The intent of the CalWORKs child care legislation is that current and former recipients:

• be connected as soon as possible with local child care
• make stable child care arrangements;
• continue to receive subsidized child care services as long as they are eligible; and
• no longer rely on the welfare department for child care subsidies

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CalWORKs child care is divided into three stages.

• Stage One is administered by the county and supervised by the State Department of Social Services.
• Stage Two and Three are administered by Alternative Payment Programs (APPs) who contract with the California Department of Education. Stages Two and Three are regulated by rules separate from Stage One rules. This fact sheet refers only to Stage One rules.

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In order to be eligible for Stage One child care benefits; there must be an eligible participant, an eligible child and an eligible provider.

1. An eligible participant is a cash aid recipient who is working or participating in an approved welfare-to-work activity, and who has no other parent, legal guardian, or other adult member of the assistance unit in the home who is able and available to provide care.
2. An eligible child is under the age of thirteen. Older children may be eligible if they are physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves.
3. An eligible provider must be18 years or older and be either licensed or license-exempt. License-exempt providers must meet the Trustline and health and safety requirements. An eligible provider cannot be the parent (whether residing with the child or not); the legal guardian; or a member of the assistance unit.

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Former CalWORKs recipients are eligible to child care services for up to 24 months after cash aid is discontinued as long as their adjusted monthly income is below 76% of the state median income level.

Former CalWorks recipients may apply for child care services at Child Action, Inc. (www.childaction.org)

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