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1. Do I have to have children to be eligible to CalWORKs?

Yes. You must have a child under the age of 18 or a child age 18 who is expected to graduate high school prior to their 19th birthday residing with you. In addition you may be eligible if you are in your second trimester of your pregnancy. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

2. Do I have to be a US citizen to be eligible?

No, CalWORKs recipients must be either U.S citizens or have legal alien status. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

3. How much cash assistance can I receive?

The amount of assistance a family can receive each month depends upon many factors. The number of eligible family members, their special needs, the household income and values of real and personal property all affect the cash aid total. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

4. What if I have a cash emergency?

If you have a cash emergency, you may apply for an Immediate Need payment when you apply for CalWORKs. Tell your Eligibility Worker you have the emergency. Immediate Need payments may be available to families in emergency situations while the CalWORKs application is being processed. The maximum immediate need payment is $200. If you are apparently eligible for the CalWORKs program you may be eligible for an Immediate Need Payment, within 24 hours, based on an emergency situation that may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Lack of housing
• Pending eviction
• Lack of food
• Utility shutoff notice
• Transportation
• Clothing needs
• Other immediate health and safety issues

For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

5. 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 do 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.

For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

6. If I receive Supplemental Security Income / State Supplemental Paymentam I eligible for CalWORKs?

No. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income / State Supplemental Payment (SSI / SSP), you already receive a cash form of public assistance and are not eligible for CalWORKs. You may apply for other household members who do not receive SSI / SSP. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

7. If I am approved to receive benefits, how do I access them?

You may choose to have your payments issued either on a plastic debit card or directly to your bank account each month. Most families have their benefits automatically deposited during the first three days of each month on a plastic debit card called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Your EBT card lets you access your benefits at Point of Sale (POS) devices in stores or at Automated Teller Machines (ATM). If you select Direct Deposit your monthly benefits are placed directly in your checking or savings account at your own bank each month. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

8. What happens if my Electronic Bank Transfer card is not working?

Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) cards do not work for various reasons, such as the card may not be active, or there are no remaining benefits. You may call your Eligibility Worker or 877-328-9677 for assistance.

9. What if I have lost my Electronic Bank Transfer card?

Call 877-328-9677 to report your card lost or stolen immediately. At this time you may also request a new card be mailed to you. If you need a new card right away contact your Eligibility Worker or go to 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Building A to obtain a new card.

10. What if I don’t think I am eligible, can I still apply?

Yes, you may apply for CalWORKs at any time. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

11. How do I know how much money I have left on my card?

Call 877-328-9677 to request information on the balance on your card. You may also register through the EBT website to obtain this information.

12. What about help with food and health care?

Eligible CalWORKs families qualify for Medi-Cal and most can get food assistance. The CalFresh Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) is intended as a supplement to the household budget to help the family meet their food needs. Medi-Cal will pay for most of the family’s health care costs unless there is other medical coverage. The family can decline food stamps if they don’t want or need the help. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

13. How do I let the County know about a change in my family circumstances?

Semi-Annual Reporting Households

The parent(s) or relative caring for a child receiving CalWORKs is required to complete a SAR 7 every six months if you are a Semi-Annual Reporting household. The information on this report helps to determine continued eligibility to CalWORKs and the amount of the monthly cash aid. The report has questions about the family’s income, property, people moving into or out of the home, and other changes that occur in the household. To view this report, click View this report.  Get help completing this report.

Most changes to the family situation can wait until the Semi-Annual Status report is completed. There are some changes that are mandatory to report within ten (10) days of when the change becomes known to the family. These mandatory reported items can be reported in person, verbally or in writing. Although these changes are reported within 10 days they must ALSO be reported on the Semi-Annual status report. Items that must be reported within ten (10) days include:

• Becoming a fleeing felon
• Violating conditions of probation or parole
• Address changes
• Income exceeding the Income Reporting Threshold

To report any changes in writing, you can use the mid period report form. View this form.

Annual Reporting Households

The parent(s) or relative caring for a child receiving CalWORKs is required to complete an annual renewal once a year if you are a Annual Reporting household. The information received during this renewal helps to determine continued eligibility to CalWORKs and the amount of the monthly cash aid.

Most changes to the family situation can wait until the annual renewal is completed. There are some changes that are mandatory to report within ten (10) days of when the change becomes known to the family. These mandatory reported items can be reported in person, verbally or in writing. Although these changes are reported within 10 days they must also be reported during the annual renewal.

Items that must be reported within ten (10) days include:

• Becoming a fleeing felon
• Violating conditions of probation or parole
• Address changes
• Income exceeding the Income Reporting Threshold
• Someone has moved into or out of your home

To report any changes in writing, you can use the Mid Year Status Report. To view this form, click View this form. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

14. What is my Income Reporting Threshold (IRT)?

The Income reporting threshold is the level of income in which a family receives that is required to report to the Eligibility Worker. This level can be reached with any combination of gross earned (i.e. salary) or unearned income (i.e. Unemployment, Disability Benefits, Child Support).

Information about your Income Reporting threshold will be provided to you each semi-annual period as well as any time the amount changes. It is important that you review this information and know the level at which you must report. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.