Highlights

Unless exempt, all CalWORKs recipients are required to participate in WtW services as a condition of eligibility.Recipients receive job search & employment-related services.

Offices are located in all 58 California counties

CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work Program

Current CalWORKs rules ensure that individuals who work are better off financially than if they do not work. California's Welfare-to-Work (WtW) program is designed to assist recipients obtain or prepare for employment. The Welfare-to-Work program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by the Department of Employment and Social Services or its contractors:

• All Welfare-to-Work participants receive an orientation to the program and an appraisal of their education and employment background.
  
• Initially, most individuals receive job search services (assistance in finding a job.)

Additional employment-related services are provided based on an individual's education and work history. Individuals may be assigned to:

• Unpaid work experience/preparation
• Vocational training placements
• Adult education or community college programs

In addition, program participants may be eligible for help with child care, transportation, and work-related or training-related expenses. Moreover, participants who find a job and are no longer eligible for temporary cash aid may continue to receive help with medical care and child care expenses.

Recipients of CalWORKs are eligible for services:

• Unless exempt, applicants/recipients of CalWORKs are required to participate in Welfare-to-Work activities as a condition of receiving aid.
• CalWORKs recipients who are not required to participate in Welfare-to-Work activities may volunteer to take part in the program.
• Adults in one-parent families must spend at least 32 hours per week in Welfare-to-Work activities. The minimum participation requirement for two-parent families is 35 hours per week. After receiving aid for up to a maximum of 24 months, non-exempt adults must work in unsubsidized employment or participate in community service activities for the minimum number of hours listed above.
• After recipients find work, a variety of services are available for up to 12 months to assist them in retaining their employment and becoming fully self-sufficient.
  

The CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program is a component of the CalWORKs cash aid program (formerly known as Aid for Dependent Children or AFDC). If you need to apply for temporary cash assistance, applications for people living in Butte County can be made at either of the two Community Employment Centers listed below. When you apply for cash assistance the worker will inform you of the time limited CalWORKs program, which includes the Welfare-to-Work program.

Welfare-to Work Resources for Employers