Maximum CalWORKs cash aid amount in San Bernardino County for single mom with newborn?

For 2025 in San Bernardino County, a mom with one child (family of 2) can get a maximum of $976 per month in CalWORKs Cash Aid. That's assuming you have no other income. If you work or get child support, they'll subtract a portion of that income from your grant amount.Remember that's just the Cash Aid part. You'll likely qualify for CalFresh (food stamps) too, which is separate, and Medi-Cal for healthcare. There's also a special $53 monthly diaper stipend for children under 3 years old that they recently added to CalWORKs.

Thank you!! That's actually more than I thought! Do you know if I need to wait until after my baby is born to apply? Or can I do it while I'm still pregnant?

u can apply while pregnant but they dont count the baby until born so u would only get the single person amount at first then when baby comes u report it to ur worker and they add the baby. its like $651 for just u then goes up after baby

thats wrong, pregnant women get the 2 person amount for calworks 90 days before due date. its called the pregnant woman only (PWO) benefit but u gotta give them verification of pregnancy with the due date from your doctor. i just did this in december

The maximum grant amount for a family of 2 (you and your newborn) in Region 1 counties like San Bernardino is $976 as of January 2025. But here's what you should know about applying while pregnant:1. You can apply during pregnancy and potentially qualify for the

Thank you for all the details! I didn't know about the diaper benefit or that I could get the two-person amount during my last trimester. I'm at 32 weeks now so I should definitely apply ASAP. Do you know if there's any waiting period between applying and getting benefits?

I had THE WORST experience trying to get through to San Bernardino County when I was applying for CalWORKs with my newborn. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally I used Claimyr.com and got connected to a real worker in 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Saved me so much stress during an already stressful time with a new baby. Definitely recommend if you're having trouble reaching someone on the phone.

does this really work?? i spent litterally 3 hours on hold yesterday and then got hung up on when trying to fix my SAR7 issue.

San Bernardino is TERRIBLE about processing applications on time!!! They took almost 60 days to approve me when it's supposed to be 30 MAXIMUM by law. Make sure you keep calling and checking on your application status. And don't forget that you'll need to do your Welfare to Work (WTW) participation after your baby is 12 months old. They'll make you do job search activities or training unless you get an exemption. BTW they're supposed to give single parents with a child under 6 only 20 hours per week of WTW activities instead of 30, but some workers don't tell you that!!!

This is all correct information. To add some clarity: CalWORKs applications must legally be processed within 30 days, and you're entitled to expedited processing if you have less than $100 and immediate need.Regarding Welfare to Work (WTW) requirements: You're exempt from WTW participation until your child is 12 months old. After that, as a single parent with a child under 6, your participation requirement is 20 hours weekly. This can include education, training, job search, or employment.If you're having issues with delayed processing, remember you can request a case review with a supervisor.

don't forget the maxium is ONLY if u have no income at all. if u work they take like 50 cents of every dollar u make from ur grant. and u have to report if u make over the income reporting threshold (IRT) which they'll tell u what that is. and they count child support too if the dad ever pays any.

That's good to know about the income. I'm not working right now but I'm hoping to find a part-time job after the baby is a few months old. Will they help with childcare costs if I start working?

Yes, CalWORKs provides childcare assistance when you're working or participating in approved Welfare to Work activities. Here's how it works:1. You can receive childcare assistance for children under 13 years old.2. CalWORKs covers childcare costs while you work, attend school, or participate in other approved activities.3. You can choose your childcare provider - it can be a licensed center, family daycare home, or even a trusted relative (though they may need to complete some basic requirements).4. The program typically covers the full cost based on regional market rates, though there may occasionally be small co-payments depending on your situation.5. You remain eligible for childcare assistance for up to 24 months after you stop receiving CalWORKs cash aid due to employment income.Make sure to tell your worker as soon as you find employment so they can set up the childcare assistance right away.

this is right but sometimes theres waiting lists for the childcare money so apply EARLY before u actually need it!!!! i waited til i got a job offer and then had to turn it down cus the childcare wasnt set up yet. big mistake!!

After your baby is born, don't forget to apply for the special needs food package through WIC! It's completely separate from CalWORKs but most people qualify for both. WIC gave me special breastfeeding support and extra food when my baby was born. Also, the CalWORKs diaper money ($53/month) comes on your EBT card but it's specifically for diapers - a small help but every bit counts with a newborn!

And good luck actually FINDING a caseworker to add your baby to the case after birth!!! I had to call over 20 TIMES after my daughter was born to get someone to answer and update my case. The system is BROKEN!!! And they wonder why people get frustrated and give up. 🤬

Just wanted to add that you should also ask about the Transitional CalFresh benefits when you eventually start working! Even if your income gets too high for CalWORKs cash aid, you can still get food stamps for up to 5 more months while you get on your feet. And if you're planning to go back to school later, CalWORKs can help pay for that too - they have programs for community college and even some 4-year degrees. The key is building a relationship with your caseworker early on so they know your goals. Good luck with your baby! 💕

As someone who recently went through this process, I wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me navigate the system more smoothly. First, make sure you have ALL your documents ready before you apply - birth certificate, Social Security card, ID, proof of pregnancy, any income verification, and bank statements. Missing even one document can delay your case for weeks. Second, if you're having trouble reaching your worker by phone, try sending a secure message through the online portal - I found workers sometimes respond faster to written messages than phone calls. Also, don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you're not getting the help you need. The squeaky wheel gets the grease in this system unfortunately. Finally, keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit and write down the names and dates of every conversation you have with county staff. It saved me when there was confusion about my case later. Wishing you the best with your new baby and your application process!

@Sofia Hernandez Yes! There are several organizations in San Bernardino County that can help with CalWORKs applications. The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County has offices throughout the county and they provide free assistance with benefit applications. Also check out the Inland Empire United Way - they have a 2-1-1 helpline (just dial 2-1-1) that can connect you to local resources and sometimes even have navigators who can help walk you through the application process. The San Bernardino County Library system also has benefit application assistance at some locations - they have computers and staff who can help if you need to apply online. I used the Community Action Partnership when I first applied and they were amazing - they knew all the little details that can trip you up and made sure I had everything ready before submitting. Having that support made such a difference during what was already a stressful time. Good luck to everyone navigating this system!

As a new member here, I just wanted to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently pregnant with my first child and had no idea about most of these CalWORKs benefits and programs. The information about being able to apply during pregnancy for the two-person amount, the diaper stipend, childcare assistance, and all the community resources available is invaluable. It's clear that navigating this system can be challenging, but seeing how everyone here supports each other and shares practical advice gives me hope. I'm definitely going to reach out to the Community Action Partnership and start gathering my documents early. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community where people can get real answers about these important programs. It makes such a difference to hear from people who have actually been through this process!

Welcome to the community! As a new member myself, I've been reading through all these responses and I'm amazed at how much detailed, accurate information everyone is sharing. The breakdown of the $976 maximum for a family of two, the pregnant woman benefit starting 90 days before due date, and all the additional programs like the diaper stipend and childcare assistance is incredibly helpful. I'm also dealing with navigating government benefits for the first time, and it's reassuring to see there are community organizations like the Community Action Partnership that can help guide us through the process. The tip about calling first thing in the morning and keeping detailed records of all interactions seems especially important given how challenging it can be to reach caseworkers. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where we can learn from each other's experiences!