What's the CalWORKs income limit for a family with 2 kids in 2025?
Does anyone know the monthly income someone must earn for 2 children to be approved? Thank you 🙏 I just started a new job making about $2,400 a month but I'm not sure if that'll put me over the limit. My cousin said I probably make too much now but I really need the help with my kids. They're 3 and 5 years old and childcare is killing me financially. I'm in Los Angeles County if that matters for income limits.
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Malik Jenkins
The CalWORKs income limit depends on your family size and county. For a family of 3 (you + 2 kids) in LA County as of 2025, the gross income limit is around $2,775/month. But remember that's before deductions! They don't count all your income - there's a $500 earned income disregard plus 50% of remaining earnings don't count. So with $2,400/month, you'd likely still qualify. Your actual countable income would be much lower after deductions.
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Isabella Costa
•Omg thank you so much!! I was so worried when my cousin said I wouldn't qualify. So they actually don't count all my income? That's a relief!
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Freya Andersen
u should stil apply even if u think u make 2 much. worst they can say is no rite? my friend makes like $2200 with 2 kids and still gets calworks. its not alot but helps with bills n stuff
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Eduardo Silva
•This is actually good advice. Always apply even if you're not sure you qualify. The eligibility workers calculate everything for you, and as the previous commenter mentioned, CalWORKs has several income disregards that can help you qualify even with higher earnings. Also, if you apply and qualify for CalWORKs, you automatically get evaluated for CalFresh and Medi-Cal too, which have different income limits.
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Leila Haddad
I was in the same boat last year! Applied thinking I'd get denied but got approved for a small amount of cash aid. The BEST part tho was getting approved for subsidized childcare through CalWORKs! That saved me like $1500/month for my two kids. Apply apply apply!!!
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Isabella Costa
•Wait they help with childcare too??? That would be a game changer for me. My babysitter costs more than my rent at this point! 😭
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Malik Jenkins
Yes! CalWORKs childcare assistance is amazing. If you qualify for even $10 of cash aid, you can get Stage 1 childcare, which covers most or all of your childcare costs while you work or go to school. You'll need to use an approved provider, but there are many options. This benefit alone is worth applying for.
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Emma Johnson
•Thats how they tricked me. Got me on the program then made me do 35 hrs a week of welfare to work activities even tho I was already working part time. Make sure to ask about the WTW requirements before you sign anything!
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Ravi Patel
I tried calling the LA County DPSS office for 3 days straight to ask about income limits and couldn't get through. Finally used Claimyr.com and got a callback in 18 minutes! If you need to speak with a real person about your specific situation, check their video demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - saved me hours of frustration. The worker was able to tell me exactly what would count toward my income limit and what wouldn't.
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Isabella Costa
•Thank you! I've been calling and hanging up all day trying to get more info. The website isn't very clear about all these income disregards people are mentioning. I'll check this out!
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Astrid Bergström
THEY KEEP CHANGING THE INCOME LIMITS!!! Last year they denied me when I was making $2,300 with 2 kids but my neighbor got approved making $2,500 with 2 kids?? The whole system is rigged and they just deny people randomly I swear. Don't get your hopes up.
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Malik Jenkins
•The income limits do increase slightly each year with cost of living adjustments, but the bigger difference is probably other factors. Income isn't the only thing they look at - they consider household size, housing costs, childcare expenses, and other aid you might receive. Two families with the same income can get different decisions based on these other factors.
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Leila Haddad
my sister in law said she went yesterday and they told her that for 2025 the income limit for a family of 3 is $2,820 now but thats before the deductions they do. she says deductions make a huge difference
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Isabella Costa
•That's even higher than what someone else mentioned! I definitely need to apply. I'm going to start my application tonight. Thanks everyone for the help and advice!
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Eduardo Silva
One important tip: When you apply, be sure to request the childcare assistance right away. Tell them you need it to maintain employment. And don't forget to bring all your documentation to your interview: ID, children's birth certificates, proof of income (paystubs), residence verification, and childcare costs if you're already paying. Having everything ready will speed up your approval process significantly.
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Freya Andersen
•also dont forget ur social security cards!! i had to go back home n get mine and it delayed everything by like 2 weeks
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Romeo Quest
Just wanted to add that if you're working and have kids in childcare, make sure to ask about the CalWORKs Stage 1 childcare program specifically when you apply. Even if your cash aid amount is small, the childcare assistance can be huge - it covers up to the state maximum reimbursement rate for your county. In LA County, that's pretty generous. I've seen families save $1,000+ per month on childcare costs alone. Also, once you're approved for CalWORKs childcare, you can transition to Stage 2 and then Stage 3 as your income increases, so you don't lose childcare help right away if you get a raise. Good luck with your application! 🍀
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