I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's such a frustrating situation that so many CalWORKs families face! As someone who's also navigating the system as a single parent, I can completely understand how blindsided you must feel by this automatic child support assignment that nobody properly explained. Reading through all the excellent advice here, it's clear you have a strong foundation for a good cause application. The emotional impact on your daughter - her noticing daddy seems upset and asking about it - is exactly the kind of evidence that demonstrates this formal collection is harming her wellbeing, which is what the CF 8572 good cause exemption is designed to address. I'd definitely echo everyone's advice about documenting everything thoroughly: your working informal arrangement, the specific ways he was helping (diapers, formula, groceries, etc.), how the surprise garnishment caught you both off guard, and most importantly, how this is affecting your daughter's relationship with her father. A 3-year-old shouldn't have to witness tension during what used to be happy daddy visits. The Claimyr service that someone mentioned earlier sounds like it could really help you get through to your caseworker faster - the automated system is notoriously unhelpful when you need to speak with someone urgently. It's really unfair that CalWORKs puts families in these impossible positions without clear upfront communication. You shouldn't have to choose between getting help and protecting your daughter's co-parenting relationship. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your good cause determination goes smoothly and you can get back to the arrangement that was actually working for your family. Please keep us updated!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! As someone who's also new to navigating CalWORKs, I'm honestly shocked by how many people in this thread have been caught off guard by the automatic child support assignment. It really seems like this should be explained much more clearly during the application process. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you have a really strong case for good cause, especially since your daughter is already being emotionally affected. The fact that she's asking why daddy seems upset during visits is heartbreaking, but it's also powerful evidence that this formal collection is disrupting her wellbeing - which is exactly what the CF 8572 good cause exemption is meant to protect. I'd definitely recommend documenting everything as thoroughly as possible: how your informal arrangement was working well, the specific ways he was helping (diapers, groceries, etc.), and especially how this surprise garnishment has changed the dynamic during your daughter's visits with her father. The Claimyr service that someone mentioned earlier sounds like it could really help you get through to your caseworker faster than the automated system. It's frustrating that you have to work so hard to fix a problem that better communication could have prevented, but at least you have a clear path forward. I hope you can get this resolved quickly before it causes any more stress for your family. Your daughter shouldn't have to witness tension during what should be happy time with her dad. Please keep us updated on how the good cause determination goes!

I'm new to this community but felt compelled to respond because what you experienced is absolutely unacceptable! That 9-month limit information is completely false - there is NO such rule in CalWORKs policy anywhere. I've been researching benefits extensively as I help my elderly mother navigate various programs, and the CalWORKs lifetime limit is definitely 48 months, not 9. What really bothers me is how that worker essentially tried to scam you out of your rightful benefits with made-up policies. The fact that your grant dropped from $221 to $22 without any written notice is a clear violation of your due process rights - they're required to send a Notice of Action before making changes. From reading all these responses, it's clear this is a systemic problem at LA County DPSS with undertrained staff giving out false information. It makes me wonder how many families are suffering because they accepted these lies without questioning them. When you call tomorrow, follow everyone's advice about demanding a supervisor immediately. Don't waste another second with frontline workers who don't know basic CalWORKs policies. You deserve your full benefits and shouldn't have to stress about rent because of their incompetence. Stay strong - this community clearly has your back and I'm confident you'll get this resolved quickly once you reach someone who actually knows what they're doing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! What that worker told you is absolutely FALSE - there is NO 9-month limit on CalWORKs cash aid whatsoever. I've been receiving benefits in LA County for almost 2 years now and have never experienced any automatic reduction like that. The actual lifetime limit is 48 months total, not some made-up 9-month rule. Your grant dropping from $221 to $22 without proper written notice is a serious violation of due process - they're legally required to send you a Notice of Action before making any benefit changes. This sounds exactly like what happened to my friend last year - her grant got slashed due to a "processing error" and they tried to give her some bogus story about new restrictions. She had to call back 6 times before getting a supervisor who actually knew the rules and fixed it within 48 hours. When you call tomorrow, ask for a supervisor IMMEDIATELY and don't waste time with frontline workers who clearly don't know basic CalWORKs policies. Demand they review your case while you're on the phone and explain in writing why your benefits were reduced. Also ask specifically about your SAR7 processing status since that's often where these errors occur. If phone calls don't work, go to your local DPSS office in person with all your paperwork. Sometimes face-to-face gets faster results than trying to resolve things over the phone. Don't let them intimidate you with fake policies - you know your rights now and this community has your back! You're going to get this resolved and get your full benefits restored.

