CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

Will still receive bonuses for satisfactory progress
and for a high school diploma (Cal-Learn fund)
Pregnant and parenting teens under 19, who are
not receiving aid as children in a senior parent’s
household are exempt from the CalWORKs
48-month time clock until they turn age 20 or
graduate from high school or its equivalent,
whichever comes first.
Are WtW teens subject to sanction/penalty for
not complying with WtW and/or school
attendance requirements?
Yes, they are subject to a penalty or sanction for
non-compliance as follows:
Teens under the age of 16
If a teen under the age of 16 is not attending school
regularly and does not have good cause, a school
penalty is to be applied to the parent(s)/caretaker
relative(s). Their needs are not to be considered
when calculating the CalWORKs grant. [The grant
is reduced by the adult parent’s or caretaker’s
portion.]
If the teen is attending school regularly, but fails to
make satisfactory progress, a WtW sanction is to be
imposed on the teen. The teen’s needs are not to
be considered when calculating the CalWORKs
grant. (The AU’s grant is reduced by the teen’s
portion.)
Teens ages 16 & 17
If a teen who is age 16 or 17 is not attending school
regularly and does not have good cause, a school
penalty is to be applied to the teen. The teen’s
needs are not to be considered when calculating the
CalWORKs grant. (The AU’s grant is reduced by the
teen’s portion.)
If the teen is attending school regularly, but fails to
make satisfactory progress, a WtW sanction is to be
imposed on the teen [not the adult parent(s) or
caretaker(s)]. The teen’s needs are not to be
considered when calculating the CalWORKs grant.