nobody mentined but u can also do online classes at some places. thats what im doing cause i have 3 kids at home. my worker counted my zoom classes + they gave me 10 hrs of study time each week. just make sure the school can track ur attendance somehow or they mite not aprove it

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching your worker, you can also visit the office in person to submit your WTW plan update request. I know it's a pain, but sometimes showing up physically gets faster results than trying to call. Also, once you get education approved, make sure you understand exactly what documentation they need from you each month. My county wants class schedules, attendance records, and grade reports every 30 days. Missing any of these can cause them to stop counting your hours even if you're doing great in school. Good luck with whatever path you choose - education really can open doors!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly moved by this entire thread! Reading through Aileen's journey from receiving that terrifying 3-day eviction notice to successfully securing CalWORKs Homeless Assistance has been both educational and inspiring. What really stands out to me is how this conversation perfectly illustrates the power of community knowledge. The official CalWORKs resources and websites don't capture the nuanced, practical advice that everyone shared here - like the importance of bringing your eviction notice as emergency documentation, the reality that you'll need to wait hours at the office with your kids, and the fact that having children under 5 can expedite your case. I'm especially grateful for the transparency about the system's limitations - the fact that Homeless Assistance only covers up to 2 months of back rent, the 12-month waiting period between applications, and the phone system challenges that force you to go in person for emergencies. These are crucial details that can help people set realistic expectations and plan accordingly. The follow-up resources mentioned throughout this thread - Claimyr for phone assistance, legal aid for landlord issues, 211 for additional rental assistance, and the various CalWORKs supplements beyond just Cash Aid - show there's actually a broader safety net available than many people realize. Aileen, congratulations on successfully navigating this crisis and keeping your family housed! Your willingness to update the community with your progress will undoubtedly help others facing similar situations. Thank you to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experience - this is exactly the kind of supportive community that can make life-changing differences for families in crisis.

This thread has been an incredible resource for me as someone new to both this community and the CalWORKs system! I'm not currently facing a housing crisis, but I'm amazed by how much practical, life-saving knowledge has been shared here. What really impresses me is how everyone rallied around Aileen when she was in crisis, providing specific, actionable advice rather than just generic sympathy. The details about bringing the 3-day notice as emergency documentation, the reality of waiting hours at the office, and the importance of getting landlord agreements in writing - these are the kinds of insights you simply can't find in official program materials. I'm particularly grateful for the transparency about both the system's strengths and limitations. Learning that Homeless Assistance can cover up to 2 months of back rent but has a 12-month waiting period, or that phone systems are nearly impossible but in-person visits can get same-day approval - this helps people approach the process with realistic expectations and proper preparation. The additional resources mentioned throughout this discussion - from Claimyr for phone assistance to legal aid for landlord disputes to 211 for supplemental rental help - show there's actually a broader safety net than many people realize. It's clear that while navigating these systems is challenging, there ARE pathways to help when you know where to look. Aileen, I'm so glad your story had a positive outcome! Your updates will undoubtedly help future families facing similar crises. Thank you to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experience - this is exactly the kind of community support that can prevent homelessness and keep families together.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of having benefits cut off unexpectedly is just awful, especially with kids depending on you. I went through something similar about 8 months ago where my recertification interview notice got "lost" and I had to reapply from scratch. A few things that helped me get through it faster: 1. When you submit your BenefitsCal application, call the very next business day to confirm they received it and ask for an estimated timeline 2. If you haven't already, apply for expedited CalFresh benefits at the same time - the food assistance often gets approved faster than cash aid 3. Ask specifically about "good cause" for missing your original interview since you never received notice - sometimes they can reinstate without making you go through the full reapplication process The timeline for me was about 2.5 weeks from reapplication to getting benefits restored, but I know every county is different. Make sure to mention the rent deadline during your interview - they have more flexibility to expedite when there's immediate housing risk. Also, don't feel bad about calling frequently to check on status. You're not being a nuisance - you're advocating for your family's basic needs. Keep a log of every call and conversation. Hang in there, and definitely keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when the system fails you like that! I just went through a similar situation a few months ago where I never received my recertification notice either. What really helped me was immediately requesting a "good cause" review when I called to reapply. Since you can prove you never got the notice (and it sounds like your contact info was current), they might be able to do a faster restoration instead of making you go through the full reapplication process. When I explained that I never received any notification and had been actively trying to contact them, my worker was able to expedite things significantly. I got my benefits back in about 10 days instead of the usual 30-45. Also, make sure to ask about emergency assistance programs while you're waiting - many counties have one-time rental assistance that's separate from CalWORKs that can help bridge the gap. The stress is overwhelming but don't give up - you're doing everything right by fighting for your family!

