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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.
When my husband got that construction job last summer our benefits just automatically stopped the month after his big check. I didn't report anything. Nobody ever said anything about overpayment. Maybe they just figured it out through the system? But maybe I just got lucky idk
Thanks everyone for the helpful replies! I'm going to fill out a Mid-Period Report form explaining that my husband's income will exceed our IRT but only temporarily due to holiday overtime. I'll make sure to still submit our SAR7 next month too. Better safe than sorry! Really appreciate all the guidance - the CalFresh rules can be so confusing sometimes.
Update: I called this morning and finally got through after an hour on hold. The worker confirmed my recertification interview is on the 23rd of THIS month (thank goodness). The May 1st appointment is actually a mandatory WTW orientation because my youngest just turned 2 and I'm no longer exempt. Wish they would've explained that clearly! Thanks everyone for your help - at least now I know what's going on.
Thanks for updating us! I'm glad you got it sorted out. Make sure to prepare for that WTW orientation - bring copies of your ID, social security card, and any education credentials you have. They'll go over your participation requirements and possible exemptions if you're in school or have other qualifying activities. Good luck!
Does anyone know if they're ever bringing back any of those pandemic increases? My Cash Aid is $213 less now than it was during COVID and with inflation everything costs so much more. I'm having to work extra shifts just to make up the difference and my childcare costs are eating all that extra money anyway!!! The system is so broken.
Unfortunately, all the pandemic-related benefit increases have ended and there are no plans to bring them back. However, CalWORKs did have a standard grant increase in October 2024 (though it was relatively small). Since you mentioned childcare costs - make sure you're enrolled in the CalWORKs childcare program if you're working. They should cover most or all of your childcare expenses while you're working or in an approved Welfare to Work activity. Many people don't realize they qualify for this benefit!
Update: I finally got through to my worker today. Turns out during the pandemic they weren't counting my husband's disability income the same way, and now they are. She explained that it wasn't actually about emergency allotments (I had that wrong), but about special income calculation rules during COVID. She also said I definitely should submit a SAR 3 for the rent increase. I filled it out today and dropped it off at the office with proof of the new rent amount. Thanks everyone for your help sorting this out!
Giovanni Rossi
The P-EBT program might be ending soon anyway. I got a letter saying it was the last extension but who knows with all the confusing info they send out. Congrats on your baby tho!
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DeShawn Washington
•Thanks! Yeah I never know what to believe with these programs because they're always changing the rules or sending confusing letters.
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Jamal Brown
So I just called about the diaper benefit and apparently it's been around since 2020!!! No one ever told me and I have a 2 year old and 10 month old twins! The worker said they'll add it retroactively for 3 months back but that's it. So mad right now that I missed out on like 2 years worth of diaper money because no one mentioned it! How are we supposed to know these things if they don't tell us??
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Sofía Rodríguez
•This happens ALL THE TIME with CalWORKs. They never tell us everything we're eligible for! I only found out about childcare assistance through CalWORKs after struggling to pay for daycare for 6 months. Makes me wonder what else we're missing out on...
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