One other thing - if you're just starting this job, make sure to report it within 10 days! Even though we're on semi-annual reporting now, new jobs still need to be reported right away. And keep all your paystubs - they'll want to see them.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I have my recertification interview next week and I'll bring all my paystubs and ask my sister to write out that statement about the childcare. The calculation breakdown really helps me understand how they'll look at my income. I'm still nervous but feeling more prepared now!

You're actually in a good position! When I had my WTW orientation, they told me they WANT people to get education that leads to better jobs. Make sure you bring your enrollment papers tomorrow and ask about the Ancillary Support Services. That's what pays for books, supplies, transportation, etc. for approved activities. I got almost $300 for my CNA program supplies last year. They weren't mad at all that I had already enrolled - the worker said it showed initiative. Just explain that you're motivated to get your GED but need their support to be successful. The GED hours should count toward your WTW participation as long as they approve it in your plan. Good luck!

One thing nobody mentioned - if your GED program doesn't meet your full WTW hours requirement (which depends on your family situation, usually 20-35 hours/week), you can ask about "study time" hours to supplement. Many counties allow you to count supervised study time toward your required hours. For your appointment tomorrow, be prepared with: 1. Class schedule with days/times 2. Program information showing it leads to employment 3. List of required materials with costs 4. Childcare needs if applicable Also, ask about transportation assistance! Many don't realize CalWORKs can provide bus passes or mileage reimbursement for approved WTW activities. Good for you taking this step to improve your situation!

I used Claimyr on a Friday evening once and yes, they connected me to the after-hours emergency services for CalWORKs! They can't solve everything on weekends, but emergency benefit theft actually does qualify for urgent response in many counties. It depends on your county though. When I used it, I got through to someone who could flag my account for urgent review first thing Monday morning, which meant I got help immediately when the offices opened instead of waiting all day. They also issued a temporary emergency voucher that I could use at certain stores until my new card arrived.

One more thing I forgot to mention - while you're waiting for your Cash Aid to be replaced, make sure to call your landlord ASAP and explain the situation. Ask if they can give you a few days extension without late fees. Some landlords will work with you if you're proactive about communicating the problem. Also, bring a printout of your EBT transaction history showing the suspicious transactions when you meet with your worker on Monday. The more documentation you have, the faster they can process your claim. And definitely mention your immediate need for rent money - they can sometimes process emergency assistance within 3 business days for housing emergencies.

Your child starting kindergarten shouldn't affect your CalWORKs amount. The grant is based on family size and income, not school status. However, if you were also receiving childcare assistance through CalWORKs and now need fewer hours of coverage, that's a separate benefit that could change. One other possibility - did you receive any child support recently? CalWORKs deducts child support from your grant (though you should get the first $100 for one child or $200 for two or more children without it affecting your grant). Your best bet is still to contact your worker for a detailed explanation. Ask specifically for your "Assistance Unit's Maximum Aid Payment" and any deductions they're applying.

After you figure this out, make sure to request a "Benefit Verification Letter" that shows your exact benefit amount. You can keep this as proof for future reference. Also, if you find out there was a mistake and they owe you money, make sure to ask for retroactive payments to cover any months they underpaid you. They won't automatically offer this!

When I added my teenager back to my case last year, I had to specifically ask for the teen forms. They gave me a bunch of papers about school attendance requirements and how they check with the school district. Maybe they just forgot to give you those forms? It's worth calling to ask what happened.

I just want to add that when you call about adding your 17-year-old to your case, specifically request that they add her retroactively to the date you initially requested to add all your children. Since this appears to be their error (not giving you the proper forms or instructions for your older child), they should correct it back to the original request date. Make sure to document everything - who you speak with, date and time, what they tell you. If they say they can't add her retroactively, ask to speak with a supervisor and explain that you were never informed about different requirements for your 17-year-old.