The 2026-27 Budget: CalWORKs

Feb 18, 2026 - As shown in Figure  5, the CalWORKs caseload has steadily grown from early in 2021-22, coinciding with the expiration of enhanced federal Unemployment Insurance benefits following the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5122

The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 18, 2026 - From approximately $4.7  billion General Fund (absent one ‑time federal funds used to offset General Fund during COVID ‑19) to $12.6  billion General Fund (absent the Governor ’s proposed 2026 ‑27 IHSS reductions).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: Food Assistance Programs

Feb 18, 2026 - Payment error rates in California and nationally have risen in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. CFAP Provides State-Funded Food Assistance to Certain Legally Present Noncitizens.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5126

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - This is largely due to other competing policy priorities —for example ACA implementation and COVID ‑19 response efforts. H.R.  1 will likely continue to strain the department ’s ability to develop a revised methodology in the near  term.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Human Services

Nov 21, 2025 - The Fruit and Vegetable Pilot received about $10  million in 2018-19 and about $10  million in 2024-25 (both of which were all General Fund). The Diaper and Wipe Distribution program received $10  million in 2018-19, $30  million in 2021-22, and $9  million in 2024-25 (all General Fund).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5086/3

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Human Services

Nov 21, 2025 - This fee was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Budget-related legislation now eliminates the fee program due to its administrative complexity and minor impact on revenues. The 2024-25 spending plan eliminated t wo similar fees for higher-income families with children served by regional centers.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5086/1

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Human Services

Nov 21, 2025 - These proposals include: Proposal to Eliminate IHSS Benefits for Undocumented Adults Aged 19 and Older . At the time of the May Revision, the administration estimated this proposal to save $158.8  million in 2025-26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5086/4

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Human Services

Nov 21, 2025 - CalWORKs caseload has generally increased since fall 2021 (following a decrease in caseload during the COVID-19 pandemic, described in further detail in prior posts ). The 2025-26 spending plan anticipates this upward trend to continue, with caseload forecasted to average about 364,000 households per month in 2025-26, representing an increase of about 1 percent compared to 2024-25.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5086/2

Trends in CalWORKs: Participant Characteristics

Jun 16, 2025 - This increase was largely due to the COVID ‑19 ‑related economic downturn. In 2022, the poverty rate decreased back to pre ‑pandemic levels. During and After COVID ‑19 Pandemic, Official and Supplemental Poverty Rates Moved in Opposite Directions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5057

The 2025-26 Budget: CalWORKs

Feb 19, 2025 - The higher amount of TANF carry forward in 2024-25 (as compared to 2025-26) likely reflects the expenditure of many of the remaining unspent TANF funds accumulated during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4969