CalWORKs Benefit Estimator
Region, family size, and exempt status all shift your Maximum Aid Payment — see the ceiling for your situation.
CalWORKs pays a Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) that varies by family size, whether your county is Region 1 (higher cost-of-living) or Region 2, and whether your household is "exempt" (SSI/IHSS/SDI-linked) or "non-exempt." If your family has other income, your actual grant is reduced below this ceiling.
Select your family size, region, and status to see your Maximum Aid Payment ceiling.
CalWORKs Benefit Estimator
Maximum Aid Payment
How this is calculated
This tool looks up the Maximum Aid Payment for your family size, region, and exempt/non-exempt status from the current CalWORKs MAP table. The Region 1 figures come directly from a verified county fact sheet; Region 2 figures are approximated at about 95% of the Region 1 amount, based on the historical ratio between the two regions — confirm your county's exact figure with your county human services agency.
This is the ceiling amount for a family with no other countable income; if your family has earnings or other income, your actual monthly grant is reduced below this MAP ceiling using CalWORKs' income disregard and reduction rules, which this simplified tool doesn't calculate.
CalWORKs cash aid is also generally subject to a lifetime time limit (commonly 48 months for adults, with some exceptions).
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines my CalWORKs grant amount?
Your family size, which county region you live in (Region 1 counties have a higher cost of living and a slightly higher grant than Region 2), and whether your household is "exempt" (includes a member on SSI, IHSS, SDI, or temporary workers' comp/disability, or a non-needy caretaker relative) or "non-exempt."
What's the difference between exempt and non-exempt CalWORKs status?
An "exempt" household includes a member receiving SSI, IHSS, SDI, temporary workers' compensation, or temporary disability, or is a non-needy/non-parent caretaker relative — these households get a higher Maximum Aid Payment than "non-exempt" households of the same size.
Which counties are in Region 1 vs Region 2?
Region 1 generally covers higher cost-of-living counties (including Los Angeles and most major metro counties), while Region 2 covers lower cost-of-living counties. Check with your county human services agency to confirm your county's region.
Is the CalWORKs grant the same as the maximum aid payment?
The Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) is the ceiling for a family with no other countable income. If your family has other income, your actual grant is reduced from the MAP based on income disregards and a percentage reduction — this estimator shows the MAP ceiling, not a full income-adjusted calculation.
Does CalWORKs have a time limit?
Yes, generally a lifetime limit of 48 months of aid for adults (with some exceptions and extensions), though children can continue to receive aid as a "child-only" case after the adult's time limit is reached.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not affiliated with CDSS. Confirm your county's exact region and current MAP table with your county human services agency.