CalWORKs Special Needs Payments: Getting What You Need

CalWORKs Special Needs: Your Rights

What Are They? -
- Special need payments are for things that are not needed by most people, but are crucial to your family.
- There are payments for ongoing needs (needed more than one-month) and onetime payments for “nonrecurring” needs.
Ongoing Needs

These are the one-time payments for:

Therapeutic Diets (Diabetic, High Calorie, High protein (including special infant formula), Lactation, Bland, Low Fat/Cholesterol, Low Salt.
Special transportation (such as really frequent or long trips for treatments).
Special laundry (such as extra washing for a medical condition).
Chore provider, when no one in the house can perform the household tasks.
Utility bills help when you have an unusual need (such as a medical device with high energy use).

One-Time Needs
- These are for household emergencies when you have a “sudden and unusual circumstance” that is:
  - beyond your control and
  - you have less than $100.
- This payment is made only:
  - to repair damages to the home;
  - to replace clothing or household items; or
  - to pay for temporary housing if your home was destroyed or made unlivable or inaccessible.
- The state has set a maximum amount per item that the county can pay. The total payments for this need cannot go over $600 per emergency.
Pregnancy Supplement
- If you are already on CalWORKs, you can get an extra $47 per month the whole time you are pregnant. You can start getting the extra money as soon as you give the county medical proof of your pregnancy.
- If you are applying for aid with no other children, you get the Supplement in your third trimester, when you turn in your proof.
Homeless Assistance

If you are on/applying for CalWORKs, you can get:

$65/day for a motel (for up to 16 days) if you:
- are homeless. (Includes staying at shelters, in cars, on the street, or with someone an emergency basis.)
- Have less than $100 in cash.
- Look for permanent housing.
- Have not gotten CalWORKs Homeless Assistance before. (You can get help again if you are now homeless because of domestic violence, physical or mental illness, or your home was condemned or damaged by a fire/natural disaster.)
- Special Note: If you qualify, you get the money the day you ask for it, unless the county finds you emergency shelter.
Move-in Costs - Money for last month's rent, utility, and cleaning deposits.
- You must prove you found a place to rent (commercial landlords only).
- Your share of the rent must be below 80% of your grant.
- You turn in a written rental agreement.
- Special Note: If you qualify, you get the money the day you ask for it, unless the county finds you emergency shelter. If you qualify, the county pay you the money by the next working day.

The county must tell you what special needs it can pay for and how to get them.
During your application interview, mention any unusual needs your family has.
On aid? Call your worker, then send the request in writing.
Bring any proof with you that you have. For example, pictures of fire damage, a doctor’s letter about medical equipment, etc.
Get denials in writing.
Ask to talk to a supervisor if denied. If still denied, ask for a hearing.
To ask for a state hearing, fill out the back of any Notice of Action or call (800) 952-5253.

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