Thank you everyone for explaining! The county worker never mentioned this \

I'm sorry you're going through this - the CalWORKs system can be really confusing! Just wanted to add that you might also want to look into local food banks and community resources while you're job searching. Many areas have programs specifically for families dealing with unemployment that don't have the same restrictions as CalWORKs. Your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with emergency assistance programs, utility help, and job training resources that might be available in your area. Also, since you're already getting CalFresh and Medi-Cal, make sure you're signed up for all the associated benefits like the California Lifeline phone program if you need it. Hang in there!

One more thing - depending on what day of the month it is, they might not issue the increased benefits until next month's regular payment. If it's after the 15th (which I think it is), they might approve your case change but the actual increase won't happen until your next payment date. However, they sometimes issue a supplemental payment for the partial month. Ask specifically about that when you call - use the exact phrase "supplemental payment for adding a household member mid-month" so they know you're aware of the policy.

I'm going through something similar right now - my teenage daughter just moved back from her mom's place and I'm waiting for my case to update too. From what I've learned lurking in this community, the "pending" status is normal and can take several days even when workers say they'll process it same-day. One thing that really helped me was calling the county's CalWORKs hotline instead of trying to reach my specific worker. They have access to see exactly where your case is in the review process and can sometimes put a "rush" flag on it if you explain the eviction situation. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have proof that your son is actually living with you now - utility bills, school enrollment, anything dated after he moved back. Sometimes that's what holds up the approval. The system definitely doesn't update automatically at midnight, so don't stress about checking it constantly. But do call first thing tomorrow morning and ask to speak with a supervisor if your worker isn't available. Good luck with your landlord situation - I know how scary those notices can be!

I'm a case worker and wanted to add some clarification to what's already been shared here. You're absolutely right that you cannot apply for CalFresh for just your children if you all live together and you provide their meals - this would be considered fraud if misrepresented. However, I encourage you to still apply for your full household! Many working families are surprised to learn they qualify. For a household of 5, the gross income limit is $4,810/month (as of 2024), but more importantly, CalFresh uses your NET income after deductions. With rent at 60% of your income, you'd get a significant shelter deduction. Also consider applying for emergency CalFresh if you're in immediate need - this can provide benefits within 3 days if you qualify. The application asks about your monthly expenses, so gather documentation for rent, utilities, childcare, and medical expenses before applying. One last tip: if your county office is hard to reach by phone, many counties now accept applications online through BenefitsCal, and you can often get faster responses through their online messaging system once you have an account.

I just wanted to echo what the case worker and others have said - definitely still apply even though you can't separate your kids! I was in almost the exact same situation last year with 3 kids and thought we made too much. What really helped us was keeping track of ALL our monthly expenses for a few weeks before applying. Things I didn't think to include at first: after-school care costs, gas for driving to work, medical copays, even the monthly cost of school lunches (before we qualified for free ones). Every legitimate expense helps reduce your countable income. We ended up qualifying for $200/month which doesn't sound like much but it's been a huge help with our grocery budget, especially for buying healthy foods for the kids. The application through BenefitsCal was way easier than trying to call - took about 30 minutes and I got a response within a week. Don't let that other mom's misinformation discourage you from applying the right way. There's real help available for working families, you just have to go through the proper channels. Good luck!

wait i thought if someone in the house gets ssi nobody can get snap?? when did that change?

Just want to add - when you apply, make sure you bring documentation of your boyfriend's SSI award letter. Even though he's excluded from your CalWORKs case, they'll still need to verify his SSI status to process your application correctly. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to your county office by phone, try going in person early in the morning or checking if they have online appointment scheduling. Some counties let you upload documents online too which can speed things up. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to first payment, so hang in there!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm new to CalWORKs and just got approved last month with my 18-month-old daughter. I had no idea there was even a diaper benefit until I saw my first payment was higher than what I expected. My worker never mentioned it during the application process. Reading all these responses, I now understand it's automatically included in the total Cash Aid amount. I'm going to log into BenefitsCal like someone suggested to see the breakdown. It's crazy how they don't explain these things better - feels like you have to figure everything out on your own or rely on communities like this one. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I've been getting CalWORKs for about a year now with my 2-year-old son, and I can confirm what everyone else is saying - the diaper benefit is included with your regular Cash Aid payment, not separate. What really helped me figure this out was calling the EBT customer service line (not the county office) and asking them to read me my last few transaction histories over the phone. They can tell you the exact date and amount of each deposit, so you can see the pattern. My case number ends in 5, so I get my payment on the 2nd of every month, and it's always the same combined amount. One thing I learned the hard way - if you're ever late reporting changes or miss a recertification deadline, they sometimes split up the payments while they're processing everything, which can make it seem like the diaper money is coming separately. But once everything is caught up, it goes back to being one combined payment. Hope this helps!