Show All Answers

1. Do I have to have children to be eligible for the Welfare to Work program?

Yes, you must be in receipt of CalWORKs / TANF benefits to be eligible for the program. See CalWORKs to find out more information about eligibility requirements. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

2. What if I am told I have to participate but I am unable to?

You may qualify from an exemption from the program. There are many reasons someone could be exempt. Some of those reasons include:

• Mental or physical disability that will last longer than 30 days
• Caring for an Ill or Incapacitated Member of the household
• Being pregnant and the pregnancy impairs your ability to participate
• Victim of domestic violence
• Having a child aged 0 to 23 months old (once in a lifetime exemption)

If you feel that you have one of the above reasons or would like to discuss a reason not listed with your worker, contact your Employment Services Worker to request an exemption or turn in an Exemption Request form. Your Employment Services Worker will discuss the issues with you and may require additional verification of your claim. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

3. If I get a job, how will what I earn affect my benefits?

CalWORKs can still help you, even if you become employed. Working families receive certain deductions from their earnings, so they may still qualify for cash aid. Some people choose to stop their case if they make enough to reduce their grant substantially, so they can save their “Once-in-a-lifetime” 48 months Time Limits for future emergencies. Even if you are no longer eligible to CalWORKs, or choose to stop your case, you may still receive CalFresh and Medi-Cal for your family. You may also qualify for Job Retention Services. Ask your Employment Services Worker for more information.
Now that you have earnings, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. View more information.
Learn more about how Work Pays!

4. What happens if I do not participate?

If for any reason, you do not do what Welfare to Work (WTW) requires, the following steps will be taken.
You have the chance to explain why you did not meet your WTW requirements. Your Employment Services Worker will then decide if you had a good reason.

Your family’s cash aid will be lowered if:

• You fail or refuse to meet WTW requirements without a good reason
• You do not resolve the problem by signing and completing a plan to do what is required

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

5. How do I cure my sanction?

You need to request to cure your sanction from your Employment Services Worker either verbally or in writing by completing and turning in the Welfare to Work (WTW) 31 - Request to Stop a WTW Sanction. Your Employment Services Worker will then meet with you to discuss your plan and required activities to lift your financial sanction.

6. What will I do with my children while I am participating?

When you are enrolled in WTW, you are eligible for assistance with child care, transportation, and other expenses. You have the freedom to choose your own child care provider. Our child care referral agency is Community Resources for Children (CRC). This agency can provide you with a list of licensed child centers and family day care homes. This is a referral service only. You will need to discuss your child care needs with your Employment Services Worker. If you have a unlicensed friend or family member in mind to provide child care, this may be possible. Please review the TrustLine brochure to obtain more information and work with your case manager and CRC to ensure this is an allowable and good fit. For more information, contact us at 707-253-4511.

7. I need help with mileage or transportation to participate in my activity; can I get help with this?

Bus tokens or passes are available to any participant who needs help getting around. Mileage may also be available if you own or have use of a vehicle. Contact your Employment Services Worker to discuss your transportation needs.

For more information, contact Self Sufficiency Services at 707-253-4511.

8. What are the limits?

• You can only receive cash aid for in California for a total lifetime limit of 48 months
• Effective January 1, 2013 a new 24-Month Time Clock has been created for Welfare-to-Work during which non-exempt CW recipients can participate in various work and education related activities and receive the necessary supportive services to become employed and self-sufficient
•  Once the WTW 24-Month Time Clock is exhausted, in order to continue receiving CalWORKs, WTW participants will be required to meet federal work standards.

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