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CosmicCowboy
Update: Had my interview today and got APPROVED! The worker said exactly what some of you mentioned - they counted my IHSS income for the month I received it, but since I could prove I no longer had a client (showed the text from my coordinator), they determined I had no reasonably anticipated income going forward. I'll get my CalWORKs benefits next week and CalFresh loaded tomorrow! Such a relief. For anyone in a similar situation, definitely apply right away and clearly explain your situation. Thanks everyone for the help!
Amina Diallo
•That's awesome!!! So happy for you! Make sure you keep track of your 48-month time limit though. CalWORKs only gives you 48 months of aid in your lifetime, so try to get back to work as soon as you can so you don't use up too many months. But seriously, congrats on getting approved!
Mason Davis
Congratulations on getting approved! That's such great news and I'm sure it's a huge weight off your shoulders. Your story really shows how important it is to clearly explain your situation to the eligibility worker and bring documentation when you have it. For others reading this who might be in similar situations - this is a perfect example of why you shouldn't assume you'll be denied just because you received income earlier in the month. The system does look at your current and future circumstances, not just what happened in the past. Thanks for updating us with the positive outcome!
This is such an encouraging update! I'm new to this community but have been lurking and reading stories like yours. It's really helpful to see real outcomes like this - I was worried about applying for benefits myself because of confusing income situations. Your experience shows that being honest and upfront with documentation really does make a difference. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with the good news!
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Omar Fawaz
Good point - I did get the worker's ID number and a reference number for the emergency issuance. They said I'll get a notice in the mail within 10 days confirming everything we discussed. I'll definitely follow up if I don't see the payment on my card by Friday.
So glad you got through and got this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to keep pushing and document everything. Your situation is unfortunately super common - workers going on leave and cases getting lost in the shuffle. At least now you know your rights about aid paid pending for future reference. Hope your emergency payment comes through on time!
Nia Watson
•This whole thread has been so helpful to read as someone new to CalWORKs! I'm currently going through my first recertification and was starting to worry about the timeline. It's reassuring to know there are specific rules about aid paid pending and that people here are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. Omar, I'm glad you got it sorted out - and thanks to everyone who provided the regulatory citations and practical advice. Definitely bookmarking this for future reference!
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Just wanted to add that you should also ask about the CalWORKs car repair program if you have transportation issues! Many people don't know about it but they can help with emergency car repairs up to like $1000 if you're working or in their job training program. With 6 kids, reliable transportation is so important for getting to appointments, school, work, etc. Also make sure to get copies of all your benefit calculations at the interview - sometimes there are errors and it's easier to catch them if you have the paperwork right away.
Naila Gordon
•Wow, I had no idea about the car repair program! That could be a lifesaver - my car has been making weird noises and I've been putting off getting it checked because I can't afford repairs right now. Definitely adding that to my list of questions for the interview. And great point about getting copies of everything - I've heard so many stories about benefit calculation errors.
Hey Sean! I'm in a similar situation - single mom with 5 kids and just got approved for CalWORKs last month. Yes, your CalFresh will go down but honestly the total amount you get is SO much better. My CalFresh dropped from about $1200 to around $750, but I got $1600 in CalWORKs cash aid so we're way better off overall. The hardest part was just adjusting my budget since I was used to having it all be food money. Now I have to be more careful about how much of the cash I spend on groceries vs other necessities. But having that flexibility to pay for things like school fees, clothes, and unexpected expenses has been amazing. Also definitely ask about ALL the other benefits - the childcare assistance alone has saved me hundreds! Good luck with your interview!
Isaac Wright
•Thank you so much Natalia! It's really reassuring to hear from someone with a similar family size who's been through this recently. The budget adjustment part makes total sense - I'm so used to just swiping the EBT card for food that having to divide up cash between groceries and everything else will definitely take some getting used to. But you're right, having that flexibility for unexpected expenses would be huge. My kids are always needing something for school or growing out of clothes! Really appreciate you sharing your experience - it helps calm my nerves about the interview.
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Ellie Lopez
This story makes me SO MAD. The system acts like we're criminals for having family in other states or needing to travel! I had a similar investigation when my car broke down in Nevada and I was stuck there for 3 weeks. The worker accused me of "abandoning California residency" even though I had an apartment and job here! The whole thing is ridiculous - we're allowed to TRAVEL. Having a baby is a legit medical reason to get help from family. The system is broken when they treat normal life situations like fraud. Good luck with your case - stand your ground and don't let them intimidate you!
Justin Chang
•I know right?? It feels like they're trying to trap us. I literally couldn't handle my toddler while having pregnancy complications, and my mom was the only person who could help me. Now they're acting like I committed fraud or something.
I'm so sorry you're going through this stress, especially with a newborn and toddler! This is actually more common than you think. I went through something similar when I had to stay with my sister in Oregon for 2 months after my c-section because I had complications and needed help. Here's what worked for me: I gathered EVERYTHING that showed I never stopped being a California resident - my lease agreement, utility bills that stayed in my name, bank statements showing I was still paying my CA rent, even receipts from stores near my apartment before I left and after I got back. The key thing is to show this was TEMPORARY and MEDICAL. Your pregnancy complications are a legitimate reason under CalWORKs rules. Don't let them make you feel like you did something wrong - you were taking care of your health and your children! If they won't listen, definitely ask for a supervisor or file an appeal. And document everything - write down the date/time of every conversation and what was said. You've got this mama! 💪
Sophia Miller
Does anyone know if the $23 amount changes if your income changes? like if i lose some hours at work will they increase the cash aid?
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Isabella Martin
•Yes, it absolutely will change if your income decreases. You need to report income changes if they push you over the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) that's listed on your approval notice. But even if your income goes down, you can contact your worker to report it so they can increase your benefits. The CalWORKs grant is calculated based on a formula that compares your income to the Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care (MBSAC) for your family size.
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Elijah Jackson
i had this happen 2 me in 2023. got $31 cash aid. was so mad but then found out i could get Welfare to Work services that helped me get better job training. now im making $22/hr insted of minimum wage. also the childcare benefit is HUGE. i paid $0 for childcare for almost 8 months. so dont ignore the approval even if cash amt is small!!!
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Noah Lee
•That's amazing! I'm so happy that worked out for you. I need to learn more about these Welfare to Work services. I'm currently making $16.50/hr but really want to get into medical coding or something with better pay. Maybe they can help with that too?
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