I just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works at a bank - we see CalWORKs direct deposits come through all the time and they're generally very reliable once set up. A couple of banking tips that might help: First, make sure your account is in good standing before switching (no negative balances, overdraft fees paid off, etc.) because any existing fees could eat into your payment. Second, if you're with a smaller community bank or credit union, they often process government payments faster than big national banks. And finally, keep your account active with small transactions even if you don't use it much - some banks will freeze inactive accounts which could cause your direct deposit to bounce back. The CA 183 form is pretty straightforward, and most bank tellers can help you figure out what info you need if you're not sure about routing numbers or account numbers. Good luck with the switch!

I've been hesitant to switch to direct deposit because I like having physical control over my payments, but after reading all these experiences I'm starting to think I'm making things harder for myself. My biggest concern is what happens during the initial transition period - has anyone had their payment get completely lost or delayed for weeks while switching over? I keep hearing it takes 1-2 payment cycles, but I'm worried about worst case scenarios since I can't afford to miss rent. Also, for those using direct deposit now, do you feel like you have less control over when you can access your money compared to cashing a check immediately? I know it sounds silly but there's something reassuring about having the physical check in hand. Would love to hear from anyone who had similar concerns before making the switch!

Congratulations on taking the job! That's such great news. I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I started working part-time. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my paystubs and any communication with my worker about how they calculated my benefits. It made the monthly reporting so much easier. Also, if you haven't already, ask your worker about any work-related expense deductions you might be eligible for - things like uniforms, transportation costs, or even childcare expenses above what they cover. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning to work while still on benefits. Hope the new job goes well for you and your daughter! It sounds like you did your research and made a smart decision.

That's awesome that you took the job! I'm so glad it worked out. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, I want to add that it's also worth asking your worker about the CalWORKs WTW (Welfare-to-Work) program if you haven't already. They can sometimes provide additional support like help with work clothes, tools, or even gas cards for transportation to work. Also, don't be discouraged if your first few benefit calculations seem confusing or if there are delays in processing your income changes. The system can be slow to adjust, but as long as you report everything on time with your SAR forms, they'll make any necessary corrections and backdate them. One more thing - if you ever get a raise or your hours increase, don't panic about losing benefits immediately. The income disregards mean you can actually earn quite a bit more before you completely phase out of assistance. Good luck with your new job!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just submitted my SAR7 yesterday and was already starting to worry when I saw it still shows "pending review" this morning. Reading everyone's experiences really helps calm my nerves - especially knowing that 5-10 business days is totally normal and that benefits continue as long as we met the deadline. @cc288379ec13 thanks for sharing your whole journey from worry to resolution, and @dac71e00e811 that specific question about whether it was "received and considered complete" is so helpful. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need to call later. It's amazing how much clearer things become when you hear from people who've actually been through the process instead of trying to decode the official websites!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 6 months now, I've submitted 3 SAR7s and each time I still get that same anxiety while waiting for processing. What I've learned is that the "pending review" status can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, but as long as you submitted before the deadline, you're protected. One tip I'd add: if you're really stressed about it, you can also check if your county has online chat support through their website - some counties offer this and it's sometimes faster than calling. Also, keep records of EVERYTHING - confirmation numbers, screenshots, dates you called, who you spoke with. I started doing this after my second SAR7 and it's saved me so much stress. @cc288379ec13 I'm really glad you got confirmation that everything was received! It's such a relief when you can actually talk to someone and get real answers.

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such an exciting opportunity and you should definitely take it. Everyone here has given you amazing advice about how the income disregards work, but I wanted to add something from my recent experience. I was in almost the exact same situation 6 months ago - $2,300/month job offer with 2 kids, terrified of losing my $845 cash aid. Turns out the income disregards really do work like everyone explained! With your $2,450 income, after the $450 disregard and 50% calculation, your countable income will be around $1,000, so you'll still get some cash aid plus keep all your other benefits. One thing that really helped me was calling the CalWORKs customer service line at 1-877-847-3663 instead of trying to reach my individual caseworker. They were able to run the calculations over the phone and tell me exactly what my new benefit amount would be before I even reported the job. It made me feel so much more confident about the decision. Also, definitely ask about the childcare assistance right away! That benefit alone saved me over $800/month in daycare costs, which more than made up for the reduction in my cash aid. You're going to be so much better off financially with work income + partial benefits + childcare support + those tax credits everyone mentioned. Take that job - you've got this!

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such wonderful news and you absolutely should take it. Everyone here has given you incredible advice about the income disregards and how the system is designed to make work pay. I just wanted to add one more resource that might help - if you're in a county that uses the C4Yourself online portal, you can actually submit your employment information and income reports online instead of waiting on hold to speak to someone. You can upload photos of your pay stubs and work verification letter right through the portal, which creates a digital record of when you reported everything. Also, once you start working, consider signing up for direct deposit for both your paycheck AND your CalWORKs benefits if you haven't already. Having predictable deposit dates for both makes budgeting so much easier when you're managing multiple income sources. One last thing - don't forget to celebrate this achievement! Getting a job offer while managing everything as a single parent is no small feat. You're taking a huge step toward independence and setting such a positive example for your kids. The transition might feel overwhelming at first, but you're going to do amazing! Take that job with confidence - you've got all the information you need to navigate this successfully, and this community is here to support you every step of the way!

That's awesome that you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're in a WTW program and NOT getting these payments automatically, definitely speak up. Sometimes there are system glitches or your program might not be coded correctly in their system. I had to push my worker to check why mine weren't coming through, turns out my vocational training wasn't marked as "approved" even though it was on the state list. Don't assume you're not eligible - advocate for yourself!

Great to see this thread helping so many people! I went through something similar when I started my pharmacy tech program. For anyone still confused about WTW supportive payments, here are the main types you might see: transportation (most common), childcare assistance, work clothes/uniforms, books/supplies, and tools/equipment. The amounts vary by county and your specific situation. If you're not getting payments you think you should be getting, ask your worker to review your WTW plan - sometimes they need to update it to include supportive services. Also, keep attending your program regularly because they do track attendance and can stop payments if you're not participating consistently. Good luck to everyone in their programs!