CalWORKs processing time after submitting verification docs + payment amount for family of 5?

After you submit all verification documents, it typically takes 7-10 business days for them to process everything and make a decision. This can vary by county though - some process faster while others might take the full 30 days they're technically allowed. For a family of 5 in 2025, the maximum CalWORKs grant amount would be around $1,356, but since you're working part-time, they'll calculate something called the "earned income disregard" where they don't count the first $450 of income, then reduce your grant by 50 cents for every dollar you earn after that. So with your income, you'd probably get somewhere between $700-900 in Cash Aid depending on your exact earnings and any other income sources. Make sure they process your childcare assistance application too - that's often overlooked but super important if you're working!

they took almost 3 WEEKS with mine even after i submitted everything!!!! kept sayin they needed to "verify" stuff that i already gave them 🙄 the county is so slow and they dont care if ur rent is due. make sure u call and bug them every few days or they'll just let ur application sit there

I used this service called Claimyr to get through to an actual person at my county office when I was in a similar situation last month. You just go to claimyr.com and they'll call the office for you and get you connected with an actual worker instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - totally worth it because I was able to check on my documents and they found out they were missing one of my pay stubs that I definitely submitted. Got approved two days later!

my sister got calworks for her and her 4 kids i think she gets like $1500 a month but shes not working at all. they calculate it weird if ur working

When I submitted my verification docs last year, they told me 30 days but approved me in 2 weeks. HOWEVER I had to call them 5 times because they kept saying they were "missing" documents I KNOW I submitted!!! So frustrating!!! Write down EVERYTHING you submit and get receipts if possible!!! The system is designed to discourage people I swear. As for family of 5, I'm a family of 3 and get about $800/month with part-time income similar to yours. But I think they increased the amounts for 2025 so you should get more.

Just to clarify some important points: 1) Processing time: Counties have up to 30 days from your application date to make a determination, but typically complete it sooner if all verification is submitted. Always follow up if it's been more than 10 business days. 2) Family of 5 payment: The maximum aid payment (MAP) for a family of 5 in 2025 with no income is approximately $1,356, but this will be reduced based on your reported earnings using the earned income disregard formula. 3) Childcare assistance: As a CalWORKs participant who is working, you absolutely qualify for childcare assistance! This is called "Child Care Payment Program" and covers most or all of your childcare costs. You need to complete a CCP 1 form - ask your worker about this immediately! 4) Backdating: Yes, they will backdate your benefits to the application date if you're approved, so you won't lose money due to processing delays. I recommend calling your county office to confirm they received all your documents and to specifically ask about childcare assistance, as this is often overlooked.

calworks has gotten worse with processing times since covid i swear. took them 25 days for me and i kept getting different answers every time i called. one person said they had everything then next person said they were missing stuff. its like they dont even look at ur file b4 talking to u. and for family of 5 payment my neighbor gets like $1100 i think for her and 4 kids but she works a little bit

I just wanted to follow up on the childcare question since it's important. The CalWORKs Child Care Program has three stages: Stage 1: When you're just starting CalWORKs and working/in training Stage 2: When you've been stable on CalWORKs for a while Stage 3: When you no longer receive Cash Aid but still need childcare (for up to 24 months) You'll start in Stage 1, and there's no separate income test - if you qualify for CalWORKs and are working, you qualify for childcare assistance. The program will pay your childcare provider directly. You'll need to find a provider that accepts CalWORKs payments (most do), and complete the CCP 1 form. This benefit is incredibly valuable - it can cover full-time childcare costs that would otherwise be $1,000+ per month for your 1-year-old!

Regarding your question about family childcare providers - yes, CalWORKs can pay a family member (like your sister) as a license-exempt provider, though the rate is lower than for licensed providers. Your sister would need to complete a background check and some basic health and safety requirements. Also, I noticed in your original post you mentioned a family of 5 with your partner. Just to clarify, if your partner is the biological parent of any of your children, their income will also be counted in calculating your grant amount, even if they recently lost their job. If they received any unemployment benefits, that would be counted as well. For the fastest resolution, I strongly recommend trying to speak directly with your worker to confirm everything is in order rather than waiting and hoping. Processing can sometimes get stuck on small issues that could be resolved quickly.

If you're struggling to get through on the phone, definitely try Claimyr. I've used it three times now for different benefit issues and always got through to someone who could actually help. The last time I called normally, I was on hold for TWO HOURS and then got disconnected! With Claimyr I was talking to a worker in about 10 minutes. Huge difference.

Hey Alana! I just went through this same process about 6 weeks ago with my family of 4. A few quick tips that might help: 1) Call first thing in the morning (like 8:00-8:30 AM) - I had way better luck getting through then vs afternoon when lines are swamped. 2) Keep a log of every call you make with date/time and who you spoke with. This saved me when they claimed I never called about missing documents. 3) Ask for your worker's direct extension if possible - some counties allow this and it bypasses the main phone tree. 4) If you submitted everything in person, there should be a case number on any paperwork they gave you. Use that when calling to help them locate your file faster. The waiting is the worst part, especially when rent is looming. But most people I know got approved within 2-3 weeks once they had all docs. Hang in there! And definitely ask about that childcare assistance - it's a game changer for working parents.

