Thank you all SO MUCH for this amazing info and support! I'm going to apply for CalWORKs today through BenefitsCal. I'll definitely mention our overcrowded housing situation and ask about the homeless assistance program. And I'll request that good cause exemption for the one father. I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in months. Even if the cash amount isn't huge, the childcare assistance alone would be life-changing so I could work more hours or take some classes. I'll update once I get through the process. Wish me luck!

You're so smart to apply today! Just wanted to add - when you're gathering your documents, make sure to bring proof of your rent payment (like receipts or bank statements showing the $800 payments) even though you're just renting a room. They need to see your actual housing costs to calculate your benefits correctly. Also, if you have any medical expenses for you or the kids (even just copays or prescriptions), bring those receipts too because they can deduct medical costs from your income which might increase your grant amount slightly. One last thing - don't be discouraged if your first caseworker seems rushed or unfriendly. Some are amazing and some are just overwhelmed. If you run into issues, you can always ask to speak with a supervisor. You've got this mama! 💪

i don think ur gonna get that bonus tbh. when u miss the SAR they close evrything and u gotta start from scratch. thats how the county rolls lol. u should focus on getting ur regular benefits back first tho.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! As someone who's dealt with similar CalWORKs issues, I wanted to add that you should also ask about requesting a "good cause" exemption for missing the SAR 7 deadline. Sometimes they can restore benefits without making you go through the full reapplication process if you can show you had good cause for the delay (even if it was just forgetting). Also, definitely keep documenting everything - save emails, write down names and dates of who you speak with, and get any promises in writing. The system can be really inconsistent between workers, so having documentation helps if you need to escalate later. Fingers crossed your new application gets approved quickly and you can get that job bonus! 🤞

the same exact thing happened to me but with my job income. i quit my full time job and started a part time one but they still counted my old income even tho i gave them my new paystubs. the whole system is rigged i swear

So glad you got it resolved by going in person! This is exactly why I always recommend talking to a supervisor when the regular worker makes mistakes like this. The system is supposed to consider current income, especially when you provide documentation of a change BEFORE they make their decision. It's frustrating that you had to waste 3 hours waiting, but at least they admitted their error and are fixing it. Hopefully other people dealing with similar income changes will see this and know that persistence pays off. Make sure you get a copy of everything they processed today for your records!

I work with families in similar situations frequently. Here's what you need to know: 1. You must report all household members accurately, including those who are there part-time 2. For CalWORKs, children in shared custody situations can potentially be on two cases, with benefits prorated based on time in each home 3. When you report, specify exactly how many days/nights the child spends in your home 4. Provide documentation of the custody arrangement 5. Be prepared to explain the situation clearly The system has protocols for this exact situation. It's not considered fraud when both parents accurately report a shared custody arrangement. What would be problematic is if either parent claimed the child was in their home 100% of the time when that's not true. If your worker isn't clear about how to handle this, ask to speak with a supervisor who can explain the shared custody policies more thoroughly.

I went through something similar last year with my stepson. The key thing that helped me was being super clear with my caseworker about the exact custody schedule from day one. I brought in the custody agreement AND created a simple calendar showing which days he's with us vs his mom. My worker really appreciated having it all laid out clearly. The system handled it fine - we get benefits for him for the time he's with us, and his mom gets benefits for her time. No red flags, no problems. The caseworkers deal with this situation all the time, so don't stress too much about it. Just be honest and thorough with your documentation. You're doing everything right by trying to report accurately!

waait did someone say $3,682?? thats way higher than i thought! i been turning down extra shifts cuz i thought id lose my cash aid if i made over like $2000 lol

I've been through this exact situation! Don't panic - while you should have reported within 10 days of starting work, the fact that you're being proactive now will help. When you finally reach your worker, be honest about when you started and explain that you were confused about the reporting requirements. In my experience, they're usually more understanding if you come forward voluntarily rather than them finding out through a data match later. Also, keep detailed records of all your pay stubs and hours worked - you'll need them for your case review. The good news is that with a part-time job at 25 hours/week, you're probably still eligible for some assistance even after they calculate the disregards. Good luck getting through to them!