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?

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!!!

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!

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!

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!

One more thing to consider - when you get CalWORKs, you'll switch to Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR7) forms. You'll need to report any income changes every 6 months, or immediately if you go over your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). Make sure they explain this clearly, as missing reports can cause both benefits to stop. Also, for a family your size, you should qualify for expedited CalWORKs if you have less than $100 in resources and immediate needs. Ask about this if your situation is urgent.

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.

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!

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! 💪