CalWORKs Welfare to Work

Under the CalWORKs program, the Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program is required for most work eligible adults in the household that are receiving Cash Assistance (some exemptions apply depending on your situation). WTW offers many different services to help aided adults in your household become self-sufficient.

Case Management

Welfare-to-Work case management is designed to help aided adults engage in activities that guide them toward gainful employment and their goals. Our Employment and Training staff will work with you to create a plan that will help you achieve your goals. Your plan will include the activities, and/or services you will need to assist you in obtaining employment, like education, training, child care assistance, and job search services.

Exemptions:

Exempt persons do not have to participate in Welfare-to-Work to keep getting CalWORKs cash assistance. Exemptions are defined primarily as medical, but there are some other exemptions that persons may qualify for under certain circumstances.

Approved Welfare-to-Work activities include some of the following:

• Unsubsidized Employment
• Self-Employment
• Education
• Work Experience
• Community Service
• Job Search or Job Readiness
• Mental Health, Domestic Abuse, or Substance Abuse Services

Support Services

If required to participate, or are voluntarily participating in Welfare-to-Work activities, you can receive all necessary support services. Ancillary support services are advanced payments to providers, or business where goods, and services are being provided for you to participate in Welfare-to-Work. There are different rules that apply to each of these, so you must discuss these options with your Employment and Training Worker.

Supportive services include some of the following:

• Child care
• Transportation (bus passes, gas advances, mileage reimbursement etc.)
• Ancillary expenses (costs of books, tools, clothing for work or job searching, fees and other required costs)

Cal-Learn participants are eligible for support services in order for regular school attendance.