UPDATE: I called this morning after trying 5 times yesterday and getting disconnected. Finally got through and requested the diaper benefit. The worker confirmed I qualify and said they'll add it going back to when my daughter was born! Should see the payment in about 2 weeks. Thank you everyone for your help! I never would have known about this if I hadn't asked here.

Congratulations on getting approved! That's awesome that you'll get the back pay from when your daughter was born - that should be around $270 if my math is right ($30 x 9 months). For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, here's what I learned when I got the diaper benefit for my son: - Call early in the morning (around 8-8:30am) to have the best chance of getting through - Have your child's full name and birthdate ready when you call - Ask specifically for "CalWORKs Diaper Assistance" - some workers know it by different names - Keep notes of when you called and who you spoke with in case there are any issues Also want to echo what others said about asking about ALL the benefits you might qualify for. I found out I was missing out on the childcare benefit too, which has been a huge help. These programs exist to help us but they really don't make it easy to know what's available!

Reading through this thread is exactly what I needed right now! I'm on day 1 of waiting for my Cash Aid restoration and already getting anxious about the timing. It's so helpful to see Oliver's update that it actually came through overnight like the supervisor promised. The information about Cash Aid and CalFresh processing separately is really valuable - I had no idea they were on different systems. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences instead of just the official "it takes 1-3 business days" responses we get from the office. Definitely bookmarking this thread for anyone else I know going through benefit restorations!

This thread is incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with CalWORKs restoration delays! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and the waiting period was absolutely brutal - especially when you're counting on that money for essential expenses like rent. What I learned from my experience is that even when supervisors give you specific timeframes, the backend processing systems often have their own schedule. In my case, I was told "by end of business today" and it actually showed up 2 days later at around 3am. The overnight batch processing seems to be when most deposits actually hit accounts. One thing that helped me was setting up account alerts so I'd get a text notification as soon as any deposit posted - saved me from obsessively checking my balance every hour. It's also worth noting that if you're ever in this situation again and facing immediate housing issues, most counties have emergency assistance programs that can help with one-time rent payments while you're waiting for regular benefits to resume. Thanks for sharing your experience Oliver - these real-world timelines are so much more valuable than the generic "3-5 business days" responses we usually get!

also check out if ur local WIC office gives diaper vouchers cuz some do now

I went through this exact same situation with my twins last year! What ended up working for me was connecting with my local community resource center - they had partnerships with several organizations that provide diapers regardless of your CalWORKs status. Also, don't give up on the CalWORKs route yet. Like others mentioned, make sure they're calculating ALL your deductions correctly. I was initially told I didn't qualify, but when I brought documentation of my childcare costs and transportation expenses, it changed everything. In the meantime, check out these resources: - Local food banks often have diaper programs - Churches sometimes run diaper pantries (even if you're not a member) - Facebook mom groups in your area - they often share info about diaper drives and giveaways - Some pediatrician offices keep sample diapers they'll give to families in need Hang in there mama, there are people and programs out there to help bridge this gap!

I'm new to CalWORKs and this thread is SO helpful! I had no idea about the 10-day reporting rule or how they calculate income. Can someone clarify - when they say "within 10 days," does that mean 10 calendar days or 10 business days? And if I can't get through to my worker by phone, can I report changes by email or do I need to go to the office in person? I'm trying to understand all my options in case I ever need to report a change quickly. Thanks everyone for being so informative!

I'm going through a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I learned from my county worker. When you report the change, ask specifically about the "good cause" provision - sometimes they can waive overpayment collections if you can show the delay in reporting was due to circumstances beyond your control (like reconciling with your spouse and needing time to figure things out). It's not guaranteed, but worth asking about. Also, one thing I didn't see mentioned - make sure to ask about any work-related deductions your husband might qualify for. Things like transportation costs to/from work, work clothes, union dues, etc. can sometimes be deducted from his countable income, which could help reduce the impact on your benefits a little bit. Definitely don't wait any longer though - the overpayment amount just gets bigger each month you don't report. Good luck with everything!

Thanks everyone for all this info! I'm definitely going to request a review of my case since it sounds like they shouldn't have counted my tax refund as income. And I'll plan for the lower CTC amount just to be safe with my budget. This community is always so helpful - I learn more here than from my actual caseworker half the time!

I'm so glad you found this helpful! It's really frustrating when we get wrong information from workers who are supposed to be helping us. I've been on CalWORKs for 2 years now and I swear I've gotten different answers about the same question from like 4 different people at my county office. For the case review, you can start by calling your worker directly and asking them to remove the overpayment because tax refunds are exempt income. If they give you pushback, ask to speak to a supervisor. You can also file a formal complaint with the county if needed. And yeah, definitely budget for the lower CTC amount - better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed! Those monthly payments in 2021 were amazing but I'm not holding my breath for them to come back anytime soon.