Good luck actually REACHING anyone to get clear answers about income limits! I've literally been trying for THREE WEEKS to talk to someone about my SAR7 and keep getting disconnected or they tell me "we'll call back" and never do. Then they'll probably discontinue my benefits for not submitting something on time that I never even received!! The whole system is designed to be confusing and impossible to navigate. They WANT people to lose benefits so they can save money.

Hey Alexis! Congrats on the new job - that's such a huge step! I went through this exact same worry when I started working while on CalWORKs. One thing that really helped me was using the CalWORKs income calculator on the CDSS website before I reported anything. It gives you a rough idea of how your benefits might change. Also, if you're having trouble reaching your worker, try sending them a secure message through BenefitsCal - sometimes they respond to those faster than phone calls. Don't stress too much about "getting in trouble" - as long as you report within 10 days of starting work, you're following the rules. They actually WANT people to work and there are so many supports in place to help the transition. You might be surprised at how much help is available through the Welfare to Work program that others mentioned. Keep us updated on how it goes! Rooting for you and your family! 💪

You're doing great by being proactive about this! One thing I'd add - when you call your worker tomorrow, ask them to note in your case file that you reported the job and uploaded the paystub. Sometimes different workers see your case and having notes helps avoid confusion later. Also, since you mentioned you have a 2-year-old, definitely ask about the childcare right away. The approval process can take a few weeks, so the sooner you apply the better. And don't forget about transportation assistance if you need help getting to work - that's another supportive service that can really help during the transition period. You're asking all the right questions and being responsible about reporting. That's exactly what you need to do to stay in compliance!

Hey Hannah! First off, congrats on the new job - that's awesome! 🎉 And don't worry, your question isn't dumb at all. The CalWORKs system can be really confusing, especially when you're new to it. Everyone here has given you great advice. Definitely upload those check stubs ASAP to BenefitsCal - verbal reporting alone isn't enough. They need the actual documentation to verify your income and adjust your benefits accordingly. Since you're in WTW, here's what I'd recommend doing right now: 1. Upload your paystub immediately (sounds like you already did this - great!) 2. Call your worker and confirm they received it 3. Ask about how your work hours will affect your WTW participation requirements 4. Request childcare assistance for your 2-year-old (this can take time to process, so start now) 5. Ask about transportation assistance if you need help getting to work Keep uploading every single paystub you get going forward, and always take screenshots like others mentioned. Better to over-document than under-document with CalWORKs! You're being super responsible by asking these questions and reporting everything properly. That's exactly the right approach to avoid any issues down the road. Keep it up!

Same thing happened to me about 3 months ago when I got approved for an increase after my annual review. The approval letter came first, then BenefitsCal showed "pending" for like 10 days, and I was so worried something went wrong. But sure enough, the higher amount hit my card exactly when the letter said it would. The systems really don't sync up well at all. Your letter is the official word - you can count on that increase being there July 1st!

This is so common it's not even funny! I've been on CalWORKs for 2 years now and literally EVERY time there's been any change to my case - increases, decreases, adding/removing household members - the BenefitsCal app shows "pending" for days or even weeks after I get the official letter. It's like they have two completely separate computer systems that hate talking to each other. Your approval letter is the legal document that matters, so if it says you're getting $845 starting July 1st, you're getting $845 starting July 1st. The app will eventually catch up, probably sometime in the next week or two. I've learned to just ignore what the app says and go by the paperwork they mail me!

I'm so glad you got clarification from your worker! This whole thread has been really helpful for understanding the bank statement requirements. I'm coming up on my redetermination soon and was wondering the same thing. It's frustrating how workers can be so vague about what they need - it causes unnecessary stress when you're already worried about keeping your benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here, especially about the release form option that lets the county verify directly with the bank. That sounds like it could save a lot of hassle!

This is such a common issue! I just went through my redetermination a few weeks ago and had the exact same confusion. My worker initially made it sound like I needed months of statements, but when I pressed for specifics, she clarified that she only needed the most recent month. I think sometimes they ask vaguely to see what you have access to, but the actual requirement is just your current statement. The key is to ask directly "which specific months do you need me to submit?" and get a clear answer. Don't stress too much - they can't discontinue your benefits for not providing documents they haven't clearly requested!

To summarize what everyone is saying (there's a bit of confusion in some responses): 1. Federal tax refunds are EXEMPT income for CalWORKs purposes and exempt as a resource for 12 months after receipt 2. You should still REPORT the refund when you receive it, but clearly mark it as "tax refund" so it's properly coded as exempt 3. Your main focus should be on accurately reporting your self-employment income throughout the year on your SAR 7 forms 4. For your renewal, you'll need to complete a self-employment form (CW 10) detailing your income and business expenses 5. Keep all receipts and documentation - with cash work and no 1099s, good record-keeping is crucial Hope this helps clarify things!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you file your taxes, make sure you keep a copy of your tax return! Your CalWORKs worker might ask for it during your renewal to verify your self-employment income matches what you've been reporting all year. Also, since you mentioned you do cleaning and babysitting, you might want to look into whether any of your regular clients should be giving you 1099s. If you make $600+ from any single household in a year, they're supposed to issue one. Not saying you need to chase people down for them, but just something to be aware of for next tax season. The earned income tax credit you mentioned is awesome - that's money back in your pocket that doesn't count against your CalWORKs at all. You're doing everything right by staying on top of this stuff before your renewal!