Welfare-to-Work: How It Works

From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources

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Contents 1 Welfare-to-Work 2 Solving Problems 3 Need More Help?

Welfare-to-Work

• What Is Welfare-to-Work?
  • Adults in CalWORKs must do “work activities” to get aid. Unless excused, one adult on aid must do 32 hours/week; two parents do 35 hours/week. See Exemptions: When You Are Unable to Do Welfare to Work, for when you may be excused.
  • You can get training and services to help you earn enough to get off welfare.

• Orientation and Appraisal

• The “Orientation” tells you about the welfare-to-work rules. The county next does an “appraisal” to see:

1. If you should be excused from welfare-to-work;
2. Ask if you need services like childcare and transportation to do the program.

• Appraisal is often at the same time as the orientation.)
• The county can’t make you do the Appraisal or Job Search if you are not on cash aid yet.

• Job Search

After appraisal you will be sent to job search for up to four weeks.

• You don’t have to do job search if it conflicts with your job or county-approved schooling.
• You can ask to skip job search if it will not be useful for you. Ask to see the county policy on this.
• The County can make job search longer or shorter than 4 weeks. Ask your worker if you want this.
• Note: The county won’t let you shorten or skip Job Search? Ask for a hearing!

• Assessment

Next, the county does an “assessment” of your education and work experience. It uses this information to make your welfare-to-work plan.

• If the county thinks you have a learning, physical, or mental impairment, or if you ask for a disability review, the county must refer you to a specialist. The specialist will see if you have a condition that prevents you from doing a welfare-to-work program or if there are services that can help you.

• The Welfare-to-Work Plan

The "welfare-to-work plan" lists what you will do to get the skills you need to go from welfare to work. See Welfare-to-Work Plans: Know Your Rights for more information. The plan also lists the services you will get to do your plan. See Support Services: Getting What You Need in Welfare to Work.

• Disagree with the Assessment/Plan?

Ask in writing for a “Third-Party Assessment.” A non-county person will review your needs and create a plan. Ask for a hearing if you don’t get what you want.

• Reappraisal

Finished your welfare-to-work plan, but don’t have a 32-35 hour job? The county will do a “reappraisal” of your skills and needs. If needed, you should get more activities.

• Community Service

After 18-24 months of training time, you must either work or do unpaid work to keep getting aid. If the county doesn’t pay for the services you need to do community service, you are excused from unpaid work.)

Solving Problems

• Getting A Good Plan
  • Ask questions. Negotiate the terms of the plan.
  • Bring a friend or advocate to help you review the contract.
  • Don’t agree to a plan that you know you won’t be able to do.
• If Your Plan is Bad...
  • You have three working days to ask for changes. Call right away, and follow up in writing!
  • You have 30 days from starting your plan to ask for a new assignment.
  • Ask for a new plan if your situation changes so you can’t do your plan.
  • If the County won’t change your plan, ask for a Third-Party Assessment. A non-county person will review your assessment and plan.
• Community Service Time

Not getting useful skills from your unpaid work? Ask for a new assignment. or challenge your plan.

• Problems? 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.