CalWORKs

The Merced College CalWORKs program serves students and their families by providing educational and career opportunities, combined with an array of high-quality support services that enable students to complete their education goals, find meaningful employment, and a successfully transition into the workforce. Through collaboration and advocacy with our college and community partners, we prepare a segment of California’s workforce by promoting the economic self-sufficiency of CalWORKs students through the attainment of a higher education.

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) is a state funded welfare-to-work program designed to help individuals on public assistance. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), is a cash aid program (welfare) for parents who meet income guidelines and have a child in the home under the age of 18.

Merced College CalWORKs program work collaboratively with Merced County Human Services Agency (H.S.A) to meet the needs of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) students. The H.S.A. CalWORKs program provides temporary financial assistance to qualifying families and provides Medi-Cal Coverage for all recipients. There is a work requirement of 20/35/40 hours per week based on a one or two parent household.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have a verified deprivation. Deprivations include unemployment, underemployment (less than 100 hours per month), disability or incapacity, and absent parent of a child/children under 18 years old. Household income and resources also go into the eligibility determination. (Household income and resources are also included when determining eligibility)