One more thing to consider - when they reinstate your case, double-check that they're using the correct household size and all eligible deductions. Common deductions that people miss include: - Dependent care expenses - Medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled household members - Legally obligated child support payments - Shelter costs over 50% of your income after other deductions Make sure all of these are properly accounted for in your case. The appeals representative should have gone through these with you, but it's worth confirming when they reinstate your benefits.

I went through something similar with my CalFresh case earlier this year! The income calculations are so confusing and it seems like different workers sometimes come up with different numbers for the same income. The good news is that when they fix your case, you should definitely get those retroactive benefits for September and October. In my experience, it usually shows up as separate deposits for each month you missed. Keep checking your EBT balance regularly because sometimes they don't even send a notice when they add the back payments. Also, make sure you keep all your documentation from the appeals process - especially anything showing that the county admitted they made an error. That conditional withdrawal was smart because it protects you if they don't follow through on fixing everything. Hang in there, the system is frustrating but you're doing everything right! 💪

Just to add to what everyone is saying - now that you have CalWORKs, your time on aid is limited. Most adults can only receive CalWORKs for a total of 48 months (4 years) in their lifetime. The months don't have to be consecutive, but they add up over time. CalFresh doesn't have a time limit like this. Make sure you understand all the requirements so you don't lose benefits or get unexpected overpayments!

Welcome to the world of dual benefits! This is exactly how I found out I had CalWORKs too - just noticed extra money on my EBT card one day. Since you're working 20 hours at Target, that might actually satisfy most of your welfare-to-work requirements, but definitely confirm with your worker. Also heads up - CalWORKs has stricter asset limits than CalFresh (like $2,750 in bank accounts vs $2,750+ for CalFresh), so keep that in mind if you're saving money. The good news is CalWORKs can help with things like childcare costs while you're working, so it might actually make your life easier once you get used to all the extra paperwork!

yall should definitely try growing food if u can!! i started with just some tomato plants and basil on my tiny apartment balcony and it was actually sooo much cheaper than buying them at the store. now i grow like 6 different veggies and save at least $50 a month on groceries during the summer

I want to mention something important that hasn't been covered yet - timing your purchases. Most stores only stock vegetable seedlings and a good selection of seeds in spring (March-May). If you wait until summer, the selection is much more limited. Garden centers at places like Home Depot might have them longer, but grocery stores typically only stock them seasonally. If you're planning to use your CalFresh benefits for gardening, I'd recommend planning ahead and purchasing your seeds/plants during spring when the selection is best. You can also look into indoor gardening options (like herbs on a windowsill) that can be started any time of year. For the Sacramento area specifically, this is the perfect time to start seedlings for summer vegetables!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help - if you're in Los Angeles County, they have a really helpful IHSS hotline (1-888-944-4477) where you can ask questions about the application process and what to expect. They also have bilingual staff if that's helpful. Also, when you do apply for IHSS, make sure to have documentation ready about your daughter's disabilities and care needs. The assessment process can take a while, but having medical records, therapy notes, and maybe a letter from her doctor about her specific needs can help speed things up. Good luck with everything! It sounds like you're being a great advocate for your daughter, and these programs are there to help families like yours. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - it's worth it for the support you'll both get.

I'm a parent provider for my 14-year-old son who has Down syndrome, and we've been successfully receiving both IHSS and CalFresh for over two years now. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple spreadsheet to track my IHSS hours and payments each month - it makes filling out the SAR7 forms so much easier and helps avoid any reporting errors. Something I wish someone had told me earlier is that you can also deduct any work-related expenses from your IHSS income when calculating CalFresh eligibility. Things like mileage for taking your child to medical appointments, special equipment you need to purchase for their care, or even uniforms if required. These deductions can help reduce the countable income and keep your CalFresh benefits higher. Also, don't be discouraged if your first few interactions with the county workers are confusing - many of them aren't familiar with how IHSS income should be handled for CalFresh calculations. I had to educate my worker using the CalFresh policy manual, but once we got it sorted out, everything has run smoothly. You're absolutely making the right choice pursuing both programs - the combination has been a lifesaver for our family's financial stability while ensuring my son gets the care he needs.

Perfect, thank you! My hours are pretty consistent so I should be good. I'll just keep submitting my pay stubs like normal. Really appreciate everyone's help in figuring this out!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble seeing the WINS benefit on your EBT card, you can also check by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. When you check your balance, they'll break down all the different benefit types that have been deposited. This helped me figure out I was actually getting WINS all along - it just wasn't obvious in the mobile app! The phone system will say something like "CalFresh benefits: $185, Work Incentive Supplement: $10" so you can confirm it's there.