Hi Alana! I went through CalWORKs approval last year and wanted to share what worked for me. The processing time really varies - I got approved in 12 days but my friend in the same county took almost a month because they kept "losing" her documents. A few things that helped me: - I made copies of EVERYTHING before submitting and kept them in a folder - I got the worker's name and wrote down the date/time I submitted docs - I called every 3-4 days to check status (annoying but necessary!) For payment amounts, I have 3 kids and was working about 15 hours/week at $16/hour. I ended up getting around $950/month in cash aid. The calculation is confusing but basically they don't count your first $450 in earnings, then reduce your grant by half of whatever you earn above that. Also - and this is SUPER important - make sure you ask about CalFresh (food stamps) if you haven't already applied! That's separate from CalWORKs and can add another $500-800/month for a family your size. And yes, definitely ask about childcare assistance - that program literally saved me hundreds per month! Don't let them rush you or make you feel like you're bothering them. This is YOUR benefit and you have every right to know what's happening with your case. Good luck!

Hey Alana! Just wanted to add a few things that might help since I recently went through this process with my 3 kids: For CalFresh, you can absolutely apply while your CalWORKs is pending! In fact, you can often do both applications at the same time at the same office - they're both handled by the county social services department. CalFresh usually processes faster too (like 7-10 days) so you might get that approved first which can help with groceries while you wait for the cash aid. One thing nobody mentioned - if you're really tight on money before approval, ask about "expedited CalFresh" when you apply. If your household has less than $150 in resources and your monthly income is less than your rent/mortgage, you can get CalFresh within 3 days. This was a lifesaver for me when I was waiting for everything to go through. Also, when you call tomorrow, ask specifically if your case has been assigned to a worker yet and try to get their direct number. Some counties are better about this than others, but having a direct contact makes everything so much easier than going through the main line every time. The whole system is frustrating but hang in there - once you get approved and everything is set up (cash aid, CalFresh, childcare assistance), it really does help take some of the financial pressure off while you get back on your feet. You've got this! 💪

Hey Alana! I'm in a really similar situation - just applied for CalWORKs last month with my 2 kids after my hours got cut at work. The whole process is so stressful when you're worried about rent! A few things that helped me get through it: 1) I found out my county has a "customer service portal" online where you can check your case status and upload additional documents if needed. Ask if yours has something similar - it was way easier than calling. 2) When I did need to call, I had better luck calling right at lunch time (like 12:00-12:30) when fewer people are calling. The morning rush was always busy but midday was quieter. 3) Make sure to ask about emergency assistance if you're at risk of eviction! Some counties have one-time emergency rental assistance that can help while your regular benefits are processing. The waiting is torture but most people I know got approved within 2-3 weeks once all docs were in. And definitely apply for CalFresh ASAP - that approval came through in like 5 days for me and helped so much with groceries while waiting for everything else. You're doing great advocating for your family. The system is confusing but there are people (like everyone here) who want to help you navigate it! Keep us updated on how it goes! ❤️

Hi Alana! I'm so glad you found this community - everyone here has given you amazing advice! I went through CalWORKs approval about 8 months ago and just wanted to add one more thing that really helped me. If you're worried about making rent in 2 weeks, definitely ask about the "immediate need" or emergency assistance programs when you call tomorrow. My county had something called CAL-LEA (California Low-Income Energy Assistance) that helped with utilities, and some counties also have emergency rental assistance funds specifically for families waiting on benefit approvals. Also, when you go apply for CalFresh tomorrow, bring a rent receipt or lease if you have it - this helps prove your housing costs for the expedited processing that Aiden mentioned. The 3-day expedited CalFresh was honestly what kept us fed while waiting for everything else to process. One last tip - if you can, try to go to the office about 30 minutes before they open and be one of the first people in line. The workers are usually less rushed early in the day and more willing to take time explaining programs like the childcare assistance. You're handling this really well and asking all the right questions. The system is overwhelming but you've got a great support network here! Sending positive thoughts that everything processes quickly for you! 🤞✨

Hi Alana! I just wanted to chime in as someone who works at a county social services office (different county, but the processes are pretty similar across California). A few insider tips that might help: 1) When you go in tomorrow, ask to speak with a supervisor if the front desk staff can't give you specific information about your case status. Sometimes the eligibility workers have better access to real-time case updates. 2) Bring your ID and ask them to print you a "case summary" or "application status report" - this will show exactly what documents they have on file and what (if anything) is still pending. This prevents the "we're missing documents" runaround that others mentioned. 3) For the emergency rental assistance, the specific program to ask about is called "Cal-OES" (California Office of Emergency Services) rental relief, and many counties still have ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) funds available. 4) Your CalFresh application can definitely be processed simultaneously - ask them to "link" your cases so when one updates, they both get reviewed. The childcare assistance is huge - don't let them gloss over it. Insist on getting the CCP-1 form and ask about "transitional childcare" which can continue even after you get stable employment and no longer need cash aid. You're doing everything right by being proactive. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these programs, unfortunately. Keep advocating for yourself! 💪