Hi Megan, congratulations on your new job! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm actually in a very similar situation and will be starting a new position next month that will put me over the CalWORKs income limit. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been so valuable. I especially appreciate all the specific details about using the exact wording "voluntary discontinuance" rather than just reporting income, timing the termination for the day before the first paycheck, and making sure to get everything in writing. The tip about keeping detailed logs and screenshots is brilliant too. It's really reassuring to see how supportive this community is in helping each other navigate these processes properly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's going to help both Megan and me handle our transitions much more smoothly!

Congratulations on the new job, Megan! This thread has been incredibly informative - I'm bookmarking it for future reference. One additional tip I'd like to share from my experience: if you have any automatic deposits or payments set up related to your CalWORKs benefits (like if you get your payments on an EBT card), make sure to ask about when those will stop and if you need to do anything to close out those accounts. I had a small remaining balance on my EBT card after my case closed and it took months to figure out how to access those final funds. Also, if you're currently receiving any utility assistance or other ancillary benefits through CalWORKs, make sure to ask specifically about each one because they might have different termination timelines or separate applications to continue them if you still qualify. The worker won't always volunteer information about what other programs might still be available to you, so it's worth asking directly. You're handling this so responsibly - wishing you all the best with your new position!

As someone who's new to this community and currently receiving CalWORKs, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences here. Reading through all these detailed accounts has been absolutely eye-opening and honestly quite frightening. I had no idea that letting someone else claim your children on taxes could trigger such severe consequences with benefits. What really stands out to me from everyone's stories is how quickly the automated systems catch these discrepancies, but then how long and difficult it becomes to prove your innocence while your benefits are suspended. The fact that people have lost thousands in benefits, faced fraud investigations, and been put on enhanced monitoring even after proving their children live with them shows this isn't just a temporary inconvenience - it's a life-altering mistake. The detail about the Semi-Annual Report specifically asking whether anyone else claimed your child really hit home too. I never realized that answering that question incorrectly could be considered fraud. And learning about the Child Tax Credit and EITC has made me realize I'd probably get more money claiming my kids myself than accepting whatever split arrangement someone else offers. For anyone else facing similar pressure from exes or family members - these stories make it crystal clear that no temporary money is worth risking your family's stability and your access to benefits that you depend on for basic needs like food and housing. Thank you to everyone who had the courage to share difficult experiences to help others avoid the same traps.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely shocked reading through all these experiences. I had no idea that something that seems like a simple family arrangement could have such devastating consequences. The stories about automated fraud detection systems, benefit suspensions lasting months, and people owing back thousands of dollars are terrifying. What really stands out to me is how the system seems designed to assume guilt first and make families prove their innocence later - all while cutting off the benefits they depend on for basic needs like food and housing. The fact that even after proving your kids live with you, you get permanently flagged with enhanced monitoring and ongoing scrutiny shows this follows you forever. I'm also shocked to learn about the tax credits I could be missing out on. After reading about the Child Tax Credit and EITC, I realized I could potentially qualify for way more money than any split arrangement would offer. So not only would I avoid all these risks by claiming my kids myself, I'd actually come out ahead financially. Thank you to everyone who shared such personal and difficult experiences. This community's willingness to protect others from making the same mistakes is incredible. These real-world stories have completely opened my eyes to how serious this issue is and why it's never worth the risk.

Congratulations on your twins! I'm really glad to see that you got through to a worker and confirmed you'll be getting retroactive payments back to mid-December. That's such a relief when you're dealing with newborn expenses! I wanted to share something that might help - when I first started on CalWORKs with my baby, I found it really helpful to keep a notebook with all the dates and what different workers told me. Sometimes you get different answers from different people, so having it written down helped me advocate for myself better. Also, since everyone's mentioning the diaper allowance - definitely push for that! With twins going through 20 diapers a day, that extra money will make a huge difference. And don't be afraid to ask your worker to explain exactly what you qualify for in simple terms. They work for you, not the other way around. Best of luck with everything!

Congratulations on your twins! What a blessing, though I know it must be financially stressful right now. I'm so glad you were able to get through to a worker and confirm that you'll receive retroactive payments back to mid-December when your application was complete with the birth certificates. I just wanted to add that with newborn twins, you should also look into WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) if you haven't already. It provides formula, baby food, and other nutrition assistance specifically for families with young children. Since you mentioned the twins' father doesn't provide support, every bit of help counts. Also, many counties have emergency assistance programs for families with newborns that can help with one-time expenses like cribs, car seats, or other baby essentials. It might be worth asking your worker about any emergency aid or one-time assistance programs available in your county. You're doing great advocating for yourself and your babies - keep asking questions and don't let them rush you off the phone until you understand everything you're entitled to!