Lost my job - will CalWORKs cash aid increase with unemployment? Single mom confused about benefits

Yes, you can receive both CalWORKs and unemployment at the same time! I'm a single mom too and had this exact situation last year. However, your unemployment benefits WILL count as income when they calculate your CalWORKs grant amount. For a family of 2 (you and your daughter) in 2025, the maximum grant is about $875 monthly, but they'll reduce that based on your unemployment income. They don't count all of it though - they have something called the 'earned income disregard' where they ignore the first $225 of income plus 50% of anything over that. Your CalFresh will likely go down a bit too since unemployment counts as income for that program as well.

u should DEFINTELY apply!! they count unemployment diffrent than regular work income. i was getting $390/week unemployment last yr + still got like $320 in calworks for me + my son. it really helped with rent. just be honest about ur unemployment on the application or theyll make u pay it back later. and save ur termination paperwork cuz theyll ask for it

To directly answer your question about the amount: With $1,360 monthly unemployment income for a family of 2, your CalWORKs grant would be approximately $307 per month after they apply the income disregarding rules. And regarding Welfare to Work (WTW) requirements - you actually get an exemption from WTW participation requirements while you're receiving unemployment benefits and actively seeking work through EDD. Just make sure to tell your CalWORKs worker that you're on unemployment so they'll code your case correctly. You'll need to provide verification of your unemployment claim. Apply online through BenefitsCal.com - it's much faster than going in person.

When you apply make sure you check the box for childcare assistance too!!! That's the most valuable part of CalWORKs honestly. They'll pay for childcare while you're looking for work or once you find a new job. Don't miss out on that benefit!

CalWORKs is a pain honestly. They make you jump through so many hoops and the workers never answer their phones. I applied after losing my job and it took FOREVER to get approved. By the time I got any money I had already found another job and then they wanted me to do all these WTW activities on top of my new job. Not worth the hassle IMO.

Just be aware that the 48-month time limit clock starts ticking once you start receiving CalWORKs. That might not matter now if you're just using it temporarily while between jobs, but something to keep in mind. Also, if you have any child support arrangements with your daughter's father, you'll need to cooperate with LCSA (child support services) unless you have good cause not to (like domestic violence concerns).

Update: I applied for CalWORKs through BenefitsCal yesterday! It asked for all my unemployment info and I uploaded my termination letter. They scheduled me for a phone interview next week. Fingers crossed I get approved soon. Thanks everyone for your help explaining how it works!

Great to hear you got your application submitted! Just want to add that during your phone interview, they might ask about any other income sources or benefits you're receiving. Make sure to mention your CalFresh benefits since you said you're already getting those. Also, if you have any medical expenses for you or your daughter (like prescriptions, doctor visits, etc.), bring those up too - they can sometimes be deducted from your income calculation which could increase your grant amount. The caseworker should walk you through everything, but it's good to be prepared. Wishing you the best with your interview!

Just wanted to share some encouragement since I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! I was so overwhelmed when I first lost my job and had to navigate all these different benefit programs as a single parent. The good news is that once you get through the initial application process, it really does get easier. One thing that helped me was keeping a simple folder with copies of all my documents (unemployment paperwork, ID, daughter's birth certificate, etc.) so I always had everything ready when the county needed updates or reverifications. Also, don't be discouraged if your first CalWORKs payment takes a few weeks - they backdated mine to my application date so I got the full amount I was owed. You're doing great by being proactive and asking questions here. Your daughter is lucky to have a mom who's fighting to make sure you both have what you need during this tough time!

I'm going through something similar right now - just wanted to say you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all this! I lost my retail job 3 weeks ago and am also trying to figure out the CalWORKs system. Reading through everyone's responses here has been super helpful. One thing my friend who works at a community center told me is to also look into local food banks and utility assistance programs while you're waiting for everything to get processed. Sometimes there are resources that can help bridge the gap during those first few weeks. Also, if you qualify for CalWORKs, you might also be eligible for the Lifeline program which gives discounts on phone service - something small but every bit helps when money's tight. Good luck with your interview!

I work as a CalWORKs eligibility worker and wanted to clarify a few things to help with your application! First, yes you can definitely receive both unemployment and CalWORKs - we see this combination frequently. The income calculation someone mentioned earlier is correct: we disregard the first $225 plus 50% of the remaining unemployment income when determining your grant amount. A few important tips for your interview: 1) Have your EDD award letter ready - we need the official document, not just verbal confirmation of your weekly benefit amount, 2) Bring proof of your housing costs (rent receipt, lease, utility bills) as shelter expenses can affect your CalFresh amount, and 3) Ask specifically about Emergency Aid if you need help with immediate expenses like rent or utilities while waiting for your regular monthly grant to start. Also, since you mentioned being confused about work requirements - you're absolutely exempt from Welfare-to-Work activities while receiving unemployment benefits and actively job searching through EDD. Just make sure your worker codes this correctly in your case. The system can be overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions! Feel free to ask your worker to explain anything you don't understand during your interview.

