Can you qualify for CalWORKs Cash Aid if you were denied for CalFresh due to income?

Your worker gave you INCORRECT information! The income limits for CalWORKs and CalFresh are NOT the same. CalWORKs actually has higher income limits in most cases. You should absolutely reapply for CalWORKs right away. For a family of 3, the CalWORKs income limit is higher than CalFresh. With your income around $1,850/month, you might still qualify for some cash assistance, especially since you have housing costs that are so high relative to your income. Also, because you have a restraining order against your children's father, you should automatically qualify for a child support cooperation exemption, which means you won't have to pursue child support to get benefits.

OMG this reminds me of what happened to me last year!!! Workers tell u whatever to get u off there case load. i was told the same thing and believed it for months before i finally reapplied and got approved for cash aid even tho i was denied calfresh bc of my part time job. reapply right now don't wait!!!

The eligibility requirements for CalWORKs and CalFresh are definitely different. For CalWORKs, you need to look at the "Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care" (MBSAC) limits, which are higher than the CalFresh limits. Your worker should never have discouraged you from applying. That's actually against the rules - they must accept and process any application you submit. With your income level and family size, you might qualify for partial cash aid, especially since you have documented domestic violence which can qualify you for certain exemptions. And make sure to ask about the diaper assistance if your 3-year-old isn't fully potty trained - that's an extra $30/month per eligible child in California.

I been through this exact thing before. U shud report that worker cause they not supposed to discourage u from applying! They do this to keep their numbers down and it's messed up. I make $2100 a month with 2 kids and still get a small cash aid amount ($258) which helps a ton.

Try using Claimyr.com to get through to a supervisor at your county office. I was getting the runaround from different workers giving me different info about whether I qualified. Used Claimyr to get through the phone system (check out how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE) and finally got connected to someone who could actually explain everything correctly. They'll call the county for you and connect you once someone answers, so you don't waste hours on hold just to get disconnected. Made a huge difference in getting my case sorted out.

I want to emphasize something important: With a restraining order situation, you qualify for a domestic violence waiver which means: 1. You're exempt from child support cooperation requirements 2. You might qualify for special DV-related services and housing assistance 3. Certain income and participation requirements can be waived Make sure to tell your new worker about the restraining order and specifically request the domestic violence exemptions when you reapply. This could make a significant difference in your eligibility and the services available to you.

you should apply for Section 8 housing too. the waitlists are long but at least you'd be on it. with your income and kids you'd probably qualify and that would help with the rent being so high

i think they lie to everyone tbh. i got denied calfresh too and my worker also told me dont bother with cashaid, but my neighbor literally makes more $ than me and gets both?? the whole system makes no sense they just pick and choose who they want to help fr

Here's the technical explanation of why your worker was incorrect: CalFresh uses the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to determine eligibility - generally 200% of FPL. CalWORKs uses the Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care (MBSAC) which is typically HIGHER than the CalFresh limit. Then CalWORKs applies income disregards: - $450 disregard off the top - 50% of remaining earned income is disregarded So your $1,850 monthly income becomes: $1,850 - $450 = $1,400 $1,400 × 50% = $700 countable income With only $700 countable income for a family of 3, you likely qualify for some CalWORKs benefits. The maximum grant for a family of 3 is $1,059 (as of 2025), and you'd get the difference between that and your countable income. Reapply immediately and ask for a different worker if possible.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, Sofia. As others have said, your worker was absolutely wrong - the income limits are NOT the same between programs. I went through something similar last year and felt completely defeated when my worker discouraged me from applying. One thing I want to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you reapply, ask specifically about expedited processing. Given that you're facing potential homelessness (struggling to make rent) and have very young children, you should qualify for expedited CalWORKs processing, which means they have to make a decision within 5 days instead of the usual 45. Also, don't forget to mention that you're already working - they can help with work-related expenses like childcare costs through CalWORKs, which could actually increase your net income even more. Sometimes the additional supportive services are just as valuable as the cash grant itself. You're doing an amazing job providing for your kids under impossible circumstances. Don't let one misinformed worker keep you from getting the help your family deserves.

Sofia, I'm a single mom who went through almost the exact same situation 8 months ago. My CalFresh got cut and the worker told me the same lie about CalWORKs - that if I didn't qualify for one, I wouldn't qualify for the other. Complete BS! I finally reapplied for CalWORKs after reading posts like this one, and not only did I get approved for $347/month in cash aid, but they also helped me with childcare costs so I could work more hours. My income was actually HIGHER than yours when I got approved. Here's what I wish someone had told me: bring EVERYTHING when you go in - pay stubs, rent receipts, utility bills, the restraining order, any childcare receipts. They calculate your "need" based on your actual expenses versus income. With rent that high compared to your income, you should definitely qualify. Also, apply for WIC if you haven't already - your 3-year-old still qualifies and it'll help stretch your grocery budget while you're waiting for CalWORKs to process. Don't let them discourage you again. You've got this mama! 💪

I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this misinformation from your worker, Sofia. What happened to you is unfortunately way too common - workers sometimes give incorrect information either because they're undertrained or trying to manage their caseloads. The income calculation differences between CalFresh and CalWORKs are significant. CalWORKs has what's called the "earned income disregard" where they subtract $450 from your gross income, then only count 50% of what remains. So your $1,850 becomes about $700 in "countable income" for CalWORKs purposes. Given your high housing costs ($1,325 is a huge portion of your income), you should absolutely qualify for some cash assistance. The system is supposed to help families like yours who are working but still struggling to meet basic needs. When you reapply, specifically mention: - The restraining order (automatic cooperation exemption) - Your childcare costs for work - Request expedited processing due to imminent homelessness risk - Ask about utility assistance programs Don't let one worker's mistake keep your family from getting help. You're working hard and deserve support. Reapply as soon as possible!