Access to education (CalWORKs)

CalWORKs Employment Services provides access to education for CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work recipients to further their education and improve employment prospects. Education through this program can be vocational, trade, certificate, or degree programs. Enrollment in post-secondary or non-profit institutions may allow recipients to receive other supportive services.

• CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work recipients.
• Recipients who are enrolled in, or interested in enrolling in, education or training that will help them meet Welfare-to-Work requirements and create a career pathway.
• People attending community colleges may be eligible to enroll in EOPS and CAREs programs in addition to CalWORKs services (EOPS and CAREs).

What education qualifies

• Vocational training
• Trade programs
• Certificate programs
• Associate or bachelor degree programs

Supportive services and benefits

• Enrollment in post-secondary at non-profit institutions can make you eligible for advanced supportive services (advanced standard payment).
• Support may include child care and transportation assistance when needed to participate in education-related activities (discuss eligibility and arrangements with your CalWORKs Eligibility Worker or CalWORKs Employment Services Case Manager).

Requirements and preparation

• Must be a CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work recipient.
• Gather any school or training information you already have, such as:
  • Transcripts
  • Registration documents
  • Records of IEPs or 504 plans
  • Learning disability diagnosis
• Consider securing child care and transportation ahead of time; your CalWORKs Eligibility Worker or CalWORKs Employment Services Case Manager can help identify options.

How the education support works

Recipients work with their Welfare-to-Work case managers and education providers to set education goals aligned with career pathways. Recipients who are enrolled in qualifying education programs can receive advanced supportive services and may be connected to additional college resources.

Get help / Contact

For questions regarding CalWORKs Employment Services contact the Employment and Training Branch: 415-473-3350