This is such a frustrating situation and honestly one of the worst-kept secrets about CalWORKs! I went through the exact same thing when I had to unexpectedly travel to my uncle's funeral in Utah last year. The out-of-state EBT cash restrictions are absolutely real and there's no way around them once you're already out of state. What worked for me was having my roommate withdraw cash from my account back in California and send it through Zelle - it was instant and free since we both bank with Chase. If Zelle doesn't work, Cash App or Venmo are good alternatives with low fees. Also definitely call Nevada 211 like others mentioned - they connected me with a local food pantry in Utah that helped with groceries while I waited for the money transfer. The fact that they don't clearly explain these restrictions during CalWORKs orientation is honestly criminal - this should be printed in bold letters on every piece of paperwork they give us. Hope your mom's recovery goes smoothly and you can get this money situation sorted out quickly!

This is such an awful way to find out about these restrictions! I went through the exact same thing when my grandma got sick in Arizona last year. The EBT cash block is unfortunately real and there's no emergency override, but here's what worked for me: I had my brother back in California withdraw the cash and send it through PayPal - it was faster than Western Union and the fees were way lower. Also, try calling the local United Way office in Nevada (you can find the number through 211) - they sometimes have emergency cash assistance programs for people temporarily visiting the state who are helping with medical situations. Some grocery stores like Safeway will also let you buy prepaid Visa cards with EBT cash benefits, though not all locations allow this. It's absolutely ridiculous that they don't warn people about these restrictions during the application process - this should be the FIRST thing they tell you, not something you discover during a family crisis. Really hoping you can get this sorted out quickly so you can focus on helping your mom recover!

Hey Victoria! 💙 I'm so sorry to hear about your mom - sending you strength during this incredibly difficult time. I haven't personally gone through an out-of-state move with CalWORKs, but I wanted to share something that might help with getting through to someone at your county office. I've had success using the "technical issues" option when calling - sometimes those lines are less busy than the general inquiry lines. You could say you're having trouble accessing your online account to report your move (which might be true anyway with all the stress you're dealing with!). Also, if you have any local CalWORKs advocacy organizations in your area, they sometimes have direct numbers to county supervisors that aren't published publicly. It might be worth doing a quick Google search for "[your county] CalWORKs advocacy" or "welfare rights organization" - they often help people navigate exactly these kinds of urgent situations. Everyone's advice here has been spot-on about documenting everything. I'd also suggest taking photos of your current EBT card and any other CalWORKs documents before you pack them away, just as backup in case anything gets lost during the move. Your mom is so lucky to have someone who cares enough to uproot their life to help her. Take care of yourself too during this transition! 🙏

Victoria, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's health situation - what a difficult and stressful time for you and your family! 💙 I wanted to add something that might help with your transition that I don't think anyone else has mentioned yet. When you close your California case, make sure to ask them for a "case closure letter" or "benefit termination notice" that specifically states your case was closed due to moving out of state (not for any other reason like non-compliance or income changes). This letter can be really helpful when you apply in Colorado because it shows you were in good standing when your benefits ended, and some states use this information to expedite applications for people transitioning between programs. Also, Colorado has a really helpful customer service line for their PEAK system where you can actually talk to someone about application questions before you submit. The number is on their website and I found them much easier to reach than California's system! One last thing - if you're having trouble with your current caseworker, you can also try going to your county office in person and asking to speak with the "eligibility supervisor" or "duty worker" about your urgent move situation. Sometimes face-to-face gets better results than phone calls. You're doing such a loving thing by moving to care for your mom. Wishing you both all the best during this transition! 🙏✨