Can I switch from CalFresh to CalWORKs Cash Aid? What's the difference?

CalFresh and CalWORKs Cash Aid are two completely different programs - they're not interchangeable, but you can actually get BOTH at the same time if you qualify! CalFresh (food stamps) is just for buying food. CalWORKs provides actual cash money for things like rent, bills, clothes, etc. CalWORKs has stricter eligibility requirements though - you need to have children and very limited income. You'll also need to participate in Welfare to Work activities in most cases. You'll need to submit a separate application for CalWORKs, but you can do it through BenefitsCal.com using the same account you used for CalFresh. Make sure you have your kids' info, any income documentation, and housing costs ready when you apply.

YEs you can definitely get both!!! i been on both programs 4 years. But cash aid has WAY MORE requirements. You gotta do all the welfare to work stuff like training or work hours,plus EVERY SINGLE CHANGE in your life you gotta report it or they'll say you committed fraud!! also they take forever to process cash aid apps, like 30 days sometimes and they'll ask for a million verifications. Just be ready for them to ask for bank statements, birth certificates, rent receipts, EVERYTHING. sometimes i think its not worth the hassle but when rent is due im always grateful 4 that money!!

they are too separate programs my friend. calfresh=food only. cash aid=money. u need kids for cash aid and very little money coming in. u can have both tho

One important thing no one mentioned: with CalWORKs Cash Aid, you'll have a 48-month LIFETIME limit. That means once you use up 48 months, you can never get it again (with some exceptions). Also, if you're working, they'll count your income and reduce your grant, but you get to keep the first $225 plus 50% of the rest without it affecting your grant. And yes, you'll need to do Welfare to Work activities for 20-30 hours per week depending on your youngest child's age, but your current part-time job at Walmart will count toward those hours. If you're not meeting the required hours with your job, they'll have you do additional activities to make up the difference. You'll also need to cooperate with child support if the children's other parent isn't in the home (unless you have good cause not to).

I tried calling my county worker for DAYS about changing my benefits and could never get through - kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for 2+ hours! I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a real person at the CalWORKs office in like 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works too: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Saved me so much stress when I was trying to add my newborn to my case and apply for the diaper stipend. Might help when you're trying to apply for Cash Aid too since the phone lines are always jammed.

one thing NO ONE told me when I first applied is that u can get more CalWORKs money if ur homeless or about to be homeless!! its called Homeless Assistance and they can give u money for security deposit and rent if ur getting evicted or temporary shelter costs. wish someone told me that before I lost my apartment last year

Since you're working part-time at Walmart, make sure you also apply for CalWORKs childcare assistance. It's one of the most valuable benefits - they'll pay for childcare while you're working and even during approved study time if you decide to go back to school. You can choose a licensed provider or even have a trusted family member or friend get paid to watch your kids (they just have to get approved as a license-exempt provider). For a family of 3 (you and 2 kids), the maximum CalWORKs grant is currently $1,060 per month, but that would be reduced based on your Walmart income after the income disregards. Even with the reduction, though, the combined benefits from CalFresh and CalWORKs plus the childcare assistance can make a huge difference.

To answer your original question - no, they won't just "switch" you because they're separate programs with different funding and requirements. But the good news is that when you apply for CalWORKs, they'll automatically check if you're still eligible for CalFresh too and continue those benefits. One more thing: When you get Cash Aid, you'll need to complete a SAR7 report every 6 months and an annual recertification. Make sure you NEVER miss these deadlines or your benefits will stop. The SAR7 is due by the 5th of your reporting month.