What is Employment Services?

Employment Services, also known as Welfare-to-Work, is a program designed to help adults receiving CalWORKs cash aid prepare for work and find a job. Employment Services can help you get the education you need, improve your job skills, and assist you in removing barriers to successful employment. Finding a job will help you achieve self-sufficiency, and your family will enjoy a better way of life.

Employment Services can also help with important supportive services, such as child care, transportation, and work or training related expenses while working or participating in approved Employment Services activities.

Who qualifies for Employment Services?

You must receive CalWORKs cash aid to participate in Employment Services. Participation in Employment Services is required for all adult CalWORKs recipients, unless you are exempt.

CalWORKs recipients that are exempt may volunteer to take part in Employment Services activities. Volunteers must meet all program rules.

How do I apply for Employment Services?

If you are a recipient of CalWORKs cash aid and required to participate, you will be automatically enrolled in the Employment Services program by your cash aid Eligibility Worker (EW). If you are exempt and would like to participate, contact your cash aid EW for a referral to Employment Services. Once you are enrolled, you will be assigned an Employment Services Case Manager.

What are the Time Limits?

Adults can only receive CalWORKs cash aid in California for a total lifetime limit of 60 months.

Adult CalWORKs recipients are required to participate in Employment Services, unless exempt. Exempt individuals can opt to participate as a volunteer. Once an adult has exhausted their 60-month cash aid time limit, they may be eligible to certain Employment Services retention services. Your Case Manager will tell you whether you are eligible for retention services.

What are the Employment Services participation requirements?

WTW Family Type	Required Hours
Single-parent with a child under six	20
Single-parent with no child under six	30
Two-parent, neither parent disabled	35
Two-parent, one disabled parent with a child under six	20
Two-parent, one disabled parent with no child under six	30

Required hours may vary by activity and family type. Employment Services participants are encouraged to engage in the full range of activities tailored to their goals and needs.

What type of activities does the Employment Services program offer?

There are many paths open to Employment Services participants. Your Case Manager will review your education, job history, needs, and goals to determine which path is right for you. Below are some of the activities you may participate in:

Assessment
Unsubsidized Employment or Self-Employment
Subsidized Employment
Work Study
Work Experience
Community Service
Training or Education Programs
Job Readiness/Job Search Program (Employment Works Program)
Behavioral Health Programs such as Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Domestic Abuse Services

What are supportive services?

Employment Services can help with important supportive services when you are working or participating in approved activities. Supportive Services include the following:

Transportation Expenses
Child Care Costs
Interview Clothes
Work or Training needs (ancillary services) such as books, tools, uniforms or other special clothing

What is my Employment Services Plan?

An Employment Services Plan is a necessary tool that will help guide you in meeting your individual goals. After an in-depth interview with your Case Manager, you will develop an Employment Services plan together. Your plan will be individualized based on your work experience, education, needs, and goals.

What happens if I do not participate?

If for any reason, a mandatory parent does not participate in Employment Services, the following steps will be taken:

You will have the chance to explain why you did not meet the requirements. The county will decide if you have a good reason.
You will be sanctioned, and your family’s cash aid will be lowered if:
- You fail or refuse to meet Employment Services requirements without a good reason, and
- You do not resolve the problem by signing and completing a plan to do what is required.
- If you are sanctioned, your family’s cash aid will be lowered until you do what Employment Services requires. Certain families may also have their CalFresh benefits lowered when they are sanctioned.
If you are sanctioned, you may cure your sanction at any time, regardless of the number of times you have been sanctioned by contacting your cash aid Eligibility Worker or the Employment Services office.