While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to low-income families. The goal of TANF is to help families become financially self-sufficient. States and U.S. Territories receive block grants from the federal government, which are used to fund each state and territory’s specific TANF program.
Learn more about the TANF program and its primary purposes here.
In California, the TANF program is known as CalWORKs in California. To learn more about CalWORKs and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the California CalWORKs website here.
CalWORKs in California provides temporary assistance to financially support families in need. The CalWORKs program also provides eligible families with work preparation services to help them re-enter the workforce or find more stable employment through Welfare-to-Work activities.
The program also helps with childcare costs. Cal-Learn is a statewide program under the CalWORKs program that encourages teens to earn a high school diploma or its equivalent.
For more information on the services the CalWORKs program provides to participating families, review the CalWORKs Child Care page here, the Cal-Learn page here and the CalWORKs Program Fact Sheet here.
CalWORKs and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the California Department of Social Services. While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CalWORKs benefits are financial benefits that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions.
To learn more about the restrictions on CalWORKs expenditures, review the section “Where I CANNOT use my EBT card!” here.
Both CalWORKs and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, CalWORKs benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM. Food Assistance benefits cannot.
Many CalWORKs participants also qualify for Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
To apply for Food Assistance and/or CalWORKs, visit California’s benefits website here.
If you have questions about CalWORKs or Food Assistance, call the Department of Social Services at (916) 651-8848.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household size, the region of California where they live and if they qualify for an exemption from Welfare-to-Work activities.
| CalWORKs Maximum Grant Amounts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | |||
| Family Size | Exempt | Non-Exempt | Exempt | Non-Exempt |
| 1 | $638 | $579 | $607 | $548 |
| 2 | $819 | $733 | $778 | $696 |
| 3 | $1,035 | $925 | $984 | $878 |
| 4 | $1,244 | $1,116 | $1,181 | $1,060 |
| 5 | $1,458 | $1,308 | $1,386 | $1,243 |
| 6 | $1,673 | $1,499 | $1,590 | $1,425 |
| 7 | $1,887 | $1,691 | $1,792 | $1,607 |
| 8 | $2,104 | $1,883 | $1,999 | $1,789 |
| 9 | $2,316 | $2,074 | $2,200 | $1,971 |
| 10 | $2,534 | $2,266 | $2,407 | $2,152 |
Families can receive these benefits for up to 48 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about CalWORKs and benefit amounts in California here.
To qualify for CalWORKs in California, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements and work and training requirements here.
Caretakers of children who cannot be taken care of by their immediate family may also qualify for benefits under the Caretaker Relative Grant or Child-Only CalWORKs Grant. This grant takes into consideration the situation of emergency caregivers and will only count the resources and the income of the child (if any) and not those of the caretaker.
To learn more about who can receive CalWORKs benefits, click here.
Before you apply for CalWORKs in California, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the CalWORKs eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the California Department of Social Services website here.
To apply for CalWORKs online, create an account on California’s benefits website here and fill out the virtual application form.
To apply for CalWORKs in person, click here to find the nearest California County Social Services Agency office location.
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the California Department of Social Services at (916) 651-8848 or send an email to piar@dss.ca.gov.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for CalWORKs online or in person, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Social Services within 45 days of receiving your application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits.
If you're approved, your CalWORKs benefits will be deposited either the second or third of the following month whether you choose direct deposit into your bank account of an EBT card, which will arrive in the mail. Once you receive your benefits, you can use them to support your family as you see fit, while following the restrictions.
Note that if you receive an EBT card, you can only withdraw cash from ATMs that display the MoneyPass four times a month for free. After four withdrawals or after using an ATM without the MoneyPass sign, you will have a surcharge-fee.
Learn more information about how to use your EBT card and how benefits will be distributed here.
If you require additional assistance or have questions about your determination, call (916) 651-8848.
If you do not agree with the CalWORKs benefit decision given to you by the California Department of Social Services, you can appeal your decision online, by phone, in person, by mail and by fax within 30 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal online, click here.
To request a hearing or to find out about the status of your appeal by phone, call (800) 743-8525.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Social Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.
To file a claim by mail or fax, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail or fax.
You can mail your appeal to a local Department of Social Services office. Find your nearest location here. Or, you can mail it to:
California Department of Social Services
State Hearings Division
P.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-37
Sacramento, CA 94244
You can fax your appeal to (833) 281-0905.
For more information on the appeal process, click here.
For help with obtaining CalWORKs in California, or for any further questions about your application, call the California Department of Social Services at (916) 651-8848. You can also send your inquiries via email to piar@dss.ca.gov.
To send the California Department of Social Services information physically, you can mail your documents or questions to the following address:
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
You can also visit or call a local County Social Services Agency Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
For Child Care Assistance, call (800) 543-7791.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free TANF Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.