Maximum income limits for CalWORKs when working - what's the current cutoff for 2025?

Congrats on the job offer! CalWORKs income limits depend on your family size and county. For a family of 3 in 2025, the gross income limit is around $2,775/month, but that's not the whole story. CalWORKs has what's called the "income disregard" - they don't count your first $450 of earned income, then they only count 50% of the rest when calculating your grant. So with $2,450 monthly income: - First $450 is disregarded - That leaves $2,000 - Only 50% of that ($1,000) counts toward your eligibility So your "countable income" would be about $1,000, which should still qualify you for some Cash Aid, but your grant amount would be reduced. You'll probably get a partial grant instead of the full $871.

they dont tell u this but u can work and still get calworks!!!! i had a job making $2100 last year and still got like $320 in cash. its that $450 thing they do plus half of whatever else you make doesn't count. just make sure u report your income on time or they will hit u with an overpayment later and that SUCKS

The income disregard continues as long as you're eligible for CalWORKs! It's not temporary. It's meant to incentivize work. But one important thing to remember - you still have to meet your Welfare to Work participation requirements even when working, unless your work hours are enough to satisfy WTW. For a single parent, that's 30 hours per week. If your new job is full-time (35+ hours), you'll meet your WTW hours just with your job. If it's part-time, you might need to do additional activities to meet your required hours. Also, when you start working, apply for CalWORKs childcare assistance ASAP! They'll cover your childcare costs while you're working, and that benefit can continue even after your Cash Aid ends due to income (up to 24 months after, I believe).

I wish they'd make this information clearer!!! I lost out on MONTHS of benefits because I thought I couldn't get CalWORKs while working. NOBODY at the county office explained the disregards to me! They just say "report your income" but don't explain how they calculate it or that you can still get benefits while working. The whole system is designed to keep people confused and not getting what they're entitled to!!! 😡

Also remember that while your Cash Aid might go down as your income goes up, you might still qualify for full CalFresh benefits, which is a separate calculation. Many working families get zero Cash Aid but still qualify for the maximum food benefits. And working often makes you eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) come tax time, which can be thousands of dollars depending on your income and number of kids. So even if your cash aid reduces significantly, you're likely to be financially better off working!

quick qusetion what if u dont report right away do they terminate ur case????? i started a job 3 weeks ago but havent told my worker yet cuz i want to make sure its going good before i say anything

To answer your question about childcare - you typically request it through your CalWORKs worker, but they'll connect you with the childcare portion of the program (sometimes called Stage 1 childcare). The process varies by county, but your worker should give you the childcare application forms when you report your new employment. Be sure to ask for them specifically if they don't offer. One more tip - your work schedule has to be verified for childcare approval, so make sure to get a letter from your employer stating your work hours/schedule. This will make the childcare approval process much smoother!

oh and dont 4get that when ur working u can get EBT cash back at stores!!! that was super helpful 4 me when i was working cuz sometimes i needed cash for like the bus or whatever and i could just get cash back with my ebt card at the grocery store

I was in your exact situation last year. If you're having trouble getting clear answers from your worker about how your exact benefits will change, try calling the main CalWORKs number and using the callback service I mentioned (Claimyr). When I finally got through, they were able to run the calculations and tell me exactly how much my grant would be reduced based on my new income. It was so helpful to have those exact numbers when budgeting. And definitely apply for childcare assistance! That benefit alone was worth more than my cash aid - they covered my daughter's entire preschool cost while I worked.

anywnn know if the medi-cal stays the same? i herd working doesnt affect medi-cal?

Congratulations on the job offer! Just wanted to add that you should also ask your new employer about their benefits - some employers offer health insurance, and if yours does, you'll want to coordinate that with your Medi-Cal coverage. Sometimes employer health plans can be better than Medi-Cal, but other times Medi-Cal might cover more services especially for your kids. Also, make sure to keep all your pay stubs once you start working! You'll need them for your quarterly reports to CalWORKs, and if there are any questions about overpayments or underpayments later, having complete records will protect you. I learned this the hard way when my hours got cut one month and I had to prove my reduced income to avoid losing benefits I was still entitled to. One last thing - if this job doesn't work out for any reason, report that change immediately too. People sometimes think they have to wait until their next reporting period, but job loss should be reported right away so your benefits can be restored quickly. Good luck with your new job!

Take the job! I was in a similar situation and was so scared about losing benefits, but it worked out great. With $2,450/month income and 2 kids, you'll definitely still qualify for some Cash Aid because of the income disregards everyone mentioned. Plus you'll keep your full CalFresh benefits (might even get more), your Medi-Cal continues, and you can get childcare assistance which is HUGE. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you call to report your new job, ask them to calculate your new benefit amount over the phone so you know exactly what to expect. Also ask about the childcare application right away because that process can take a few weeks to get approved. You're going to be so much better off financially once you factor in your wages + partial benefits + childcare assistance + tax credits. The hardest part is just getting through to your worker to report everything properly. Don't let the fear of losing benefits stop you from taking this opportunity!

