’ll need to provide proof of things like income, property, citizenship or immigration status, age, Social Security number, address, housing costs, and your work or school status.

Diversion Payments

CalWORKs eligible families may choose a one-time diversion payment instead of ongoing aid if it helps them accept or keep a job.

Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse

Special rules exist for victims of domestic abuse. All adults applying for or receiving CalWORKs will be given information about counseling and safety planning services available through community resources.

Eligibility

CalWORKs rules are the same for all families, but the amount of aid you receive depends on your family size. You may qualify if:

You are a parent or relative caring for a child in your home who has lost parental support due to absence, disability, or death of a parent.
You have a child in your home and both parents are present, but the main wage earner is unemployed.

Time Limit

Adults can receive CalWORKs cash aid for up to a lifetime total of 60 months. After that, the adult’s portion of the grant stops, but aid continues for eligible children.

How to Apply

You can request an application by mail, pick one up at any county office, or apply online at BenefitsCal.com.

Cash Assistance for Refugees and Non-Citizens

Mono County Health and Human Services provides services to eligible:

Refugees
Asylees
Cuban/Haitian entrants
Humanitarian parolees
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
Amerasians
Non-citizen victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes

Applicants are first evaluated for CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. If not eligible for CalWORKs, one of the programs below may apply.

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

Up to 12 months of cash aid for eligible refugees and asylees when CalWORKs eligibility is not met.

Refugees: Up to 12 months from U.S. entry date
Asylees: Up to 12 months from asylum grant date
Some trafficking/crime victims may qualify after certification

Note: CalWORKs eligibility is checked first; if eligible, benefits are paid under CalWORKs instead of RCA.

Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP)

Cash assistance, food benefits, employment and social services for eligible non-citizen victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes.