Just to clarify, CalWORKs actually DOES count gross income (before taxes), not net income. But the other points about child support cooperation requirements and possibly not counting all family members are very important to check. Make sure you: 1. Request the detailed Notice of Action showing the calculation 2. Ask specifically who is included in your "Assistance Unit" 3. Check if you have a "child support cooperation" requirement for any children 4. Verify if they properly applied the $450 earned income disregard If they're requiring child support cooperation, you can request a "good cause" exemption if pursuing child support would put you or the children at risk of harm.

After reading all these comments, I'm pretty sure it's either the child support cooperation requirement OR they calculated the earned income disregard incorrectly. When you finally reach your worker, make sure to take detailed notes of the conversation and ask them to email or mail you any documentation. And if you're not satisfied with their explanation, remember you have the right to request a fair hearing within 90 days of any action you disagree with!

Hey! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my 3-year-old. You absolutely need to report this within 10 days - don't wait for your SAR7! I made the mistake of waiting and almost got hit with complications. When I transitioned from homeless to paying $1,100/month rent, my CalWORKs went from $927 to about $1,070. Not enough to cover rent obviously, but every bit helps. The key thing is when you call, don't just report the housing change - ask specifically about these programs: - CalWORKs Housing Support Program (helped me with first month's rent) - Homeless Assistance Program (covered my security deposit) - Moving assistance funds Also make sure they recalculate your CalFresh - mine went up by almost $180/month because of the utility allowance! That was honestly more helpful than the CalWORKs increase. One tip: if you can't get through to your worker, try calling right when they open at 8am or use the BenefitsCal online portal to submit the change. You got this! Having your own place is such a game changer even if the budget is still tight.

I'm actually going through something similar right now - just submitted my housing change report last week after being homeless for 8 months. One thing I learned is that you can also submit the change through the GetCalFresh website (getcalfresh.org) if you can't get through by phone - they forward it directly to your county office and give you a confirmation number for your records. Also wanted to mention that some counties have expedited processing for housing-related changes since they know how urgent these situations are. When you call, specifically ask if they can expedite your case review since you're transitioning from homelessness to housed. My worker told me this can sometimes speed up the benefit adjustment by a week or two. Really hoping everything works out with your new place! Having stable housing makes such a difference, even if the finances are still tight. Make sure to keep copies of your lease agreement and any receipts from move-in costs - you might need them for the various assistance programs people mentioned.

anyone who gets calworks benefits needs to be extra careful right now cuz theres a huge increase in ebt theft happening. dont use your card at sketchy atms and check for skimmers before you put your card in. also cover keypad when entering pin!!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the county office! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and it actually worked. The worker told me they're processing my claim and it should be resolved within 5-7 business days. She also recommended I apply for emergency food assistance through the local food bank which I'm going to do tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Welcome to California! I moved here from out of state too and know how overwhelming it can be. One thing that really helped me was creating a checklist of all the documents I needed before starting the application. Based on what others have shared, you'll want to gather: your Texas ID, birth certificate for you and your son, Social Security cards, any bank statements from the last 3 months, proof of your move to CA (like a cell phone bill with your new address), and documentation of your last paycheck from Texas. Also, if you qualify for expedited CalFresh benefits, you could get food assistance within 3 days while waiting for the full CalWORKs determination. The BenefitsCal website lets you upload all documents digitally now, which saves time. Don't stress too much about having perfect documentation right away - they'll tell you exactly what you need during the process. You've got this!

Hi Zainab! I went through a similar situation when I moved here from Florida with my two kids last year. A few things that really helped me that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. When you apply on BenefitsCal, save your confirmation number and take screenshots of everything - the system sometimes glitches and you'll want proof you submitted everything on time. 2. For temporary housing proof while staying with your cousin, I used a simple letter from my family member stating I was staying there temporarily, plus I had them sign an affidavit. The county accepted this along with any mail I'd received there. 3. They'll assign you to a specific county office based on where you're staying. Once you know which office, try calling first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp) - that's when I had the best luck getting through. 4. If you get approved for CalWORKs, ask about their transportation assistance program too. They can help with bus passes or gas vouchers while you're job searching or attending WTW activities. The whole process took about 3-4 weeks for me, but I did get expedited CalFresh in 3 days since my savings were almost gone. Don't give up if it feels overwhelming - the benefits really do help while you get back on your feet in a new state. You're doing the right thing by applying immediately!

So glad you got this resolved! This is exactly why it's so important to know your rights. For anyone else reading this thread - always remember that you can request "Aid Pending" while they review your case if you believe benefits were stopped in error. This means they have to continue your payments while investigating. Also, if you're planning any extended travel (even for family emergencies), try to notify your worker beforehand if possible. A quick call or message through BenefitsCal can save you weeks of stress. The system isn't perfect but knowing how to navigate it makes all the difference!

I'm really glad everything worked out for you! This whole situation highlights a major flaw in the system - they sent you a critical notice while you were away caring for your sick mother, then cut your benefits when you couldn't respond. It's almost like they set people up to fail. For future reference, I've learned that you can also request to have your mail forwarded temporarily or ask a trusted person to check your mail when you're away for family emergencies. The 10-day response window on these notices is just unrealistic when life happens. Thanks for sharing your resolution - it gives hope to others who might face similar situations!