What's this 'Welfare to Work payment' on my CalWORKs notice? Never received one before
So I got this notice in the mail yesterday mentioning a 'Welfare to Work payment' of $375 that's supposedly coming my way. I've been on Cash Aid for almost 2 years and never seen this before? My regular CalWORKs amount is still the same, but this looks like something extra. Has anyone else received this? Is it legit or some kind of mistake? I'm nervous about spending it if they're going to say I need to pay it back later. My worker never said anything about this at my last redetermination interview.
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Zara Perez
Yes! It's totally legit. It's called a WTW supportive services payment. They give these to help with expenses related to your Welfare to Work activities. Did you recently start a new job, training program, or education classes? They can issue these for transportation, work clothes, tools, books, or childcare-related expenses. There should be a code on your notice that explains what it's for specifically.
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Benjamin Johnson
•Oh! I did start a CNA training program last month. My worker never mentioned I'd get extra money for that. The notice just says "WTW supportive payment - transportation" but I didn't request anything? Should I call to make sure it's not a mistake before I spend it?
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Daniel Rogers
they giv u money automtically when u start a program sometimes. i got $240 when i started my GED classes but my frend got $400 for nursing assistan training so amount depends on wat ur doing
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Benjamin Johnson
•Thanks! I guess I should have read the WTW handbook more carefully. I was just surprised when it showed up.
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Aaliyah Reed
Be careful with that payment! Make sure you keep ALL receipts for how you spend it. They can ask for proof that you used it for transportation to your program. My sister got one of these and spent it on bills, then they demanded receipts showing she used it for gas/bus passes. When she couldn't provide them, they counted it as an overpayment and took it back from her future benefits. Not saying they'll do that to you, but CYA just in case.
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Zara Perez
•That's not entirely accurate. The transportation payment is usually given as a flat amount (like $375 for 3 months) and is based on mileage calculations or standard public transportation costs. While it's technically for transportation, most counties don't require receipts for standard transportation payments - they're meant to offset your costs. Now if it was for something specific like car repairs, work clothes, or books, then yes - they would require receipts.
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Aaliyah Reed
•Well maybe it's different by county then because Riverside ABSOLUTELY required my sister to prove how she spent it!!! They made a huge deal about it and threatened fraud!! Maybe the rules changed or something but I'm just warning the OP to be careful!!!
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Ella Russell
congrats on ur cna program!! i did that 2 and it really helps with getting a good job after calworks. the payment is for bus pass or gas money. u dont need to worry about it being a mistake.
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Mohammed Khan
I've been trying to get these payments for months!!! My worker keeps saying I need to fill out some form but never sends it. I'm in school too and paying for gas out of pocket is killing me. When I call the CalWORKs office, I just get voicemail and nobody ever calls back. It's so frustrating!! How did you get approved for yours without even asking?
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Gavin King
•I was having the same problem trying to reach my worker about supportive services payments. Was on hold for hours and kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr to get through (claimyr.com) - they call and wait on hold for you, then connect you when a worker picks up. Saved me so much frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Got my transportation payment issue fixed in one call after weeks of trying on my own.
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Nathan Kim
This is standard procedure when you're in an approved Welfare to Work activity like your CNA program. The payment amounts are based on: 1. Distance from your home to the activity location 2. Number of days per week you attend 3. Whether you use public transportation or private vehicle For most counties, a $375 payment would cover approximately 3 months of transportation costs for someone traveling 10-15 miles round trip, 3-4 days per week. You should receive this automatically at the beginning of each quarter while you're in your approved activity. If you move or your schedule changes, notify your WTW worker as it might affect your payment amount. And to clarify what others have said - for standard transportation payments, most counties do NOT require receipts. However, if you stop attending your program, you should report that change so they can stop the payments.
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Benjamin Johnson
•This is exactly the detailed explanation I needed! Thank you. My program is about 12 miles from my apartment and I go 4 days a week, so that matches what you described. Glad to know this is normal and I don't need to worry about receipts.
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Daniel Rogers
i got cut off from my payments when i missed 2 weeks of my program cuz my kid was sick so make sure u go to all ur classes!!!
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Benjamin Johnson
UPDATE: I called my worker and confirmed it's legit! She said it's automatic when you're in an approved WTW activity and I don't need receipts for the transportation payment specifically. Thanks everyone for the help! I was overthinking it.
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Ella Russell
•glad it worked out 4 u! good luck with ur cna program!
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Khalid Howes
That's awesome that you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're in a WTW program and NOT getting these payments automatically, definitely speak up. Sometimes there are system glitches or your program might not be coded correctly in their system. I had to push my worker to check why mine weren't coming through, turns out my vocational training wasn't marked as "approved" even though it was on the state list. Don't assume you're not eligible - advocate for yourself!
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Sean Flanagan
•This is such important advice! I'm actually in a similar situation - just started a medical assistant program three weeks ago and haven't received any transportation payments yet. My worker said I was approved for the program but maybe it's not coded right in the system like you mentioned. I'm going to call tomorrow and specifically ask them to check if my program is marked as "approved" for WTW payments. Thanks for sharing your experience - it gives me hope that I might actually be entitled to these payments too!
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Miguel Castro
Great to see this thread helping so many people! I went through something similar when I started my pharmacy tech program. For anyone still confused about WTW supportive payments, here are the main types you might see: transportation (most common), childcare assistance, work clothes/uniforms, books/supplies, and tools/equipment. The amounts vary by county and your specific situation. If you're not getting payments you think you should be getting, ask your worker to review your WTW plan - sometimes they need to update it to include supportive services. Also, keep attending your program regularly because they do track attendance and can stop payments if you're not participating consistently. Good luck to everyone in their programs!
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Zoe Christodoulou
•This is so helpful! I had no idea there were different types of WTW payments beyond just transportation. I'm in my second month of the CNA program and only getting the transportation payment, but I actually had to buy scrubs and a stethoscope which was pretty expensive. Should I ask my worker if I can get reimbursed for those supplies? Or is it too late since I already bought them? Also wondering if anyone knows - do you have to be in the program for a certain amount of time before you can request these other types of support?
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