One more thing - when you apply for CalFresh, make sure you tell them you have housing costs (rent, utilities) that you're now paying on your own. This can significantly increase your CalFresh benefit amount. And with three kids, you should also ask about the School Lunch Program connection with CalFresh - your kids might automatically qualify for free school meals once you're approved for CalFresh.

I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago when my ex moved out. Here's what worked for me: First, have your boyfriend apply for his own Medi-Cal immediately through BenefitsCal.com - don't wait! He'll get a confirmation number right away. Then report the household change within the 10 day window. What I learned is that even though they're processed by the same office, CalFresh and Medi-Cal have different eligibility criteria. Your boyfriend will likely qualify for his own Medi-Cal coverage if his income is under the limit. The key is getting his application in the system BEFORE you report he moved out - this prevents any gap in coverage. Also, when you apply for CalFresh, emphasize that you now have 100% of the housing costs (rent, utilities, groceries) since he's no longer contributing. This will increase your benefit amount significantly. With 3 kids and being the sole provider now, you should qualify for a decent CalFresh amount. Don't let fear of his coverage stopping prevent you from getting the food assistance your family needs!

As someone who just got approved for CalWORKs two weeks ago, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Reading about your experience @Anastasia Sokolov made my stomach drop - I can't imagine the panic of not being able to access your benefits when your kids need food. But I'm so grateful you shared this because it's taught me (and clearly many other newcomers) exactly what to expect and how to handle it. I had absolutely no idea about the PIN lockout system or that your benefits stay safe even when the card is locked. The community response here has been amazing - everyone jumping in with practical solutions shows what a supportive group this is! I'm definitely implementing all the tips shared here: writing down my PIN securely, saving the EBT customer service number, downloading the Connect EBT app, and noting those off-peak calling times. The Claimyr service sounds like a game-changer for avoiding those brutal hold times too. Thank you for turning what must have been a terrifying situation into a learning opportunity for all of us newcomers. This is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that makes navigating these systems so much less scary. So glad you got everything resolved and could feed your kids!

As someone who literally just got my CalWORKs card in the mail yesterday and haven't even activated it yet, this whole thread has been both terrifying and incredibly educational! @Anastasia Sokolov I can't imagine how scary that must have been when you couldn't access your benefits with hungry kids at home - that's every parent's worst fear when relying on these benefits. Reading through everyone's responses has been like getting a masterclass in EBT troubleshooting that I wish they covered during the application process. I had absolutely no idea about the PIN lockout system or that your benefits stay secure even when the card is locked - that's actually really reassuring to know it's just a security feature. I'm definitely taking all the amazing advice shared here before I even use my card for the first time: writing down my PIN and storing it safely, saving the EBT customer service number in my phone, downloading the Connect EBT app, and remembering those off-peak calling times to avoid brutal hold waits. The Claimyr service tip sounds like a complete lifesaver too! Thank you for being brave enough to share such a stressful experience - your story is going to help so many of us newcomers know exactly what to do instead of panicking. This community's support and practical knowledge is absolutely incredible!

This whole conversation has been absolutely amazing to follow! As someone who's been hesitant to apply for benefits because I didn't understand the system, seeing all this real-world advice and support has been incredibly encouraging. @Skylar Neal - I'm so excited for your interview tomorrow! You've done such a thorough job preparing and asking all the right questions. The fact that you already have an estimate and know what to expect shows how much this community has helped you navigate the process. Please do update us - there are definitely more families like mine who will benefit from hearing how it goes. @Oliver Schulz and @Ravi Gupta - Having actual workers validate the community advice and add professional insights makes this thread feel like a complete guide. The details about SAR 7 reporting and Cal-Learn are exactly the kind of insider information that makes all the difference. What strikes me most is how this started with one person's confusion about eligibility and turned into this comprehensive resource covering everything from Claimyr tips to emergency programs to interview preparation. This is peer support at its absolute best - people sharing knowledge, experiences, and encouragement to help each other through tough times. For anyone else reading this who's on the fence about applying - you're not alone in this process. This community proves there are people who understand what you're going through and are willing to help you succeed. 💙

