Cash Assistance
CalWORKs
CalWORKs is a public assistance program that provides temporary cash assistance for needy families with (or expecting) children. This program provides financial help for eligible needy families who have lost or had a reduction in their income.
Welfare-to-Work
The Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Program is the employment and training aspect of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program (CalWORKs). WTW is designed to enable participants to achieve self sufficiency through employment.
General Assistance
The General Assistance (GA) program provides assistance for all eligible low-income residents of Napa County who are unemployed or unable to work. We provide short-term financial assistance in the form of a loan for adults without children that will help an individual to either find employment or obtain support from another source.
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
CAPI is a program that provides cash assistance to aged, blind or disabled non-citizens who have been denied Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) solely due to their immigration status. The program provides monthly cash assistance to help pay for living expenses such as rent and utilities.
CalWORKs
HELPING YOU SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY
The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program is a public assistance program that provides temporary assistance for needy families with (or expecting) children.
If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses.
Support while on the program may include temporary homeless assistance, employment/job readiness assistance, childcare, and transportation costs. Monthly cash benefits are issued on an ATM-style plastic card, called an Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT card, which you can use to make purchases.
CalWORKs is the California version of the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
- An adult caring for a child who is:
- Under age 18, OR
- Under age 19 if the child is in high school or vocational school.
- One or both of the child’s parents must be unemployed, disabled, continuously absent or deceased.
- You must meet income and resource limits.
- You may also qualify if you are:
- Pregnant and in your second trimester
- A pregnant or parenting teen under age 18
- A relative caring for a child.
Eligibility for benefits depends on a number of factors, including family size, immigration status, income, property, and special needs
HOW CALWORKS MAY HELP
Individuals who are in receipt of CalWORKs for themselves are required to participate in the CalWORKs employment services program called Welfare-to-Work (WTW). Going through the WTW program builds your skills toward getting and keeping a job, so that you can support your family into the future.
During your program, WTW staff may:
- Assess you for types of jobs you might do
- Help you make a plan to get work and increase your job skills
- Support you in training for various jobs, including helping you obtain your GED
- Provide childcare while you are completing the Welfare-to-Work program
- Help you get such services as: mental health services, alcohol or other drug services, legal help, learning disability support and/or support for those affected by domestic violence.
TEMPORARY HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance is available to families with children who are currently enrolled in (or eligible to) the CalWORKs program. The CalWORKs Temporary Homeless Assistance program provides:
- Payments for up to 16 days of temporary shelter in a 12-month period.
- Payments related to permanent housing, including security or utility deposits.
- Provides up to two months of back rent if you are facing eviction.
You may also qualify for a referral to the CalWORKs Housing Support Program. Click here for more information about the the CalWORKs Housing Support Program.
DIVERSION PROGRAM
The diversion program is available to potentially eligible CalWORKs applicants to help the family overcome a short-term crisis. It is intended to provide immediate financial assistance that can help individuals keep or start a job and continue to be self-supporting.
If the Eligibility Specialist (EW) determines that a family may be better served by receiving a one-time Diversion Program payment instead of monthly cash payments, the EW will discuss this option with the applicant.
For additional information about the diversion program, please read the following document in English or Spanish
TIME LIMITS
CalWORKs parents or caretaker relatives are limited to a total of 48-months of cash assistance. This also applies to any months (from January 1998 on) in which the parent(s) received cash assistance from a state other than California.
There are certain exemptions to the 48-month lifetime limit, which will be explained by your Eligibility Specialist. If you meet an exemption reason, you may receive aid in a given month without it counting towards your 48-month lifetime limit.
Once the CalWORKs 48-month lifetime limit is reached, the adult will no longer be eligible for CalWORKs, however the children may remain eligible.
APPLYING FOR CALWORKS
You may apply for CalWORKs electronically at www.BenefitsCal.com or by completing a paper application and submitting the application:
In Person
Hand your application to a receptionist at any of our locations Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm
- 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Building A, Suite 108, Napa CA
- 4381 Broadway, Suite 100, American Canyon, CA
Drop Off
Drop your application in one of our drop boxes
- Outside the lobby at 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Building A, Suite 108, Napa CA
- Outside Suite 100 at 4381 Broadway, American Canyon, CA
Mail
Mail your application to:
Napa County Health and Human Services
2751 Napa Valley Corporate Dr.
Napa, CA 94558
Fax
Fax your application to (707) 253-6095
Welfare-to-Work
The Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Program is the employment and training aspect of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program (CalWORKs). WTW is designed to enable participants to achieve self-sufficiency through employment.
If you are a CalWORKs recipient and able-bodied, you must participate in WTW activities to continue to receive cash aid. The county will decide if you must participate in WTW
If you are a Mandatory Participant, you must:
- Keep appointments made by WTW
- Not quit your job or lower your earnings
- Attend and take part in your WTW assignment
- Make satisfactory progress in your assignment and provide proof of your progress when required
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
WTW PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
You will be assigned to WTW activities for 20, 30, or 35 hours per week, every week. If you get a job and are not working for 20, 30, or 35 hours each week, you will be required to go to your job and participate in other WTW activities to make sure you are participating the required number of hours.
During your first meeting with your Employment Services Worker, you and your Employment Services Worker will review some of the following information:
- Your rights and responsibilities as a participant, learn more about your responsibilities
- Discuss your ability to participate
- Your work history and education
- Need for supportive services such as childcare and transportation
- Other barriers that may be preventing you from locating or maintaining full-time employment