The California Department of Social Services has informed counties about changes to the CalWORKs program from the Transforming CalWORKs initiative encompassed in SB 119 and SB 146.
Effective immediately, the county must gather the recipients determination of their skills, prior work experience, and employability as part of the appraisal. Participants whose Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activity is not immediately available will not longer be required to participate in job search. Participants who do not obtain unsubsidized employment at the end of their WTW plan will no longer be required to do a reappraisal and are not limited in the WTW activity they can choose.
Effective July, 2026, or when any required automation is completed, orientation and appraisal will be combined. Participants will be able to complete the appraisal independently. The appraisal will be available online. Job search and job club will not longer be required for participants following orientation and appraisal. Participants will be able to complete their WTW plan independently. If the participant does not complete the appraisal and WTW plan within 45 days, or if the participant asks for help, the county will set an appointment to help them. Counties will review and update participants’ WTW plan regularly.
There will be several more allowable WTW activities, including mental health, substance abuse, CalWORKS home visiting, and domestic violence services; financial literacy classes and coaching; activities that develop and enhance workplace skills, activities to help ensure child well-being, health, education and welfare; activities that lay the foundation for employment; and activities related to legal issues or housing stability.
All transportation supportive service payment will be required to be advanced to the participant. Participants will not be able to be sanctioned if child care was not available during a missed activity.
There will be no sanctions during the first 90 days receiving CalWORKs. A sanctioned participant will be able to cure their sanction by stating verbally or in writing that they want to participate in WTW activities. (ACL 25-78, October 31, 2025.)