What's the current CalWORKs cash aid amount for a family of 4 (1 adult, 3 kids)?

Thank you! I'm in Los Angeles County and don't have any income right now. Do you know if that's region 1 or 2? My current payment is around $1,150 which seems a bit less than what you mentioned.

Thank you so much for the detailed information! I'm definitely going to call tomorrow and ask for a benefit breakdown. I wasn't aware there were different rates for different regions, that's really helpful to know.

Thank you for this detailed breakdown! I did have an overpayment last year that they said I needed to pay back. That must be why my amount is lower. I'll definitely ask for that Notice of Action with the calculation.

Omg I know exactly what you mean about the phone system. I'll check out that service - getting disconnected after waiting hours is the WORST!

does that service cost money? i always just go in person cuz the phones never work

Yeah it does cost something but for me it was worth it cuz I couldn't take time off work to go in person. If you can go to the office that works too!

Yes, CalWORKs amounts are different by county because California divides counties into two regions based on cost of living. Region 1 (higher cost areas like LA, Bay Area) has higher payment standards than Region 2 (most Central Valley counties and rural areas). It's not that the program is different, just the payment amounts vary slightly to account for living costs.

Thank you for posting this detailed breakdown! This is super helpful. I'm definitely going to compare my amount with what I should be getting.

Which region is Sacramento County in? Is there a list somewhere?

Sacramento County is in Region 1 (higher cost). Here's a quick breakdown of regions: Region 1: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Ventura, and Sacramento counties. Region 2: All other counties not listed above.

That's great you were able to confirm! If you feel the overpayment might be incorrect, remember you can always request a fair hearing to contest it. But if it's legitimate, at least you know exactly why your payment is lower and when it will go back to normal.

Good for you for checking! So many people just accept whatever amount they get without questioning it!

So glad you got it sorted out! That's exactly what happened to me too - had an overpayment deduction for months and didn't realize it. At least now you know when it will end and you'll get the full amount. Thanks for updating us on what you found out!

Welcome to CalWORKs! Yes, you're right - for a family of 3 in San Diego County (Region 1), the maximum amount is $983 assuming no income or deductions. The application process is definitely overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and don't hesitate to call your worker if you have questions about your case. Once you get your first payment, they should also send you information about work requirements and other program rules. Hang in there - it gets easier once you understand the system!

Yes, that's correct! As a single mom with 2 kids in San Diego County, you should get $983 for a family of 3 since San Diego is Region 1. The first payment can sometimes take a while to come through, but once it does you'll typically get it on the same day each month. One tip - make sure you understand your SAR 7 reporting requirements from the start because missing those deadlines can cause your case to close. The worker should explain all of this to you, but sometimes they rush through it. Good luck with everything!

Welcome! Yes, you're absolutely right about the $983 for a family of 3 in San Diego County. I just went through the application process myself a few months ago and I totally understand how overwhelming it feels at first. One thing that really helped me was writing down all the important dates (like when my SAR 7 is due) and keeping a folder with copies of everything I submit. The workers are usually helpful once you get through to them, but as others mentioned, the phone system can be frustrating. Don't be afraid to ask questions - it's better to clarify things upfront than deal with issues later. You've got this!

Yes! I've definitely experienced getting different information from different workers - it's so frustrating. I think part of the problem is that CalWORKs rules are really complex and some workers are more knowledgeable than others. I've learned to ask for everything in writing when possible, and if I get conflicting information, I ask to speak with a supervisor. It's definitely worth double-checking your grant calculation, especially after reading all the helpful info in this thread. You can request a detailed breakdown showing exactly how they calculated your monthly amount - they're required to provide it if you ask.

Oh wow, you're definitely not alone in getting different answers from different workers! I've had the same experience - one worker told me I was getting the maximum amount, another said I had a small sanction, and a third one couldn't even find my case in the system at first. It's like they're all working from different rulebooks sometimes. I finally started keeping notes of who I talked to and what they said, with dates and times. That way when someone gives me conflicting info, I can reference my previous conversations. Definitely get that grant calculation breakdown - it really helps to see the numbers broken down so you can spot any errors yourself.

