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CWES Program
It is the intent of the CWES Program to provide employment and training services as needed to all adult CalWORKs recipients in order for them to reach self-sufficiency.
CWES Participation Requirements and Exemption Policy
[EAS 42-711]
Santa Clara County is committed to meeting the federal Work Participation Rate (WPR) and assisting CalWORKs clients in becoming self-sufficient. In order to aid in these efforts, Social Services Benefits Specialists (SSBSs) and Associate Employment Counselors (AECs)/Employment Counselors (ECs) must make every effort to encourage exempt clients to volunteer and take advantage of the many services that CWES offers.
An individual may not be required to participate in a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activity if they qualify for an exemption. The SSBS determines whether or not an individual is exempt from CWES registration. The AEC/EC may request that the SSBS review for an exemption when information is disclosed that suggests the individual may meet one of the exemption criteria.
The SSBS must determine whether an individual is:
- Required to participate in WTW activities,
- Required to participate in Cal-Learn, or
- Exempt from participation.
All persons must either be participating in or exempt from WTW activities. To determine where an individual must be referred, use the following chart:
| Status of Individual | Refer To... |
| All eligible CalWORKs recipients, unless exempt. | CWES |
| The Principal Earner (PE) who is ineligible only because they have not been unemployed for four weeks (28 calendar days). | CWES |
| An essential person who must participate in order to be included in the Assistance Unit (AU). | CWES |
| A teen parent, defined as a pregnant or custodial teen parent under the age of 19 (or 20, if appropriate) who has not received a high school diploma or the equivalent (regardless of whether this teen parent is considered a child or an adult in the AU). | Cal-Learn; see the Cal-Learn topic. |
A client can request an exemption at any time by the following means:
- Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7),
- Mid-Period Status Report (SAR 3),
- Application for CalFresh, Cash Aid, and/or Medi-Cal/Health Care Programs (SAWS 2 Plus/Statement of Facts (SOF)),
- CalWORKs Exemption Request Form (CW 2186A), or
- A verbal request (which must be documented by the worker).
Reminder: The CalWORKs Exemption Determination (CW 2186B) MUST be sent in all instances that a client requests an exemption, whether the exemption is approved or denied.
Volunteers
A volunteer is a CalWORKs recipient who is exempt from CWES registration, but who volunteers to participate.
Exemption Review Date
The month and year the exemption expires MUST be verified and documented. When the exemption expires, the client must provide a new verification for any new exemptions or another verification if the exemption still applies. If the client is no longer exempt from CWES participation, the SSBS will register the client with CWES.
Related Topics
Exemption Based on Domestic Abuse
Exemption Based on Needy Nonparent Relative
Exemption Based on School Attendance
Exemption Based on the Need to Care for an Ill or Incapacitated Person Residing in the Home