CalWORKs Childcare: Getting Help Paying for Your Child Care

From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources

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Contents 1 CalWORKs Child Care 2 Solving Problems 3 Need More Help?

CalWORKs Child Care

• What is CalWORKs Child Care?

Payments through the CalWORKs program for those in welfare-to-work or work, and former recipients in training or working.

• When Do I Get It?
  • You are doing a welfare-to-work appointment or assignment.
  • If you are working and getting cash aid, even if you found your job without help from the county.
  • If you got CalWORKs aid in the last two years.
• For What Age Children?
  • Children 10 or under.
  • If there is funding, CalWORKs will cover children who are 11 or 12.
  • Children of any age who can’t stay alone because of a physical, mental, or developmental disability.
  • Special Note: You can get child care for children not on CalWORKs themselves, such as children on SSI.
• Stages of Child Care

You should not notice moving between the stages. It’s important to know about them, though, in case you have problems.

• Stage 1
  • This is for families in welfare-to-work activities that are not stable.
  • It’s also used for up to two years after you stop getting CalWORKs, if the other stages of child care can’t be used.
  • The welfare department either runs this stage or contracts with “Alternative Payment Programs.”
• Stage 2
  • For families that are in stable welfare-to-work activities.
  • It’s also used for up to two years after you stop getting CalWORKs, if your income is below a certain level.
• Stage 3
  • When a funded space is open, and if your family’s income is below a certain level.
  • Special Note: In Stage 2 and 3, the Department of Education is in charge, but locally the program is run by Alternative Payment Programs or the welfare department.

• What Child Care is Covered?

You can pick the type of child care you want:

• Child care in your own home. The child care person does not need a license. It could be a relative, neighbor, or friend.
• Child care in the provider’s home. This person does not need a license if caring for the children of only one family.
• Care in a licensed child care center.

• When Can't I Get It?

You can’t get paid to care for your own children. Also, other adults on your grant and people who don’t clear “Trustline” can’t get paid to do the care.

• Is It Free? - Yes, unless you are off aid. Then you may have to pay a portion of the cost of child care, but this depends on your income.
• How Is It Paid? - Usually, to the child care provider. If care is done in your home, the county may give you the money to pay the worker. CalWORKs should pay up front if that is how the person runs their business.

Solving Problems

• Work with the Resource and Referral Center to help find child care.
• Can’t find child care? You have “good cause” not to make your appointment or do your welfare to work task. Make sure you tell your worker. Put it in writing.
• If you have a newborn, you may be “exempt” from doing welfare to work. (See Exemptions: When You Are Unable to Do Welfare to Work.)
• You can get child care as a volunteer.
• Can’t fix the problem? Ask for a hearing!
  • If you are in Stage 1, fill out the back of any CalWORKs Notice of Action, or call (800) 952-5253.
  • For other stages, ask the agency running the program for a hearing.

Need More Help?

For more legal help and information, you can use LawHelpCalifornia to contact a local legal advocate.