CalWORKs

CalWORKS is a California’s public assistance program that provides temporary cash assistance and employment services to low-income families with children under 18.

There are also special services for pregnant and parenting teens through the Cal-Learn program. In addition, Medi-Cal is automatically issued to everyone receiving CalWORKs.

Unless otherwise exempt, all work-eligible participants are required to participate in Welfare-to-Work (WTW)¹ activities as a condition of receiving aid.²

CalWORKS, a shorthand for “California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids” also offers childcare, transportation, and work-related expenses while participating in WTW activities.

FAQ

What is the income limit for CalWORKs?

CalWORKs has a gross income limit which is determined by deducting $450 from the earned income of each employed person in the family and then adding all remaining earned and unearned income to determine the gross income for the family.

If this amount after the $450 deduction exceeds the Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care (MBSAC) level for the family size, the family is not eligible.

Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care (MBSAC)

MBSAC is a tool used by California’s Department of Social Services to determine CalWORKs eligibility. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), the MBSAC payment standard for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 depends on how many people are in your family and whether you live in Region 1 or Region 2. ³

For example, a family of three in Region 1 is considered “needy” if its countable income, after a standard deduction of $450, is less than the minimum basic standard of $1,960 per month.

Household Size	Region 1	Region 2
1	$963	$914
2	$1,581	$1,501
3	$1,960	$1,859
4	$2,325	$2,211
5	$2,653	$2,529
6	$2,983	$2,839
7	$3,280	$3,110
8	$3,569	$3,397

Region 1 includes the more urban counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Ventura) where cost of living is higher. Region 2 includes all other more rural counties. Amounts are the MBSAC payment standard for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

How much money do I get on CalWORKS?

If you are in a non-exempt family of three in Region 1 with no income, you may receive of up to $1,175 per month in cash assistance. This amount is often referred to as Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) and can vary depending on whether the adults in the household are able to work.⁴

Household Size	Exempt	Non-Exempt
1	$809	$734
2	$1,039	$930
3	$1,314	$1,175
4	$1,579	$1,416
5	$1,850	$1,659
6	$2,123	$1,902
7	$2,395	$2,145
8	$2,669	$2,389

MAP levels vary based on whether or not the adults in the household are able to work. The table above reflects the current NON EXEMPT and EXEMPT MAP (monthly maximum aid payment) levels for Region 1 (higher cost-of-living counties) effective October 1, 2024.

Non-Exempt applies to households with “employable” adults who are expected to participate in Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities.

The additional monthly stipend provided to pregnant women on their first trimester of pregnancy has been increased from $47 to $100.

The CalWORKs Diversion Program is also available to potentially eligible applicants to help the family overcome a short-term crisis, offering a one-time “diversion payment” instead of monthly cash benefits.

How long can I get CalWORKs in California?

Receipt of CalWORKs is limited to no more than 60 countable months. There is, however, no time limit on assistance for children up to age 18.

Can I apply for CalWORKs online?

Yes. You may apply for CalWORKs online at benefitsCAL . Often, the CalWORKs application is automatically used to assess the CalFresh eligibility.

There are welfare offices located in each of the 58 California counties. You may also apply for CalWORKs in person at any office located in the county where you live.

California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Customer Service / Benefits Assistance
(877) 847-3663

What documents do I need to apply for TANF in California?

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in California, you may be asked to provide all or some of the following documents:

A valid photo ID
Social Security numbers for the people applying (or proof that you have applied for them)
Proof of residency (where you live), such as a lease or a utility bill
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Proof of your children’s identity and their relationship to you, such as birth certificates
Proof of earned and unearned income for everyone in your household, such as pay stubs
Proof of other resources, such as bank statements, if the state asks for them
Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying while pregnant
Information about the children’s other parent, such as a name and last known address, which states use for child support
Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

Each state sets its own rules, and what you need may depend on your situation. If you are not sure what to bring, contact BenefitsCal (CDSS) at (833) 543-2025 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

A Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program is a government-funded initiative designed to help individuals on public assistance, like cash aid, find and keep employment to achieve self-sufficiency. ↩
If you are a single parent with a child under 6, you must work, or do “job search,” or be enrolled in training for at least 20 hours a week. ↩
DPSS. 44-212 Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care (MBSAC). ↩
California has different benefit levels based on geographic location and whether families are exempted from work requirements. ↩