Yes, definitely ask for that breakdown! $950 for a family of 3 in LA County sounds right if you have no income or deductions - the maximum is $983, so you might have a small amount being taken out for something. Even if it's just a few dollars, it's good to know exactly what's happening with your case. I learned so much from this thread too - had no idea about the regional differences until today! The phone system is absolutely terrible, but it's worth pushing through to get that clarification. Keep us posted on what you find out!

Yes, you're correct! Riverside County is Region 2, so for a family of 2 with no income, you should be getting $733 as the maximum amount. If you're getting less than that, it could be due to income being counted, an overpayment recoupment, or some other deduction. Since you just started last month, everything should be pretty straightforward unless there were any issues during your application process. It's smart that you're double-checking your amount early on! If you have any concerns, definitely request that benefit calculation breakdown that others mentioned - it really helps to see exactly how they arrived at your monthly grant amount. Welcome to the program and don't hesitate to ask questions here - everyone's been super helpful!

I completely agree - this community is such a lifesaver! I'm new to CalWORKs myself (just applied a few weeks ago) and reading through everyone's experiences has taught me more than any of the official paperwork I received. It's so reassuring to see people helping each other navigate this system and sharing real, practical information. The fact that you're getting $983 for Orange County with 2 kids gives me confidence that the system is working properly for some people at least! I'm still waiting for my first payment but knowing what to expect and what questions to ask makes me feel so much more prepared. Thank you to everyone who's shared their knowledge here - it really makes such a difference for those of us just starting this journey!

Yes, you're absolutely right! Kern County is Region 2, so for a family of 2 you should expect $733 as the maximum amount if you have no income. The application process is definitely overwhelming at first - I remember feeling the same way when I started. My advice is to keep copies of everything you submit and write down important dates like when your interviews are scheduled. Once you get approved, make sure you understand your reporting requirements (like the SAR 7 forms) because staying on top of those deadlines is crucial. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to get your first payment - the initial processing can be slow, but it usually gets more predictable after that. You're doing great by educating yourself ahead of time, and this community is always here to help if you have questions once you're in the system!

Yes, you're exactly right! Fresno County is Region 2, so you should be getting $936 for a family of 3 with no income. That $36 difference each month definitely adds up over time, so it's worth calling to find out what's happening. It could be a small overpayment recoupment, some unreported income being counted, or possibly just an error in how they calculated your grant. When you call tomorrow, specifically ask for a "Notice of Action" or detailed benefit calculation that shows exactly how they arrived at your $900 amount. That way you'll know if it's something that should be corrected or if there's a legitimate reason for the reduction. Good catch on noticing the discrepancy - so many people just accept whatever amount they get without questioning it!

Yes, you're absolutely correct! San Bernardino County is Region 2, so you should definitely be getting $1,181 for a family of 4 with no income. That $81 difference each month is significant - over a year that's almost $1,000 you might be missing out on! It's really frustrating that workers don't always explain these regional differences upfront. When you call Monday, make sure to ask specifically for a "Notice of Action" with the detailed grant calculation. They're required to provide this if you request it. It could be an overpayment recoupment, unreported income being counted, or possibly just an error in their system. Either way, you deserve to know exactly how they calculated your amount. Keep us updated on what you find out - your experience could help other people in similar situations!

Yes, you're absolutely right! Ventura County is definitely Region 1, so you should expect $983 for a family of 3 assuming you have no income or deductions. The application process is definitely stressful - I remember feeling the same way when I was going through it. One thing that really helped me was making a checklist of all the documents I needed and keeping everything organized in a folder. Don't worry too much about the work requirements right away - they'll explain all of that once you're approved and in the system. The most important thing during the application process is just making sure you provide all the required documentation and attend your appointments on time. Once you get your first payment, that's when you'll start learning about SAR 7 reporting and work participation requirements. You're already ahead of the game by educating yourself here! This community has been such a lifesaver for me too. Keep us updated on how your application goes!