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CalWORKs and CalFresh Caseloads Decline

Public income support and food subsidies provide a critical safety net to those living in or at risk of poverty. These supports can work against the negative pressures of poverty, including the stress and strained family relationships that can result from the challenges of paying for basic needs. To assess the demand for these services, this indicator measures caseloads of two core public assistance programs, CalWORKs and CalFresh.

TREND

The number of individuals receiving CalFresh dropped a total of 12% in the past five years. Similarly, the number of individuals receiving CalWORKs has fallen 29% over the past five years.

While San Bernardino County is home to 5.0% of California’s households, 5.7% of the 1.97 million California households receiving cash public assistance or CalFresh reside in San Bernardino County.[1]  Veterans make up only 1% of CalFresh recipients and even fewer of CalWORKs recipients.

FEWER PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING CALWORKS AND CALFRESH
Enrollment in CalWORKs and CalFresh in San Bernardino County, 2018-2022

Source: San Bernardino County Human Services

Program Descriptions

CalWORKs, federally know as Transitional Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), is a public assistance program that provides cash aid and services to eligible families that have one or more children in the home.

CalFresh, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most food items at many markets and food stores.

Most programs require income and asset limitations, as well as citizenship or permanent legal resident status. Other eligibility factors may apply such as county or state residency, age, or time in the program (time-limits).

RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL

Thirty-nine percent of CalFresh participants and 38% of CalWORKs participants identified as Latino.  Almost one-third (31%) of CalFresh participants and 25% of CalWORKs participants identify as White. Participants who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American comprise a small proportion of the CalWORKs and CalFresh caseloads.

MOST CALWORKS AND CALFRESH PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFY AS LATINO OR WHITE
Distribution of Enrollment in CalWORKs and CalFresh by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2021/22

Note: Individuals may select more than one race, so total percentages may sum to more than 100%.

Source:  San Bernardino County Human Services

SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL

More than three-quarters (76%) of CalWORKs participants and 41% of CalFresh participants are children and youth under 18 years. An additional 48% of CalFresh and 20% of CalWORKs participants are adults between 18 and 65 years of age.

3-IN-4 CALWORKS PARTICIPANTS ARE UNDER AGE 18

Distribution of Enrollment in CalWORKs and CalFresh by Age in San Bernardino County, 2021/22

Source: San Bernardino County Human Services


[1] 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B19058 

12019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table B19058 (factfinder.census.gov)   2To calculate the PAI, the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses a formula that excludes certain groups that receive other benefits. The formula is available at https://cfpa.net/program-access-index-pai-2016/.