As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year now, I just wanted to add that you should also ask about the CalWORKs Transportation Services during your interview! They can help with bus passes, gas vouchers, or even car repairs if you need transportation for job interviews or work. Since you mentioned you were working at a warehouse, you probably need reliable transportation for your job search. Also, make sure to keep all your job search documentation (applications, interview confirmations, etc.) because even though you're exempt from WTW while on unemployment, they'll eventually want to see proof that you're actively looking for work. The whole process seems scary at first but once you get into the routine it becomes much more manageable. You're doing everything right by asking questions and being prepared!

Just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation - make sure you ask about the CalWORKs Housing and Homeless Prevention Program during your interview! If you're struggling with rent or at risk of eviction (which can happen quickly after job loss), they have emergency rental assistance that's separate from your regular monthly grant. Also, since you mentioned you have a 6-year-old, ask about the CalWORKs educational support services - they can help with school supplies, uniforms, and even tutoring if needed. I know it feels overwhelming trying to remember all these different programs, but your eligibility worker should be able to tell you about all the services you qualify for. Don't be afraid to ask them to slow down or repeat something if you need clarification - it's their job to make sure you understand your benefits!

I'm so glad to see this thread has been so helpful for you! As someone who recently went through the CalWORKs application process myself, I wanted to add one more tip that really saved me - when you have your phone interview, ask if you can get your worker's direct phone number or extension. Some workers will give it to you, and it makes follow-up questions so much easier than going through the main county line. Also, if you run into any issues during the process, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor. Sometimes cases get stuck or delayed for simple reasons that a supervisor can quickly resolve. You sound like you're doing an amazing job advocating for yourself and your daughter during a really tough time. The fact that you're being so proactive and asking all the right questions shows you're going to navigate this successfully. Wishing you the best with your interview - you've got this! 💪

You've gotten such amazing advice here! As someone who went through a similar situation about 6 months ago (single mom, lost job, had to navigate unemployment + CalWORKs), I just wanted to add a couple practical tips for after you get approved: 1) Sign up for text alerts from your county if they offer them - mine sends me reminders about reporting deadlines and appointment dates, and 2) Keep a simple notebook or phone note tracking all your interactions with workers (dates, names, what was discussed). It saved me so much hassle when there was confusion about my case later. Also, once you're in the system, you can usually report changes online through BenefitsCal which is way faster than calling. You're doing such a great job preparing for this - your daughter is lucky to have such a proactive mom! The first few weeks are the hardest part, but it gets much smoother once everything is set up. Rooting for you! 🌟

I'm so happy to see how this thread has developed into such a supportive resource! As someone who works with families navigating benefits, I wanted to add one more piece of advice that often gets overlooked - if you end up needing to submit additional documentation after your interview, you can usually upload it directly through BenefitsCal rather than having to mail or fax it. This speeds up processing significantly. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit - I can't stress this enough! And remember that once you're approved, your benefits are usually loaded onto an EBT card around the same time each month, so you can plan your budget accordingly. You've shown such incredible resilience and resourcefulness throughout this thread - your daughter is going to learn so much about perseverance from watching how you handle challenges. Best of luck with everything, and please feel free to update us on how your interview goes! This community is always here to help. 💝

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read! As a fellow single parent who went through job loss and the benefits maze about two years ago, I'm so impressed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. Ian, you're going to do great - you're asking all the right questions and being so proactive. One small thing I wanted to add that helped me during the process: if you have a smartphone, take photos of all your documents before your interview (ID, termination letter, lease, etc.) so you have backup copies easily accessible if the worker needs to see something again or if you need to reference information quickly. Also, don't be surprised if your first month feels chaotic with timing - unemployment and CalWORKs don't always sync up perfectly at first, but it evens out. The fact that you're thinking ahead about your daughter's needs and being so thorough shows what an amazing mom you are. This rough patch is temporary, and with all the resources you're learning about, you're setting your family up for stability. Sending you both so much love and positive energy for your interview! 💪❤️

Reading through this entire thread has been so heartwarming! Ian, you've received absolutely incredible advice here from so many knowledgeable and caring community members. As someone who's helped families navigate the CalWORKs system, I just wanted to emphasize how well-prepared you sound for your interview now. You've learned about income calculations, work exemptions, childcare assistance, transportation help, emergency aid, and so many other resources that many people don't discover until much later in the process. One final suggestion - during your interview, don't hesitate to mention that you're part of this supportive online community. Sometimes workers appreciate knowing that applicants have access to peer support and accurate information, as it can help reduce confusion and speed up the process. You've shown such strength and determination throughout this thread, and it's clear your daughter has an amazing advocate in you. Wishing you the very best with your interview - you've got this! Please do keep us updated on how everything goes. This community is truly special and we're all rooting for your success! 🌟