How much income is used to calculate the CalWORKs cash aid amount?

The goal of CalWORKs is to provide cash aid to meet basic needs while a family moves toward increased self-sufficiency through employment. Benefits may not stop simply because a family member becomes employed.

Usually the amount of cash aid goes down as a family’s income increases. However, earned income is not counted dollar for dollar against the CalWORKs maximum aid payment. Certain earned income deductions are allowed that reduce the income used to calculate the cash aid amount to less than half the gross amount.

Some income, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is never used, while all of other income such as Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) is counted. Student grants and loans are usually not used but some Veteran’s Administration (VA) school grants are counted minus the costs of books and tuition.

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1. Do I have to have children to be eligible to CalWORKs?
2. Do I have to be a US citizen to be eligible?
3. What if I have a cash emergency?
4. How much income is used to calculate the CalWORKs cash aid amount?
5. If I receive Supplemental Security Income / State Supplemental Paymentam I eligible for CalWORKs?
6. If I am approved to receive benefits, how do I access them?
7. What happens if my Electronic Bank Transfer card is not working?
8. What if I have lost my Electronic Bank Transfer card?