CalWORKs and CalFresh Caseloads Increase
Public income support and food subsidies provide a critical safety net to those living in, or at risk of, poverty. These supports can offset the negative pressures of poverty, including the stress 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
Between 2022/23 and 2023/24, the number of individuals receiving CalFresh and CalWORKs increased 6% and 3%, respectively.
MORE PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING CALFRESH AND CALWORKS
Enrollment in CalWORKs and CalFresh in San Bernardino County, 2015-2024
San Bernardino County Serves 6% of California Households Receiving Public Assistance
While San Bernardino County is home to 5% of California’s households, 6% of the 2 million California households receiving cash public assistance or CalFresh reside in San Bernardino County.
Program Descriptions
CalWORKs, federally known 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
Fifty-four percent (54%) of CalFresh and CalWORKs participants identified as Latino, which aligns with the proportion of the population in San Bernardino County that identify as Latino (54%). Almost one-fifth (19%) of CalWORKs participants and 14% of CalFresh participants identify as Black, which are higher proportions than the proportion of the overall population that identifies as Black (8%). Conversely, 16% of CalWORKs and 10% of CalFresh participants identify as White, which are lower proportions than the proportion of the overall population that identifies as White (25%). Participants who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American comprise a small proportion of the CalWORKs and CalFresh caseloads. These findings generally correlate with income and poverty rates by race/ethnicity (see Median Household Income and Cost of Living, and Overall Poverty).
MOST CALWORKS AND CALFRESH PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFY AS LATINO OR BLACK
Distribution of Enrollment in CalWORKs and CalFresh by Race/Ethnicity Compared to Distribution of Population by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2023-24
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
Sixty-one percent (61%) of CalFresh participants and 47% of CalWORKs participants are children and youth under 18 years. An additional 27% of CalFresh and 54% of CalWORKs participants are adults between 18 and 64 years of age.
MORE THAN 1-IN-2 CALFRESH PARTICIPANTS ARE UNDER AGE 18
Distribution of Enrollment in CalWORKs and CalFresh by Age in San Bernardino County, 2023-24
CalWORKs
CalFresh
Source: San Bernardino County Human Services