Denied CalWORKs despite being unemployed - confused about 'not working' requirement

I think they're saying that BOTH parents have to be unemployed/disabled/etc for the family to qualify. Since your husband is working, even though it's part-time, you don't qualify.

Oh...I didn't realize both parents had to be not working. That makes more sense, but the wording on the denial letter was confusing. Just says \

acutally thats NOT how it works, other person is WRONG. for calworks, the issue is that if BOTH parents are in the home, then your family has to meet deprivation requirement. that means 1 parent has to be disabled, absent, deceased OR both parents r working but family income is below calworks limit due to underemployment. if your husband wrks more than 100 hrs a month ur not deprivation eligible. look up 'deprivation requirement calworks' its stupid but thats the rule

Thank you!!! That makes so much more sense. My husband definitely works more than 100 hours a month. The worker never explained this

The others are partially right. CalWORKs has something called the \

This is correct. The system is designed this way because CalWORKs (formerly AFDC) was originally created to help single parents or families where the primary earner couldn't work. The \

I went thru this EXACT same thing 2 years ago!!! the whole \

Thanks for the tip! I tried calling this morning and got disconnected twice after waiting 40+ minutes. So frustrating. I'll check out that service because I really want to understand exactly why we were denied and if there's any way to qualify.

To be clear, this is what's happening:1. CalWORKs requires children to meet \

yes THIS! and also make sure ur getting the maximum calfresh. with 2 kids and only part time income u should be getting a good amount for food. check if ur kids qualify for free school meals 2

did u tell the county that you lost your job? sometimes they don't recored everything right and maybe they think both of you are working? i would call and tell them to review your case

Yes, I definitely told them I'm unemployed right now. I specifically mentioned that I was laid off 2 months ago and am looking for work. But based on what everyone is saying, it sounds like my husband's hours are the problem, not whether I'm working or not.

The CalWORKs rules are so annoying. They literally make it impossible for two-parent families to get help unless both parents barely work or one is disabled. It's like they WANT single parent households or something! So backwards.

You're right that the rules can seem counterintuitive. They date back to when the program was called AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), which was specifically designed for children who lacked parental support. The current system still maintains many of those original requirements even though family structures and needs have changed. That's why the \

Thank you everyone for explaining! The county worker never mentioned this \