Public Assistance
In 2009-2010, over 2600 adults participated in Monterey County’s CalWorks program, an increase 34.2% over the previous year; roughly two-thirds of these were women. The number of Medi-Cal cases was also up, averaging a 7.4% increase between 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. (Source: Monterey County Department of Social & Employment Services, 2011)
As a result of rigid public benefit eligibility requirements, working women often make too much to qualify for services but not enough to adequately provide for their families. Many programs are not open to single women unless they have children. Long waits for service and share-of-cost programs also are a burden to the working poor.
Women participating in a focus group characterized benefit verification processes as:
“… invasive and often demeaning; instead of preserving your dignity, they tear you down.”
Source: Monterey County Department of Social & Employment Services, 2011
Confirmed in Compliance with National