CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

efugees. Children do not need to be certified.
Are family members of victims of trafficking
also eligible for benefits to the same extent
as refugees?
Yes, certain family members are eligible as
follows:
• If the victim was under age 21 when the
trafficking visa was filed, his/her eligible
family members include spouse, children,
parents and unmarried siblings who were
under age 18 when the trafficking visa was
filed.
• If the victim was age 21 or over when the
trafficking visa was filed, his/her eligible
family members include spouse and children
only.
Can victims of trafficking and eligible family
members be eligible for RCA when they are
not eligible for CalWORKs?
Yes. Victims of trafficking and family members
who are not eligible for CalWORKs may be
eligible for RCA if they are within the first 8
months from the Date of Entry (DOE).
Unlike CalWORKs, RCA does not require that
the caretaker be related within the fifth degree
or that the children be deprived due to absence,
death, disability or unemployment of a parent.
Families/individuals who are not eligible for
CalWORKs but may be eligible for RCA, should
be referred to a district designated to process
RCA benefits. The districts are: South Family,
Southwest Family, Glendale, Metro North and
San Gabriel Valley.
What is certification?
The Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR)
may certify an adult victim of trafficking who:
• Is willing to assist in every reasonable way in
the investigation and prosecution of
trafficking cases; and