CalWORKs asset limit for Cash Aid eligibility in 2025 - did it increase?

The current asset limit for calworks is $10,000 for a family. ur car accident insurance money might count towards that but u should ask about exemptions. some types of lump sum payments are exempt for a period of time!!

The asset limit for CalWORKs Cash Aid is $10,000 for a household regardless of size. This increased a few years ago from the old $2,250 limit. Your situation is tricky because insurance payouts for specific purposes (like replacing a vehicle) can sometimes be exempt, but there are time limits on how long you have to use those funds for their intended purpose. You should specifically ask your caseworker about a "personal property exemption" for your insurance money, especially if you can document that it's specifically for vehicle replacement. Regarding your children's accounts - yes, unfortunately those would typically count toward your household's total resources unless they're in a specific type of restricted account like a 529 college savings plan.

my cousin got denied cuz she had like 5 grand in her bank they totaly count everything!! they even made her show bank statements from 3 months

I went through something similar last year when I got a settlement from a slip and fall. You need to be VERY CLEAR with your caseworker about what that money is for. Put it in writing! Tell them it's specifically for car replacement and medical expenses. If they still count it, ask for a supervisor immediately and request a hearing. They denied me at first but I fought it and won because the money was specifically for medical bills. Also, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Record names, dates, what was said. The system is designed to deny people and you have to advocate for yourself.

Have you been trying to reach your CalWORKs eligibility worker to discuss this? I had a similar issue with an inheritance and needed to talk to my worker ASAP. After wasting hours on hold, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person at the county office in like 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE With something complicated like exemptions for insurance money, you really need to talk to your specific worker, not just get general info. They might be able to code your insurance payout as exempt if you explain your situation properly. The rules have all these little exceptions that the general hotline people don't always know about.

To give you the most accurate information: CalWORKs currently has a $10,000 asset limit regardless of family size. This is correct as of 2025 and hasn't changed recently. However, there are important exemptions you should know about: 1. The value of one vehicle is completely exempt (no value limit) 2. Insurance payments for the purpose of replacing exempt property (like a car) can be exempted for up to 9 months 3. Children's educational accounts are exempt if they're in qualified plans You need to specifically tell your worker that the $12,500 is designated for replacing your vehicle from the accident. Request that they note this as "exempt property replacement funds" in your case. For your children's regular savings accounts, those unfortunately do count toward the $10,000 household limit unless they're specifically in educational trust accounts. Make sure to bring documentation showing the insurance payout was for the car specifically.

Yes, you're right. The asset limit was increased to $10,000 a few years ago. Before that, it was much lower (around $2,250 for most families). It was a significant change that helped many families qualify.

I just wanted to update everyone - I finally spoke with my eligibility worker yesterday! Turns out the insurance money CAN be exempt for up to 9 months if I document that it's specifically for replacing my vehicle. I showed them the insurance claim paperwork that specified it was for vehicle replacement, and they're processing my application now. I also learned that they're going to reassess after the 9 months if I haven't been able to purchase a replacement car by then. The worker said I should keep all documentation of my car shopping efforts to show I'm actively trying to use the money for its intended purpose. Thanks everyone for your help! This is such a relief as my temporary disability isn't enough to cover all our expenses.

thats awesome!!! the system is so confusin sometimes u never know what ur gonna get. glad u got a good worker who knew the rules!

So glad to hear you got approved! Your update will definitely help other people in similar situations. The 9-month exemption rule is something a lot of people don't know about. Just a heads up - if you're having trouble finding a car due to supply chain issues or high prices, make sure to document that too. Sometimes workers will extend the exemption period if you can show you've been genuinely trying but market conditions are preventing you from making a purchase. Keep receipts from any deposits you put down, screenshots of car listings you've looked at, even emails with dealers. The more paper trail you have, the better!

This thread has been so helpful to read! I'm in a similar situation - got a lump sum from workers comp and was worried it would disqualify me. Seeing how @Amina Toure was able to get the exemption by documenting the specific purpose gives me hope. I'm going to gather all my paperwork showing the settlement was for medical expenses and lost wages before I meet with my worker next week. It's frustrating that the rules are so complicated but at least there are exemptions if you know how to ask for them properly.