California CalWORKs
CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) is California's TANF program, providing monthly cash assistance for low-income families with minor children plus access to Welfare-to-Work employment and training services. Administered by California's 58 counties through county welfare departments.
Potential Benefit
Up to ~$1,123/month for a family of three (Maximum Aid Payment, Region 1)
Who Qualifies
California families with minor children and limited income/resources
CalWORKs is administered by California counties, not the state. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com or call 211 to be routed to your county welfare office. California uses MBSAC (Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care) for the Income Eligibility Test. Cap modeled on AU=3 in Region 1 (high-cost counties); Region 2 (low-cost) has slightly lower thresholds. The Maximum Aid Payment ($1,123 MAP for AU=3 R1) varies by region and Assistance Unit size — different from the eligibility threshold.
How to Apply
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