Applications for CalWORKs can be done at any social service office or online at BenefitsCal.  Applicants will be asked to provide proof of all income and property as well as proof of citizenship and social security number.

All applicants are required to have a face-to-face interview prior to approval of their CalWORKs application.  At this appointment, all applicant adults will be fingerprinted. At this interview, an applicant’s case manager will assess what exact verifications they will need to approve the case and will inform the applicant of these necessary verifications in written documentation with a due date.

If an applicant provides all needed verifications and meets the eligibility qualifications, they will be approved for a monthly cash aid amount.  If the applicant does not submit required verifications or meet the eligibility qualifications, their case will be denied.  Applicants who have been denied can re-apply at any time.

Once approved for CalWORKs, all aided adults will participate in a Welfare-to-Work Orientation to learn about the program, the process and their rights and responsibilities while receiving CalWORKs cash aid.

At WTW Appraisal, a participant will meet with their case manager to review their education, employment history, job skills, potential employment barriers and support they may need to go to work or training like childcare, transportation or counseling or other support services.  If the participant has a crisis or situation that will keep them from being able to participate fully in the WTW Program, they will be evaluated for an exemption or eligibility to the Family Stabilization Program.

Prior to choosing what types of activities they’d like to do, a participant and their case manager will work together to do some education and career testing and review what types of jobs are available in the local labor market. Together they will determine what steps will be need to attain the participant’s goals. 

A WTW Plan is established based on the needs and goals of the participant that will outline what activities they will take part in to reach their employment goal.  The WTW Plan will outline the activities that are expected and how the county will help support these activities. 

As part of a participant’s WTW Plan, they may choose to participate in a 16-week paid subsidized employment position that the county contracts out.  If they are interested in this activity, their case manager will refer them for job placement during their WTW Assessment period.