Congratulations on the job offer! Just wanted to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand your county's specific reporting requirements and deadlines. Some counties want you to report within 10 days of starting work, others give you until your next quarterly report, and the rules can vary. Also, when you do report your income, ask your worker about the "transitional benefits" period. Many people don't know that even if your income eventually makes you ineligible for Cash Aid, you might be eligible for up to 60 months of transitional CalFresh and Medi-Cal benefits as long as you're working. This is separate from the regular Transitional Medi-Cal that was mentioned earlier. One more tip - keep detailed records of your work hours and income from day one. If your hours or pay fluctuate month to month, this will help you report accurately and avoid any overpayment issues. And definitely take advantage of that childcare assistance - it's one of the best benefits for working families and can really make the difference in whether work pays off financially. You're making a great decision by taking this job. The income disregards are specifically designed to make work pay, so you should definitely come out ahead overall!

Congratulations on the job offer! This is exactly why I love this community - so much great advice here. Just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who went through this transition recently. With your income of $2,450/month and family of 3, you're definitely still eligible for benefits! The math works like this: $2,450 - $450 (disregard) = $2,000, then 50% of that = $1,000 countable income. Your Maximum Aid Payment for 3 people is around $871, so you'd get $871 - $1,000 = technically $0 cash aid BUT you might still get a small payment due to the way they calculate it with housing costs and other factors. Even if your cash aid drops significantly, you'll keep full CalFresh and Medi-Cal. The key thing everyone's mentioned about reporting quickly is SO important. I delayed reporting once and ended up with an overpayment I'm still paying back. Also, make sure to ask about the Cal-Learn program if you're under 19 or interested in finishing school/GED while working - they have additional incentives and support for young parents. Take that job! The combination of earned income + partial benefits + childcare assistance + tax credits will put you in a much better financial position than benefits alone. You've got this!

This thread is such a goldmine of information! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. One thing I wanted to add that might help you and others - when you start working and your cash aid gets reduced, you can also look into local food banks and community resources to help bridge any gaps. Many food banks don't have income restrictions or they're much higher than CalWORKs limits. Also, if your new job offers direct deposit, set that up right away and keep your bank statements organized alongside your pay stubs. Sometimes the county asks for bank statements during reviews, and having everything organized makes those appointments go much smoother. And here's something that saved me - if your work schedule changes frequently or you have irregular hours, ask your worker about reporting monthly instead of quarterly. It's more paperwork but it can prevent overpayments if your income fluctuates a lot. You're making such a smart choice taking this job! The learning curve with reporting and managing partial benefits is a bit steep at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be in such a better position. Wishing you the best with your new job!

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such exciting news. I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago - new job, worried about losing benefits, couldn't get through to my caseworker. Everyone here has given you amazing advice about the income disregards and how you'll likely still qualify for some benefits. I just wanted to add that when I finally got through to report my job, my worker actually seemed happy that I was working! She explained that the whole point of CalWORKs is to help people transition to self-sufficiency, so they have all these protections in place (like the $450 + 50% disregard) specifically so working always pays more than just being on benefits. One thing that really helped me was writing down all my questions before calling - like exactly how much my new grant would be, when my first reduced payment would start, how to apply for childcare, what my new reporting requirements would be, etc. Having it all written down kept me focused during the call and made sure I didn't forget anything important. You're going to do great with this new job! The first month or two of managing work + reduced benefits takes some adjustment, but financially you'll be so much better off. Take that job and don't look back!

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such great news and you're absolutely making the right decision by taking it. I wanted to share something that might help ease your mind - I work at a local community organization that helps families navigate CalWORKs transitions, and situations like yours happen all the time. The income disregards that others have explained are specifically designed to make sure work always pays better than just receiving benefits. With your $2,450 monthly income and family of 3, you'll definitely still qualify for some assistance. After the $450 disregard and 50% calculation on the remaining income, your countable income will be around $1,000. Even if your cash aid reduces significantly, you're looking at keeping full CalFresh benefits (which might even increase since working families often qualify for higher food benefit amounts), continued Medi-Cal coverage, and eligibility for subsidized childcare. Here's something people don't always mention - when you transition to working, you also become eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and California EITC. With two kids and your income level, this could mean getting back $3,000-6,000 at tax time! That's huge. One practical tip: when you call to report your new job, ask them to mail or email you a summary of your new benefit amounts and reporting requirements. Having it in writing helps avoid any confusion later. You've got this! Taking this job is going to put you and your kids in a much stronger financial position. The CalWORKs system is designed to support exactly this kind of transition to independence.

