CalWORKs eligibility with 100% P&T disability for family of 5 - also receiving CalFresh and Medi-Cal

You might qualify for CalWORKs, but it depends on your total household income. VA disability payments DO count as income for CalWORKs eligibility, unlike for some other programs. For a family of 5, the income limit is pretty low - around $1,698 monthly after deductions. If your husband's 100% P&T disability pays more than that (which it likely does), you probably wouldn't qualify for the cash assistance part. However, I'd still recommend applying because you might qualify for other supportive services through CalWORKs even if you don't get the cash aid portion. And applying for CalWORKs won't negatively affect your existing CalFresh or Medi-Cal benefits.

my brother has 100% PT and they told him no for calworks bc his VA pay was too much. they still let him keep calfresh and medical though so dont worry about losing those

With 100% P&T VA disability, you should look into these options instead of CalWORKs since your income will likely be too high: 1. CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants) if anyone in your household isn't a citizen 2. Housing assistance programs - many counties have special programs for veterans with disabilities 3. Diaper assistance program if you have children under 3 4. Check with CalVet about additional state benefits for 100% disabled veterans 5. CalFresh supplements - some counties have additional food assistance Definitely don't worry about losing your CalFresh or Medi-Cal by applying for other programs. They're separate eligibility determinations.

i get 90% disability and my family still qualifys for calworks but just a small amount like $112/month. the lady at the office told me they count VA disability different than SSI. you should still apply becuase the worst they can say is no but they might give u something. do u get dependecy benefits to for the kids from VA?

I tried calling our county office about a similar situation (80% disability though, not 100%) and was on hold for literally 2 hours before getting disconnected. So frustrating! I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to a real person in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE When I finally spoke to someone, they told me that even though we didn't qualify for the cash aid part of CalWORKs with my husband's VA disability, we were eligible for their childcare assistance program which has been a HUGE help. Definitely worth applying even if you don't get the cash aid part.

VA DISABILITY DONT COUNT AS INCOME FOR CALFRESH OR MEDICAL!!!! But it DOES count for calworks! its so stupid how they count it for some things and not others. your prolly not gonna get cash aid but they can still help with other stuff like others said.

Since your husband has 100% P&T disability, you should specifically ask about the Welfare to Work exemption if you do apply for CalWORKs. In many cases, families with a disabled parent can be exempt from the work requirements even if they receive some benefits. Also, definitely check if your county has a Veterans Services Office - they often have additional resources specifically for veteran families that most eligibility workers don't know about. One thing to note: If you're receiving VA Aid & Attendance in addition to the base disability, that portion is sometimes treated differently, so make sure to clarify all sources of your income when you apply.

I wanted to add one important thing - if you apply for CalWORKs and get denied due to income, make sure to get that denial in writing. That denial letter can actually help you qualify for other programs that give preference to families who've been denied CalWORKs. This includes certain housing assistance programs and some county-specific benefits. Also, since your children are young, definitely ask specifically about the diaper stipend ($30 per month per child under 3) and childcare assistance. Even families who don't qualify for the cash aid portion of CalWORKs can sometimes still access these supplemental benefits.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned from my own experience. My family was in a similar situation - we have a disabled veteran with 90% rating and were receiving CalFresh and Medi-Cal. When we applied for CalWORKs, we didn't qualify for cash aid due to income limits, but we were approved for several other benefits including childcare assistance and transportation vouchers for medical appointments. One tip I wish someone had told me earlier: when you apply, specifically ask about ALL the CalWORKs supportive services, not just cash aid. The eligibility worker might not automatically tell you about everything you could qualify for. Also, the application process took about 6 weeks in our county, so don't expect immediate results. Your existing benefits (CalFresh and Medi-Cal) are completely protected - applying for CalWORKs cannot negatively impact them at all. Good luck with your application!

I work as a benefits coordinator and wanted to add some clarification about the income limits that might be helpful. For CalWORKs, they use a "net income" calculation after certain deductions. With VA disability of $3,738 plus dependent benefits, you're likely over the gross limit, but there are some deductions they can apply like work-related expenses if you're employed, certain medical costs, etc. Even if you don't qualify for cash aid, I'd strongly recommend applying because: 1. Stage 1 childcare can cover up to 75% of childcare costs 2. Cal-Learn program if you're pursuing education 3. Mental health services and substance abuse counseling (if needed) 4. Job training programs that might benefit your family long-term The key is being very specific about what services you're interested in when you apply. Don't just ask about "CalWORKs" - ask about "CalWORKs supportive services for families with disabled veterans." The terminology can make a big difference in what information you receive.

I'm also new to this community and wanted to share what we discovered when navigating similar benefits with my husband's disability status. One thing that really helped us was contacting our local Family Resource Center - they often have advocates who specialize in helping veteran families navigate the maze of different benefit programs and income counting rules. What surprised me most was learning that some counties have their own additional programs for veteran families that aren't widely advertised. Our county had an emergency assistance fund specifically for disabled veterans' families that helped us with a security deposit when we had to move due to rent increases. Also, since you mentioned struggling with rent increases - definitely look into your county's Emergency Rental Assistance program if you haven't already. Many of these programs have separate eligibility criteria from CalWORKs and don't count VA disability the same way. We were able to get help with back rent even though we didn't qualify for ongoing cash assistance. The application process can feel overwhelming, but don't let that discourage you from exploring all your options. Every bit of assistance helps when you're trying to make ends meet with a growing family.