my aunt was in a situation kinda like urs and she got approved for CalFresh in like a week cause she had zero income. they can do emergency approval when ur in crisis. dont wait!!!

Just wanted to add - when you apply for CalFresh, make sure to mention that you're dealing with a medical condition that prevents you from working. This can help you get an exemption from any work requirements they might try to impose later. Also, since you have zero income and are struggling with food, you should definitely qualify for expedited CalFresh benefits (within 3 days) if you have less than $100 in cash/bank accounts. For your nephews - even though they're full-time students, they might still be eligible for CalFresh if they work at least 20 hours per week, participate in work-study, or meet other student exemptions. Have them check if their school has any programs that could help with their eligibility. Don't give up on the application process this time - you really need and deserve this help while you're dealing with your health issues!

One more tip - if you do end up going over your IRT during the month, you have 10 calendar days from when you receive the income (not from when you get paid) to report it. So if you get your paycheck on Friday but it covers work from earlier in the month, the 10 days starts from when you actually received the check. You can report online through BenefitsCal, by phone, or in person. I always recommend getting some kind of confirmation when you report - like a screenshot if you do it online or asking for a receipt if you go in person. That way you have proof you reported on time if there's ever a question later.

I just went through this same situation a few months ago! The stress of not knowing the exact IRT amount is real. One thing that helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when the county office opens - I had better luck getting through then rather than calling during busy afternoon hours. Also, if you have your case number handy, sometimes the automated phone system will let you hear some basic case information including benefit amounts, which might include your IRT. It's worth trying before waiting on hold forever. And definitely keep documenting everything - dates you tried to call, any confirmation numbers if you report income, etc. The system can be overwhelming but you're being responsible by asking these questions upfront!

I'm a former eligibility worker, and I can confirm that having no income will NOT disqualify you from CalWORKs or CalFresh. In fact, it will likely maximize your benefit amounts. Here's what you should do with your SAR 7: 1. Complete every section accurately 2. In the income section, clearly write that you lost your job and were denied unemployment benefits 3. Attach any proof of your job loss (termination letter, final paystub) 4. Include the EDD denial letter if possible 5. If you have any expenses like rent or utilities, report those as well Regarding your 3-year-old: make sure to ask about childcare assistance through CalWORKs. You can get help with childcare costs while you look for work or participate in approved WTW activities. Also request the diaper supplement if you haven't already. Don't wait until the deadline to submit your SAR 7. Get it in early so if there are any issues, you have time to correct them before the end of the month.

Just wanted to add that you should also look into your local food banks and WIC program while you're getting everything sorted out. Many food banks don't require any paperwork and can help supplement your CalFresh benefits, especially with fresh produce and baby items. WIC is specifically for women with children under 5, so your 3-year-old would qualify, and it provides additional food assistance plus nutrition education. You can usually apply for WIC at your local health department or community center. It's completely separate from CalFresh so you can receive both. Also, if you're struggling with utilities, ask about LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) - they can help with electric and gas bills. Hang in there, mama. You're doing everything right by staying on top of your paperwork and asking the right questions.

I'm currently going through a similar situation - applied for SSI 6 months ago and still waiting for my decision. One thing I learned that might help you: if you're worried about a gap in payments, ask your worker about "presumptive disability" payments. If your condition is on the compassionate allowances list (which it sounds like it might be since your doctor was optimistic), SSI can sometimes start payments before the final decision if they think you're likely to be approved. Also, regarding rent - make sure your landlord knows about the potential transition. Some are understanding about temporary delays, especially if you have documentation showing SSI is pending. You might also want to look into local emergency rental assistance programs through 211 or your county's social services department as a backup. The fact that you already got scheduled for an assessment so quickly is actually a really good sign! Most people wait months just for that appointment. Keep your fingers crossed - sounds like your case might move faster than the horror stories you're hearing.

I went through this transition about 2 years ago and wanted to add a few things that might help. The good news is that CalWORKs has protections in place specifically for this situation - they can't just cut you off immediately when you apply for SSI, only when you actually start receiving payments. One thing I'd suggest is asking your worker (or a supervisor if your worker isn't responsive) about getting a "good cause" extension if you're having trouble meeting any WTW requirements while dealing with your health issues and the SSI process. This is separate from the medical exemption others mentioned but can provide additional protection. Also, make sure you understand how your SSI backpay will work with the Interim Assistance Reimbursement that someone mentioned. The county will take back what they paid you in CalWORKs during the months covered by your SSI backpay, but they can't take more than what SSI actually sends them. So if your SSI backpay is higher than what you received in CalWORKs, you'll still get the difference. Keep all your medical documentation organized - not just for SSI but also for your CalWORKs case. Having everything in one place made both processes much smoother for me. Good luck with your assessment next week!

I had something similar happen once but it wasn't unemployment it was when my ex finally started paying child support after like 2 years of nothing lol. I didn't know I had to report that either! Ended up with a $340 overpayment that they took out of my benefits over 3 months. The whole reporting thing is super confusing. Good luck!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Got unemployment after my retail job ended and had no clue it counted as income for CalWORKs. Ended up with a $187 overpayment notice that totally freaked me out. Here's what I learned: unemployment is considered "unearned income" and counts dollar-for-dollar against your CalWORKs grant. The good news is you have options! I called and set up a payment plan for $25/month instead of paying it all at once. They were actually pretty understanding once I explained I genuinely didn't know the rules. Also, make sure you report your unemployment going forward on your SAR7 forms. I upload my EDD benefit statements as verification. The key is staying on top of reporting ANY income changes over your IRT within 10 days - learned that lesson the hard way! Don't stress too much about it - overpayments happen to tons of people because the rules really aren't explained clearly. Just be proactive about setting up that payment plan and you'll be fine.