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such an exciting step forward. I just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation - don't forget to ask about transportation assistance too! Many counties offer bus passes or gas vouchers for people transitioning from welfare to work, especially in those first few months when you're adjusting to the new income. Also, when you call Monday to report your job, ask if your county has a "Welfare to Work" orientation or workshop for people who just started working. Mine had a really helpful session that covered everything from budgeting with reduced benefits to accessing community resources. They even had someone there who helped people apply for the EITC and other tax credits. One more thing - if your new job offers any benefits like health insurance or a 401k, don't feel pressured to sign up right away. Take time to compare what they're offering with your current Medi-Cal coverage and any other benefits. Sometimes it makes sense to stick with what you have, especially if your employer plan has high deductibles or doesn't cover your kids as well as Medi-Cal does. You're making such a smart choice! The first few months might feel like a juggling act managing work and navigating the benefit changes, but you're setting yourself and your kids up for so much success. This community will be here if you need support along the way!

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such wonderful news. I just wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - if you're having trouble getting through to your caseworker on Monday, you can also try visiting your local county office in person early in the morning. Sometimes the front desk staff can help you get an immediate phone appointment or connect you with someone who can run the benefit calculations right away. Also, I wanted to mention that once you start working, you might want to consider opening a separate savings account specifically for setting aside money for things like car repairs or other emergencies. Even if you can only put away $20-30 a month at first, having that small emergency fund can prevent you from having to choose between missing work or going into debt when unexpected expenses come up. One last thing - document everything! Take photos of any paperwork you submit, keep copies of your pay stubs, and write down the names of anyone you speak with at the county office along with the date and what was discussed. This will be so helpful if there are ever any questions or discrepancies later on. You're making an incredible choice for your family's future. The transition might feel overwhelming at first, but you're going to do amazing! This community is always here if you need support or have questions as you navigate this new chapter.

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such amazing news and you're definitely making the right choice by taking it. I went through this exact same situation about a year ago - same income range, two kids, terrified I'd lose everything. But the income disregards really do work! With your $2,450/month income, after the $450 disregard and 50% calculation, your countable income will be around $1,000. You'll likely still get some cash aid, plus you keep full CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Here's what I wish I'd known: start a simple spreadsheet to track everything from day one. Log your work hours, gross pay, any deductions, and when you reported income to the county. This saved me so much stress during reviews and helped me catch a calculation error that would have cost me hundreds in overpayments. Also, when you call Monday, ask specifically about "rapid engagement" services if your county offers them - some have fast-track processes for people who just started working to get childcare and other supports approved quickly. The first few months feel like a learning curve, but financially you'll be so much better off. Between your wages, partial benefits, childcare assistance, and those tax credits everyone mentioned, you're setting up your family for real stability. Take that job with confidence - you've got this!

Congratulations on the job offer! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm in a similar situation and was worried about the same things. Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I was transitioning to work: if your new employer offers flexible scheduling or the ability to pick up extra shifts, be really careful about how that affects your monthly income reporting. Even though the income disregards help a lot, if you have a month where you pick up overtime and your gross income jumps significantly, you need to report that change right away. I learned this when I worked some extra holiday shifts and my monthly income went from $2,200 to $2,800 one month. Even though it dropped back down the next month, I had to report the increase because it put me over my Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). The good news is that the disregards still applied, so I didn't lose my benefits completely, but my cash aid did get reduced for that month. Also, don't forget to save all your documentation about any work-related expenses like uniforms, transportation, or work supplies - some of these can be deducted from your countable income, which could help keep your benefits higher while you're getting established in the job. Take that job! You're going to do great, and this community has given you such solid advice for navigating the transition successfully!

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such exciting news and you should definitely take it. Everyone here has given you incredible advice about the income disregards and how you'll still qualify for benefits while working. I wanted to add something that really helped me when I made this transition - once you start working and get your first reduced benefit payment, don't panic if the amount seems confusing at first. The county sometimes processes work income in weird ways initially, and it can take a pay period or two for them to calculate everything correctly with all the disregards applied properly. Also, when you call Monday to report your job, ask them about the "earned income tax credit advance" if your county participates in that program. Some counties can help you get a portion of your tax credit throughout the year instead of waiting until tax time, which can really help with cash flow during the transition. One more thing - if this job offers any kind of employee assistance program (EAP), take advantage of it! Many employers offer free financial counseling, childcare referrals, or even emergency loans for work equipment. These resources can be super helpful when you're adjusting to your new income and benefit structure. You're making such a smart choice for your family's future. The combination of your earnings plus partial benefits plus all the work supports available will put you in a much stronger financial position than benefits alone. This community is here to support you through the transition - you've got this!