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who recently went through the CalWORKs application process myself, I can confirm that almost all the advice shared here is spot-on and would have saved me so much stress if I'd found it earlier. @Skylar Neal - Best of luck with your interview tomorrow! You sound incredibly well-prepared thanks to everyone's help here. One thing I'd add is to ask your worker about the Homeless Assistance Program if you're still behind on rent - it's separate from Emergency Aid and can sometimes provide additional help. @Oliver Schulz and @Ravi Gupta - Thank you for sharing your professional perspectives! It's so valuable to have workers confirm the community advice and add those important details about reporting requirements. What amazes me most about this thread is how it demonstrates that peer support can be just as valuable as official resources - sometimes more so because people share the real experiences of navigating the system. The combination of practical tips (like Claimyr), emotional support, and insider knowledge creates exactly what families need when they're struggling. To anyone still hesitant about applying - this community shows you're not alone in this process. Don't let bureaucracy intimidate you from getting help your family needs and deserves. The hardest part really is just taking that first step! 💪

I wanted to jump in here as someone who recently went through the CalWORKs application process in a similar situation. First off, you absolutely qualify! Being legally married but separated with children and no income is a textbook case for CalWORKs eligibility. A few things that really helped me during my application: 1. **Document everything now** - Start taking screenshots of any text messages with your husband, keep records of when/if he sends money, and gather any mail that shows you at separate addresses. Even informal documentation helps establish your separation. 2. **Apply for everything at once** - When you submit your CalWORKs application, also apply for CalFresh (food stamps), Medi-Cal, and ask about WIC for your 4-year-old. It's much easier to do it all together. 3. **Ask about expedited processing** - Since you mentioned rent being due soon, make sure to tell them you have zero income and are facing potential homelessness. This can qualify you for faster processing and possibly emergency assistance. 4. **Don't stress about the child support requirement** - Yes, they'll likely require cooperation with child support, but this actually helps many families in the long run by providing more stable income. The fact that you're researching everything beforehand shows you're going to handle this process really well. Your kids are lucky to have a mom who's being so proactive about getting them the support they need. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading through all these incredibly helpful responses! As someone who has worked with families in crisis situations, I can confirm that everyone here has given you excellent advice. Your situation as a separated parent with no income is absolutely a qualifying scenario for CalWORKs. The key things to remember are: be completely honest about your circumstances, document your separation as much as possible (even informal proof helps), and don't hesitate to ask about expedited processing given your urgent timeline with rent. One additional resource I'd mention is that many counties have CalWORKs liaisons at local community centers or libraries who can help you with your application for free. They're not county employees but they know the system well and can sit with you while you apply. It might be worth calling around to see if this service exists in your area. You're being such an incredible advocate for your children, and it's clear from your thoughtful questions that you're going to navigate this successfully. The hardest part is often just taking that first step, and you're already past that mental hurdle. Your kids are so lucky to have a mom who's willing to research thoroughly and fight for the resources they need. Best of luck with your application - this community will be here to support you every step of the way!

This whole thread has been incredibly reassuring! I'm a newcomer to both CalWORKs and this community, and I was honestly terrified about making any financial moves that might jeopardize our benefits. My situation is almost identical - single mom, car died, need reliable transportation for work and kids' school. What really stands out to me from everyone's responses is how the system actually seems designed to support people maintaining employment and stability, not to trap us in impossible situations. The fact that leased vehicles don't count as resources makes total sense when you think about it - we don't own the asset, we're just paying for transportation. I'm planning to follow the advice here: get quotes for both lease payments and full coverage insurance, make sure it fits our budget, and then report it on the next SAR7. The tip about bringing lease paperwork proactively to show transparency is brilliant. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and not just speculation. It's so much more helpful to hear from people who've actually been through this process successfully. This community really is a lifeline for navigating these complex systems!

As someone who just went through this exact process a few months ago, I can confirm everything everyone's been saying! I was so nervous about getting a lease while on CalWORKs and CalFresh, but it turned out to be much less complicated than I expected. A few practical tips from my experience: 1) Shop around for both the lease AND insurance quotes before making any decisions - the insurance increase was actually more than I expected, so factor that in. 2) Some dealerships have financing specialists who work with people on benefits regularly and can help explain exactly what paperwork you'll need. 3) When I reported it on my SAR7, I included a brief note explaining it was necessary transportation for work - my worker really appreciated the transparency. The peace of mind of having reliable transportation has been worth every penny. No more missed work days due to car trouble, no more stress about getting the kids to school. And like others mentioned, it's actually helped my job situation because I can take on more hours without worrying about transportation. Don't let fear of "messing up" your benefits stop you from getting what you need to maintain stability. The system really is designed to support you in staying employed and independent. Good luck with your search!