Teens and Welfare: Getting Help for Yourself
From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources
Contents |
Your Rights
- Can I Get CalWORKs if I'm Pregnant?
- Yes, if you are a teen with no other children. You must not be aided on someone else’s case and not yet have a diploma or GED. The aid starts when you verify you’re pregnant.
- If you are a teen parent with a diploma, you only get CalWORKs if you are in your third trimester.
- Can I Have My Own Welfare Case?
- In most cases, no. Pregnant or parenting teens under 18 usually must live with a responsible adult, who will get the aid.
- Exceptions: You can get your own CalWORKs case if:
- Your parents won’t let you live at home.
- A CPS worker says your or your child’s physical or emotional safety would be in danger if you stayed with a responsible adult.
- You lived apart from your parents at least 12 months before your baby was born, or before applying for CalWORKs.
- Your parents or guardians are dead, or you don’t know where they are.
- You are married or emancipated.
- The adult refuses to receive the aid check for you.
- Will My Baby Get Aid?
- Maybe. CalWORKs has a rule that keeps children conceived and born while their parents are on welfare from getting aid. It is called the “Maximum Family Grant” (or “MFG”) rule. There are exceptions.
- Some examples of when the MFG rule doesn’t apply are:
- The family didn’t get written notice of the rule at least 10 months before the birth.
- The child was born before June 2001 to a teen parent.
- You got pregnant because of a failed IUD, Norplant or sterilization, or through rape or incest (reported either before or within three months after the birth).
- Note: If you are told your child is “MFG,” ask for a hearing and have a legal advocate review your case. There are other times the rules doesn’t apply.
- The MFG rule ends after your family has been off aid for 24 months, or when you are/were a teen parent and you start getting your own aid.
- Do I Need to Do Welfare-to-Work?
- No, as long as you are in school full-time, or you are pregnant or a teen parent getting a diploma or GED.
- Do I Have Only 60 Months of CalWORKs
- Generally not. The 60-month clock doesn’t run for:
- Teenagers who are not parents.
- Teen parents 18 and under until they earn a high school diploma or GED.
- 18 and 19 year old parents who volunteer to stay in Cal-Learn until graduation.
- Can I Get My Own Medi-Cal?
- Yes. Apply for “Minor Consent Services.” Your parents’ income won’t be counted. They won’t be told about the application.
- You can get treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, family planning, sexual assault, pregnancy and pregnancy-related needs.
- If you are 14 or older, don’t live with your parents, and are self-supporting, apply for your own Medi-Cal case.
- Yes. Apply for “Minor Consent Services.” Your parents’ income won’t be counted. They won’t be told about the application.
Solving Problems
If you are about to finish high school or your GED and want more school, enroll in college or training right away. If you are not in school, you will be called into welfare-to-work. If you are enrolled in school before your first appointment, you will get education as your assignment.
- Ask questions. Get explanations.
- Get denials in writing.
- If you are nervous or want support, bring a friend or an adult with you.
- If you are pregnant, get proof from a clinic or doctor.
- Apply for the pregnancy supplement ($47).
- Ask to talk to the supervisor. If you are 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.
Need More Help?
For more legal help and information, you can use LawHelpCalifornia to contact a local legal advocate.
