Hi there! As a newer member of this community, I just wanted to say how amazing it is to see everyone come together to help each other navigate these benefits! I'm a single mom with a 4-year-old and I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now. Reading through all these responses brought back memories of how confusing everything was at first. I wish I had known about this community when I started - it would have saved me so much stress and confusion! The information about the diaper benefit is so valuable. Even though my child is past diaper age now, I wish I had known about that extra $30/month when he was younger. It really shows how important it is to ask questions and advocate for ourselves. For anyone reading who might be new like the original poster was - don't be afraid to ask your caseworker about ALL the benefits you might be eligible for. I learned the hard way that they don't always volunteer information about everything available. Also, this community is such a great resource for real-world advice from people who actually understand what we're going through. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences here. It's posts and responses like these that make such a difference for families trying to make ends meet!

Welcome to the community! I'm so glad you found this place and were able to get your questions answered. As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year now, I remember feeling just as confused when I first started. Just wanted to add a couple more tips that have helped me along the way: 1. Download the ebtEDGE app if you haven't already - it lets you check your Cash Aid and CalFresh balances without having to call or go online, and it shows nearby ATMs that don't charge fees. 2. Some pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens often have really good sales on diapers, and they accept EBT Cash. I've found some great deals there, especially when they have their store brand diapers on promotion. 3. If you're comfortable with it, consider cloth diapers for at home use - I know it sounds old-fashioned, but the upfront cost with your Cash Aid can actually save money long-term, and you can still use disposables when you're out and about. I'm really happy to see that you got the diaper benefit sorted out! That extra $30 makes such a difference. Don't hesitate to keep asking questions here - this community has been such a lifeline for me, and everyone genuinely wants to help each other succeed. Wishing you and your little one all the best!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago in Orange County, so hopefully my experience helps! My first CalWORKs check took exactly 9 business days from approval to arrival in my mailbox. The key thing I learned is that LA County actually processes payments faster than some other counties, so that's good news for your cousin. One tip that really helped me: I signed up for USPS Informed Delivery (it's free) so I could see a photo of my mail each morning before it arrived. That way I knew exactly when to expect the check and didn't have to keep wondering if it got lost or stolen from my mailbox. Also, make sure she keeps her approval letter handy because it has her case number and payment date info that she'll need if she has to call about any issues. The automated phone system that Connor mentioned actually works pretty well - I still use it to check when my payments are issued each month. Good luck to your cousin, I hope everything works out with her rent!

Just want to echo what others have said about checking online - your cousin should definitely log into her BenefitsCal account or try the automated phone line. I'm currently on CalWORKs and I've found that sometimes the online system shows when a payment has been "issued" even before it arrives in the mail, which at least gives you peace of mind that it's coming. Also, since she's in LA County and rent is due soon, I'd suggest she be proactive about contacting her worker if the check doesn't arrive by this Friday. Don't wait until the last minute - if there's any issue with the address or the check got lost, it's better to know sooner rather than later so she has time to request a replacement or ask about that emergency assistance option that Sean mentioned. One more thing - make sure she checks her mailbox at the same time every day. My mail carrier comes at different times but usually within the same 2-hour window, so I learned when to expect mail and it helped reduce the anxiety of constantly checking!

I'm really glad you came here to ask about this before making any decisions! As someone who's been navigating the CalWORKs system for a while, I can tell you that transparency with your caseworker is absolutely crucial. What you're describing is exactly the kind of situation that can create serious problems, even with the best intentions. The car would definitely count as a resource since you already have one vehicle, and the arrangement could raise red flags during routine audits. I want to echo what others have said about safer credit-building alternatives. I started with a secured credit card through my local credit union with just a $300 deposit. After making small purchases and paying them off in full each month for about 10 months, they graduated me to a regular card and my credit score improved significantly. The key is consistency - even small amounts help build that payment history. Another option that worked for a friend of mine is asking a trusted family member to add you as an authorized user on their existing card (if they have good payment history). You don't even need to use the card - just being listed helps your credit. Your benefits are your lifeline right now, and no credit improvement is worth risking that security. There are proven, safe ways to build credit that won't jeopardize your eligibility. Take your time and do it the right way!

I'm really glad you reached out before making this decision! As someone who's helped family members navigate CalWORKs, I can tell you this arrangement would definitely be problematic. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the resource limits and reporting requirements. I wanted to add that there's another credit-building option that might work well for you: some banks offer "student" or "starter" credit cards with very low limits (like $300-500) that are designed for people with limited credit history. These often have lower approval requirements than secured cards and don't require a deposit upfront. Also, if you have any regular bills in your name (phone, utilities, etc.), you might want to look into services like Experian Boost that can add those payment histories to your credit report for free. Every little bit helps when you're building from scratch! Your dad's heart is probably in the right place, but this car loan idea could seriously backfire on both of you. The safer credit-building methods everyone mentioned might take a bit longer, but they won't put your essential benefits at risk. Better to build slowly and safely than to gamble with your security net!

i dont trust banks they can freeze ur account for no reason and then what??? at least with ebt card i know the money is there.

This post is so helpful! I've been putting off switching to direct deposit because I was worried about the process being complicated, but after reading everyone's experiences I'm definitely going to do it this week. Had no idea the benefits arrive earlier too - that's a huge bonus since I'm always stressed about timing with rent. Quick question for anyone who's done this - do you still get the same notification when your benefits are deposited, or do you just have to check your bank account? My EBT card always sends me a text when money gets added and I rely on that to know when my benefits hit.

Let us know what happens! I'm curious if going in person works better than calling.

So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always recommend going in person when possible - sometimes these system glitches just need a human to actually look at your case and fix the status. 2.5 hours is a long wait but totally worth it to keep your benefits going. Thanks for updating us - this will be really helpful for other people dealing with the same issue!