Thank you all for the help! I called my worker this morning and specifically mentioned that my daughter is a full-time high school student and her income should be exempt. She checked something in the system and confirmed you're all right - it won't count against our eligibility! Such a relief. Now I just need to make sure it's documented correctly on the SAR7 when we get it.

So glad to hear you got it resolved! This is such a common issue and it's frustrating how many workers don't seem to know the student exemption rules. For anyone else reading this - definitely keep pushing if your worker tries to count your high school student's income. The regulation is clear that earned income for full-time students under 18 is completely exempt from CalWORKs calculations. Don't let them intimidate you into accepting wrong information!

This whole thing reminds me that diaper benefits are ending completely when my daughter turns 3 next month. Has anyone successfully transitioned their toddler out of diapers before the benefits end? Any potty training tips that worked with your kids? My daughter shows zero interest and I'm worried about the extra expense.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I was panicking when I saw my diaper allowance was missing from my January payment too. My 15-month-old daughter depends on that $60 and I was worried I'd done something wrong with my paperwork. It's such a relief to know it was just a system glitch and not something I messed up. I'll keep checking my account for the supplemental payment. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helped calm my nerves knowing I wasn't the only one dealing with this!

Quick update for everyone: I checked with several counties, and all of them confirmed they're accepting walk-ins for recertifications. However, many offices are experiencing higher than normal traffic due to staffing issues post-pandemic. One important tip: If you go in person, ask them to make a note in your case file that you attempted the phone appointment but couldn't get through after a reasonable wait time. This documentation can protect you if there's any question about whether you made a good faith effort to complete your recertification on time.

I've been through this exact situation multiple times! The phone system is absolutely broken - I once waited 4 hours only to get disconnected right when someone picked up. Here's what worked for me: Go to the office first thing when they open (usually 8am). Bring a printed copy of your appointment confirmation if you have it, plus screenshots showing how long you were on hold. Most importantly, bring EVERYTHING - birth certificates, Social Security cards, rent receipts, utility bills, bank statements, pay stubs, school enrollment forms if you have kids, medical documentation, etc. Even bring stuff you think they won't need because they'll ask for something random you forgot. When you get there, be super polite but firm - explain you had a phone appointment, waited hours, and couldn't get through. Ask them to document in your case that you made a good faith effort. Most workers understand the phone system is a mess and will work with you. Also, if this happens again in the future, try calling right at 8am when they open - that's usually when you have the best chance of getting through quickly. Good luck tomorrow!

One more important detail: When you report WEX or Subsidized Employment income on your SAR 7, the first $225 of earned income is disregarded, and then 50% of the remainder is disregarded. This means only a portion of your earnings will count against your Cash Aid. Example: If you earn $1,000 from WEX: - First $225 doesn't count = $775 remaining - 50% of $775 doesn't count = $387.50 remaining - Only $387.50 affects your Cash Aid amount This is why these programs are so valuable - you gain work experience AND increase your total income substantially.

Just want to add that timing matters too! I'm also in Merced County and when I started my WEX placement last fall, they told me it can take 4-6 weeks after your orientation to actually get placed somewhere. The county has to find an appropriate work site that matches your skills/schedule and then do all the paperwork. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen right away! Also, some placements are better than others - I got lucky and was placed at the library which was perfect for my schedule with kids. My friend got stuck doing maintenance work at a park which wasn't ideal for her. If possible, mention any preferences or limitations during your assessment so they can try to match you better.

You'll get your first SAR7 form about 5 months after your approval. So if you were approved in July, expect it around December. The form is due by the 5th of your reporting month (which would be January in this example). One tip: CalWORKs now offers the option to complete your SAR7 online through the BenefitsCal website, which is much easier than the paper form. You can upload photos of any required documents right from your phone. Glad you were able to reach someone about the Immediate Need payment. If approved, they typically issue those within 3 business days, so that should help bridge the gap until your regular payment date.

I went through this same frustrating experience when I first got approved! The waiting period between getting your card and actually having funds available is one of those things they really should explain better upfront. Since you mentioned your case number ends in 9, you're definitely in the 20th payment group. While you're waiting for a response on the immediate need payment, here are a few other options that might help: Some churches have emergency food pantries that don't require appointments - you could call around and ask. Also, if you have any friends or family on WIC, sometimes they have extra vouchers they can't use before they expire. The system is definitely not designed with families' immediate needs in mind, but hang in there - once you get into the regular payment cycle it becomes more predictable. Just make sure to budget around those specific dates (1st, 10th, or 20th) going forward.