The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program provides cash benefits for the care of children in need when one or both parents are absent, disabled, deceased or unemployed. CalWORKs benefits may be extended to qualifying non-citizens who have a child or children in the home. Non-citizens can include refugees, parolees, victims of trafficking or battered non-citizens. If you are eligible for CalWORKs, you automatically qualify for Medi-Cal and you might qualify for CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) as well.
The CalWORKS program requires clients to obtain employment as quickly as possible, become self-supporting, and eliminate or reduce their dependence on aide. The links below provide information about additional assistance and services that can help CalWORKs clients achieve self-sufficiency.
- Emergency Assistance
- Additional cash assistance services
- Employment Services
- Services available for persons who receive CalWORKs
- Pregnant and Parenting Teen Services
- Services available for teens that are either pregnant or parenting and receiving CalWORKs
CalWORKs Application Packet – Frequently Used Forms – The following forms are to be accessed with guidance from your caseworker. These forms are only to be utilized after an application has been submitted and your assigned caseworker has contacted you.
- Rights, Responsibilities and Other Important Info (SAWS 2A SAR) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Getting to Know You (F063-02-748) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Quality of Life (F063-02-753) English Spanish Vietnamese Farsi
- Demographic Questionnaire For CalWORKs, RCA, ECA, TCVAP, and CalFresh Programs (CW 2223) English Spanish
- SAR 7 Instructions (F063-30-966) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Changes To The CalWORKs Assistance Unit And Child Support Rules (CW 52) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Notice of Language Services (GEN 1365) English
- Immunization Good Cause Request Form (CW 2209) English Spanish
- CalWORKs Immunization Rules (CW 101) English Spanish Vietnamese
- CW 48-Month Time Limit (CW 2184) English Spanish Vietnamese
- CalWORKs Stage One Child Care Request Form & Payment Rules (CCP 7) English Spanish Vietnamese
- CalFresh Benefits How to Report Household Changes (CF 23 SAR) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Additional Information About EBT (Temp 2214) English Spanish Vietnamese
- EBT Surcharge Free (EBT 2216) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Information Notice EPSDT (MC 003) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Welfare-to-Work Program Notice (WTW 5) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Child Health & Disability Prevention Program (PUB 183) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Family Planning (PUB 275) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Your Rights (PUB 13) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Would you Like to Register to Vote? (NVRA Voter Preference Form) English Spanish Vietnamese
- CA EBT Card (PUB 388) English Spanish Vietnamese
- Home Visiting Initiative (HVI) Informing Notice (F063-30-971) English Spanish Vietnamese