Jhe maximum wealth for California Residents eligible for social assistance have increased in 2021 and the deadline has been extended, meaning more low-income families can now benefit from the cash assistance provided under the program for longer.
Since 1998, the CalWorksComment provided assistance to Californians in all 58 counties of the state.
Who is eligible for CalWorks?
The program is open to any legitimate person US residentlegal alien or qualified alien living in California, which includes residents granted refugee or asylum status, conditional entrants, persons with withholding of deportation or deportation, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and certain victims of domestic violence.
Victims of human trafficking – i.e. applicants for and holders of a T visa, and those who have applied for or hold a U visa may also be eligible.
Those applying for CalWORKs also don’t have to worry about being reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
As of July 2021, households are eligible if they have less than $10,211 in cash, bank, accounts and other resources, or less than $15,317 if a household member is disabled or age 60 or older – however, the first 600 USD of income is exempt from this.
If you meet this condition, you must also have a child aged 18 or under or be pregnant, or be the head of your household aged 18 or under.
There are also other minor parameters, such as proof of immunization for all children under six and minimum levels of participation in Welfare-to-Work programs.
How long can you stay on welfare?
As of early 2022, the limit is now 60 countable months, regardless of when you started receiving assistance.
However, this can go on for a long time if during any of these months you:
- Have been disabled for at least 30 days;
- You are caring for a child who has been taken into the care of the court or who is at risk of
- in foster care;
- Did not receive any cash assistance;
- are a victim of domestic violence;
- You are 60 or older; and
- Received cash assistance which was fully repaid through collection of child support.