The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program is California's version of the Federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF). This program provides time-limited cash assistance to families with children. The level of assistance is based upon a variety of factors, including family size and income level. Cash benefits are issued electronically on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. For more information on EBT go to: http://www.ebtproject.ca.gov.
If your EBT Card is lost or stolen, please call: 1-877-328-9677.
CalWORKS has two primary functions – determining eligibility for aid and providing employment services to eligible recipients. The employment services program which works with CalWORKS families in Kings County is called Welfare-to-Work.
Who can apply for Assistance?
Any person has the right to apply for assistance. After an application is received, program eligibility will be determined.
Who is Eligible for CalWORKs?
Families are eligible if there is a minor child in the home whose parent(s) are unable to provide adequate support in cases where:
- Either parent is deceased;
- Either parent is physically or mentally incapacitated;
- Principal earner is unemployed;
- Either parent is continually absent from the home in which the child is living.
Time Limits
Adults under the CalWORKs program are limited to receiving cash benefits for a lifetime cumulative period of 60 months.
Welfare-To-Work Program
The Welfare To Work (WtW) program is designed to assist CalWORKs clients in becoming self-sufficient. WtW offers a variety of employment services to move participants from welfare to work. WtW pays for the costs of childcare, transportation, and other work-related expenses for those engaged in services.
Welfare-To-Work Activities
- Learning Disability Evaluations
- Job Search Classes
- Vocational Assessments
- Vocational Training
- High School Diploma/GED Classes
- Unsubsidized Employment
- College Courses
- Paid and Unpaid Work Experience
Who May Participate:
- Adult CalWORKs recipients must participate, unless determined to be exempt
- Exempt individuals may volunteer to receive Welfare To Work services, and must abide by program requirements upon entering the program
Cal-LEARN
Cal-LEARN is facilitated by the Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO). This program assists pregnant or parenting CalWORKS teens in completing their high school diploma. Cal-LEARN teens can receive quarterly bonuses for maintaining progress in school and a one-time $500 bonus for graduating from high school. Cal-LEARN pays for the costs of childcare, transportation, and other expenses for participating CalWORKS teens.
KCAO Website: http://www.kcao.org/
Where to Apply:
