CalWORKs Makes Cuts In Sacramento County

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Many of California's poorest people got the grim news that the services and money they've grown accustomed to are going away.

A lot of recipients say they were just getting their lives together transitioning from welfare to work, but with the budget cuts, they're concerned it's going to cost the state even more money.

"So with all these cuts and stuff, how do they expect us to take care of what we need to take care of?" said Alexandria Wandick, a CalWORKs recipient.

Expect even less.

"It's harder to pay rent now," said CalWORKs recipient Ranisha Sampson.

Paying rent may become even harder.

CalWORKs, California's welfare to work program, is packed at a Sacramento County branch on Florin Road. People are meeting with social workers to learn how much money they will not be getting.

"Jobs are hard to find right now," said Wandick.

Before budget cuts the average CalWORKs recipient received around $504 in grant money a month. That's been reduced to about $460 – an eight percent cut.

CBS13 learned that some county employees were concerned about their safety, thinking their clients may become angry and possibly physical about the money shortage. Security was obvious, but no threats made.

"It kind of makes me angry because it's basically hard being a single mom anyways and not having enough money to support my kids," said Wandick.

CalWORKs is used for things such as job training and child care to get people back on their feet. But some believe it's keeping future tax payers from contributing to state coffers.

"I'm tired of welfare," said Ranisha.

Some are fed up with CalWORKs altogether. "I just got hired yesterday, that's why I'm here, to let my worker know that I work here."

Some are taking the cuts in stride.

"I'm just glad for any kind of help," said CalWORKs recipient Brandon Blackman.

As you know, it's too early to tell the ramifications of these cuts. Obviously this is not just happening here in Sacramento County, but across the country as well.

Sacramento County has more than 35,000 families with children on CalWORKs.