CalWORKs Benefit Estimator
Your Maximum Aid Payment depends on your region, family size and exempt status. See the maximum for your household.
CalWORKs pays a Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) that varies by family size, by whether your county is in Region 1 (higher cost of living) or Region 2, and by whether your household is "exempt" (linked to SSI, IHSS or SDI) or "non-exempt." If your family has other income, your grant is lower than this maximum.
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 CDSS payment standards chart in effect since October 1, 2024 (All County Letter 24-55), for both Region 1 and Region 2. Region 1 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Ventura. All other counties are Region 2.
This is the maximum amount, for a family with no other countable income. If your family has earnings or other income, CalWORKs reduces the monthly grant using its income disregard and reduction rules, which this simplified tool doesn't calculate.
CalWORKs cash aid is also generally subject to a lifetime time limit (60 months for adults since May 1, 2022, 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?
A household is "exempt" if a member receives SSI, IHSS, SDI, temporary workers' compensation or temporary disability, or if the caretaker is a non-needy or non-parent relative. Exempt 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 is Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Ventura counties. Every other county is Region 2, which has slightly lower grants.
Is the CalWORKs grant the same as the maximum aid payment?
The Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) is the most a family with no other countable income can receive. If your family has other income, the grant is reduced from the MAP using income disregards and a percentage reduction. This estimator shows the MAP, not an income-adjusted grant.
Does CalWORKs have a time limit?
Yes. Since May 1, 2022, adults have a 60-month lifetime limit (up from 48 months), 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.