Can I get CalWORKs Cash Aid and CalFresh at the same time as a 19-year-old student with no income?

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Thank you for explaining! I didn't realize I could just add it to my existing application. What documents will I need to show that I don't have parental support? And how much could I potentially get as a single person with no kids?

i got both calworks and calfresh. they give you the money on same ebt card but its seprate money. the food stamps part only works for food but the cash part u can use for anything or get cash back at store. your school might count for your wtw hours but u gotta make sure

This is correct but also remember that If you are approved for CalWORKs, make SURE you turn in your SAR7 reports on time!! They'll cut both your benefits off if you miss the deadline (ask me how I know 😫). The county offices barely send reminders anymore.

To add to what others have said, since you're 19 and don't have parental support, you'll need to provide documentation proving your situation. This could include:- Proof of your student status (enrollment verification)- Documentation showing you're living independently- Possibly a statement explaining your lack of parental support- Any income information (even if it's zero)As a single adult without children, the CalWORKs benefit amount will be lower than what families receive, but it can still help. In 2025, a single-person household might receive around $550/month depending on your county.Also important: As a student, you should ask about the CalWORKs Student Services program at your college. Many California colleges have special support programs for CalWORKs students that provide additional resources like books, supplies, and counseling.

Thank you for this detailed information! I had no idea colleges had special CalWORKs programs. I'll definitely look into that at my school. Do you know if I'll need to do an interview for the CalWORKs part like I did for CalFresh?

You'll definitely need to do another interview for CalWORKs. When I applied, I kept getting disconnected every time I called to schedule my interview. After 3 days of frustration, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me connect with a real person at the CalWORKs office in under 5 minutes. You can see how it works in their video here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwESaved me hours of redialing! My interview was scheduled that same day and I had my benefits within a week.

Does that service really work? I've spent LITERALLY 4 hours on hold trying to reach someone about my WTW assignment and got disconnected twice. I'm going to try this tomorrow. Anything is better than the county phone system!

Be warned: CalWORKs has a 48-month LIFETIME limit!!! This is different from CalFresh. Once you use up your 48 months, you can never get Cash Aid again (with some exceptions). Also, unlike CalFresh, CalWORKs has strict Welfare to Work participation requirements. Not trying to discourage you - definitely apply if you need it! Just be aware of the time limit so you can plan accordingly and use those months when you really need them most.

I had no idea about the 48-month limit! That's really good to know. Maybe I should try to find part-time work soon so I don't use up my months... Thanks for the heads up about this!

i think u need to have a kid to get calworks cash aid? thats what my friend told me. its for familys with kids. but maybe its different if ur 19 and on ur own.

This is a common misconception! While many CalWORKs recipients are families with children, there are circumstances where individuals without children can qualify. At 19, being a full-time student without parental support, the OP may qualify under what's sometimes called the \

When i appled for calworks they wanted my FASFA information and made me get a form filled out by my school counseler. make sure you bring ALL ur school papers to the interview. they will ask for it!!! and they do check if ur going to class so dont lie about being full time.

I can totally relate to your situation! When I was 20 (last year), I applied for both programs while in college. Just be prepared - CalWORKs requires MONTHLY verification of your school attendance for the Welfare to Work program. I missed turning in my attendance sheet ONE TIME and they cut my benefits and I had to reapply all over again! 😡 The system is designed to trip people up, I swear.But definitely apply! The cash portion really saved me when I couldn't pay my electricity bill.

Oh wow, monthly verification sounds intense! I'm pretty organized with paperwork so hopefully I can keep up with that. Was it hard to get re-approved after they cut you off?

Since your post mentions you're a student, another important thing to know: Your financial aid can affect your CalWORKs eligibility and benefit amount. Certain educational grants and scholarships are exempt (like Pell Grants), but others might count as income. Make sure to report ALL your financial aid to your eligibility worker so they can determine what counts and what doesn't.Also, if approved for CalWORKs, you'll likely be assigned to a Welfare to Work case manager who can help you develop an education-focused welfare-to-work plan. This is actually helpful because they can sometimes approve supportive services like transportation assistance, books, and even laptop computers if needed for your education.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I just submitted the CalWORKs application through my BenefitsCal account. I attached my school enrollment verification, a statement about my living situation, and a letter explaining that I don't have parental support.I'll update this thread after my interview to let everyone know how it goes. Fingers crossed I qualify! Even a few hundred dollars a month would make a huge difference right now.

Great job taking that step! One last tip: When you have your interview, be very clear about your lack of parental support and independent status. Sometimes workers need to hear this explicitly to understand your situation correctly. Good luck, and definitely let us know how it goes!