When applying for public assistance benefits under CalWORKs, your county social services/human services agency is responsible for initiating and overseeing the process.
To obtain an application for public assistance benefits, you can contact your local agency through various means, including phone, in-person visits, fax, or mail.
Alternatively, certain California counties now facilitate online applications through the BenefitsCal.com website.
Additionally, the California Department of Social Services website offers downloadable applications that should be submitted to the relevant county office either in person or by mail.
CalWORKs Payment Rates: What to Expect
Within the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program, disbursement of benefit payments occurs between the first and third calendar day of each month.
This program is designed to offer financial assistance to eligible individuals and families, emphasizing the importance for recipients to be cognizant of the payment schedule for effective financial planning.
The amount of cash aid one can receive through CalWORKs is contingent upon the household size.
Notably, households with a non-parent caretaker or those where adults receive temporary or permanent disability may qualify for a higher exempt Maximum Aid Payment (MAP).
The accompanying chart provides a comprehensive breakdown of the maximum cash benefits based on the household’s size, distinguishing between non-exempt and exempt MAP categories.
For instance, a single-person household is eligible for up to $693 in non-exempt MAP or $768 in exempt MAP.
The maximum aid increases proportionally with the number of individuals in the household.
A household with 10 or more people can receive up to $2,723 in non-exempt MAP or $3,045 in exempt MAP.