Cash Assistance in California, Texas: Eligibility, Requirements to Avail Program

States like California and Texas are offering cash assistance programs for their cash-strapped residents. The project aims to provide help to pay for their basic needs.

Cash assistance in California is called CalWorks, which serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated by welfare departments, according to California's Department of Social Services site.

If a family has little to no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing, or medical care, they may be qualified to apply for CalWorks, an immediate short-term help.

Meanwhile, Texas also offers cash assistance for their residents, which the state calls Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Cash Assistance in California: How to Apply, Eligibility

To be qualified for cash assistance in California, one must be a resident of California, a U.S. citizen, a legal migrant, or a qualified migrant.

In addition, one must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income, according to a benefits.gov site.

People who are eyeing to apply for cash assistance in California must have a child 18 years of age or younger, pregnant or be 18 years of age or younger, and the head of your household.

The amount of a family's monthly assistance relies on a number of factors, such as the number of people who are eligible and the special needs of any of those family members.

The income of the household is also considered in computing the amount of cash aid the family receives.

People who qualify for the cash assistance can apply online https://www.benefitscal.org or contact the local county social services agency in their respective county.

Family requesting assistance must complete application forms and provide proof of income and property, citizenship status, age, social security number, residence, shelter costs, work or school status, and other required information.

Adult family members must also be fingerprinted and have their photos taken.

Cash Assistance in Texas: How to Apply, Eligibility

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in Texas provides the same kind of help to its residents as California does.

However, it covers medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid and other basic needs.

TANF for families can be given to eligible residents. Texas officials look at the amount the family pays for basic needs such as rent, utilities, child care, and work-related expenses.

Resources such as cash on hand, money in the bank, as well as the type of vehicles are also considered, according to a Texas site.

Families in Texas who are approved for TANF will receive payments for six months. Texas Health and Human Services Commission will then send a renewal application to the family before the end of the six months.

Households qualified for TANF can get Medicaid benefits, and they can choose if they want to receive one or both types of benefits.

HHSC provides TANF payments through the Lone Star Card, an electronic debit card used as a credit card at the cash register.

There is also a one-time TANF that hands out $1,000. It is given to families in crisis who have children age 18 and younger and do not have a lot of money or have a way to get more money, according to HHS Texas site.

Maximum monthly TANF amount range from $107 for a family size of one with child-only cases, while a family size of five with child-only cases can get as much as $329.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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