The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) program provides financial aid for children who lack financial support and care, additionally, the program promotes and encourages employment to enable families to become self-sufficient.
Eligibility Factors:
Basic eligibility factors for a child(ren) and a needy parent(s) or caretaker relative include:
Deprivation: The aided child must be deprived of parental support or care because at least one parent is: deceased; or either physically or mentally incapacitated; or the applicant parent is not working or is working less than 100 hours per month; or continually absent from the home.
Age: Children may be eligible for CalWORKs until their 18th birthday, or 18 years old and in high school or vocational school full-time and expected to complete their program before their 19th birthday.
Property: The total property of a child(ren) and the parent(s) must be under the following limits:
Families without elderly members (60 years of age or older) may have $10,888 combined personal and real property per family. Families with elderly members may have $16,333 combined personal and real property per family.
The family home is exempt from the property limits, provided the family lives in the home. One automobile valued up to $32,045 is exempt. Any amount in excess of the $25,483 is counted in the personal property limit calculation. Furniture, clothing and appliances are also exempt.
Residence: There are no durational residency requirements for the CalWORKs program. Families who reside in California and who intend to remain in California may be eligible. Eligible family members must be legal residents of the United States.
CalWORKs Time Limits:
CalWORKs has a 60-month/5-year cumulative time limit for receipt of cash aid and requires adults in the family to meet certain work participation requirements.
Diversion Assistance:
Diversion Assistance is designed to help families avoid aid and long-term dependency. If the family is found to be eligible for cash assistance, the worker may offer Diversion Assistance rather than CalWORKS. To receive Diversion, there must be a sound plan for immediate self-support.
School Attendance & Immunization Requirements:
CalWORKs regulations require that all school-age children attend school regularly. It is the responsibility of the parent. If a child 16-18 is deemed by the school district to be a chronic truant, that child is removed from the cash grant.
Families receiving CalWORKs cash aid are required to obtain immunizations for all pre-school children (birth through 6 years of age). Parents must provide written proof of their child’s immunization records. A parent who does not give the county this proof may be penalized, and his/her needs will be removed from the cash grant.
How to Apply:
There are five CalWORKs offices located throughout Contra Costa County. For information on your eligibility to CalWORKs, call (866) 663-3225.
| East County | Central County | West County |
|---|---|---|
| 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard Antioch, CA 94509 | 400 Ellinwood Way Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | 1305 Macdonald Avenue Richmond, CA 94801 |
| 151 Sand Creek Road Suite A, Building 6 Brentwood, CA 94513 | 151 Linus Pauling Drive Hercules, CA 94547 |
Offices in each location are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
See if you and your family might be eligible for CalWORKs Cash Aid and apply here
For more general information about CalWORKs in Contra Costa County please contact:
(866) 663-3225
Home Visiting Program
Home Visiting Program Flier: Eng | Esp
HVP is a free, in-home program matching families with trained professionals who make personal home visits during important early years of your child’s life. If you receive CalWORKs and are pregnant or have a child up to two years old, you may qualify. Contact your worker at one of our offices (see “how to apply” below). You can also learn more at Welcome Home Baby at First 5 Contra Costa and at Nurse-Family Partnership of Contra Costa Health Services.