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Cal-works at BenefitsCal. Together, we benefit.

Cal-works at BenefitsCal. Together, we benefit.

Phone number
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Category
Money
Auto tags
Eligibility
Low-income families with at least one child in the home; eligibility based on citizenship, age, income, resources and assets
Auto Summary
CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) provides cash aid to families with at least one child in the home to help pay for rent, housing, food, clothing, medical payments, and utilities. Additional cash aid programs include General Assistance/General Relief for single adults, Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP), and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA). Families with little cash on hand may qualify based on citizenship, age, income, resources, and assets.
Value
$
Espanol
CalWORKs en BenefitsCal. Juntos, nos beneficiamos.
URL
https://benefitscal.com/Help/program/calworks/HCPDE
Last verified 2026-05-17. Cash aid amounts are the rates that took effect October 1, 2025.
CalWORKs gives cash each month to families with at least one child at home. You can use it for rent, food, clothes, utilities, and other basics. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com or at your county welfare office. [Source: cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calworks-summary (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who qualifies

  • You have at least one child under 18 living with you (or you are pregnant).
  • Your family's income and savings are low.
  • You are a U.S. citizen, lawful resident, or in another eligible status. Some non-citizens still qualify under California rules.
  • You live in California.
You don't need to be working to apply. Adults who can work will be signed up for Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities. [Source: cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calworks-summary (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How much you get

Cash aid depends on family size, income, and which region you live in. Region 1 covers urban counties (LA, Bay Area, San Diego, etc.). Nevada County is in Region 2. These are the maximum monthly grants for a family with no other income, in effect since October 1, 2025:
Family size
Region 1 (non-exempt)
Region 2 (non-exempt)
1
$735
$700
2
$931
$886
3
$1,177
$1,120
4
$1,418
$1,350
5
$1,661
$1,581
6
$1,905
$1,814
"Exempt" families (with a parent who can't work due to disability, age, or caring for a young child) get a slightly higher amount. If you have any earnings, the county subtracts $600 from your monthly earned income before counting the rest, so most working families still get a partial grant. [Source: ehsd.org/benefit-programs/calworks-cash-aid/calworks-fact-sheet (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply

  1. Go to BenefitsCal.com and create an account. One application also screens you for CalFresh (food) and Medi-Cal (health).
  1. Fill out the application. You don't need every document up front — submit what you have.
  1. Do the interview by phone with a county worker. They will tell you what's still missing.
  1. Send in documents through BenefitsCal, by mail, or in person.
In Nevada County, you can also apply or get help at Health and Human Services: 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City — (530) 265-1340. [Source: mynevadacounty.com/2202/CalWORKs (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Documents that help

You don't need all of these to apply, but they speed things up:
  • ID: driver's license, state ID, passport, or school photo ID.
  • Birth/citizenship: birth certificate, passport, or USCIS papers for anyone in the household.
  • Where you live: rental agreement, utility bill, or a letter from someone you stay with.
  • Income: last month of pay stubs, a letter from your employer, child support records, unemployment or SSI award letters.
  • Bills and resources: rent or mortgage, utilities, child care costs, bank statements, car registration.
  • Kids: shot records for kids under 6 (or a written reason why they're missing).
If you're a survivor of human trafficking, domestic violence, or another serious crime, there are extra protections and a separate program (TCVAP). Tell the worker — you don't have to share details you're not ready to share.

Time limits and work rules

  • Adults have a 60-month lifetime limit on cash aid. Some months don't count (for example, while caring for an infant or in approved training).
  • Kids can keep getting the child-only portion of the grant even after the adult's 60 months run out.
  • Once approved, you'll meet with a WTW worker about job search, school, or training. Child care for kids under 13 is covered while you participate.
[Source: lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4969 (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Other cash aid you may qualify for

When you apply on BenefitsCal you may also be screened for:
  • General Assistance / General Relief (GA/GR) — for adults with no kids. In Nevada County, apply through the county at (530) 265-1340.
  • Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) — for people with refugee, asylee, or similar status during their first months in the U.S.
  • Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) — cash aid for survivors who don't yet qualify for federal benefits.

Common pitfalls

  • Missing your interview. The county will mail or call about an appointment. If you miss it, the case can close. Call back the same day if you can.
  • Not reporting income changes. You only have to report mid-period if your income goes over your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) — the county will tell you that number. Otherwise, report at your semi-annual SAR-7.
  • Letting Medi-Cal lapse. CalWORKs gets you Medi-Cal automatically. If your cash aid ends, your Medi-Cal usually continues — but check your mail and respond to renewal notices.

Where to get help

  • BenefitsCal help line: 1-855-816-6166
  • Nevada County HHSA: (530) 265-1340 — 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City
  • Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC): 1-800-660-6107 — free legal help with denials and appeals
  • 211 — dial 2-1-1 for local food, rent, and utility help while your application is pending