sorry to hijack but this reminds me. does anyone know if the incoming child support payments affect your calworks amount? my ex finally got a job and they're taking child support from his check but i'm worried my cash aid will get reduced. should i even report it?

This happened to me too, and it turned out my card was blocked because they sent me a new one that I never received! Call the EBT customer service line (not the county) at 1-877-328-9677 and ask if a new card was issued or if your current one is blocked for any reason. Sometimes they send replacement cards without telling you if your old one is about to expire. The county never notifies you, it's ridiculous.

btw if ur kid is under 3 you can get the $30 diaper allowance too with calworks. they dont tell u about it u gotta ask

Since your child is 4, you should ask about: 1. Childcare assistance - covers care while you work or do WTW activities 2. Transportation assistance - can help with bus passes or gas money to get to work 3. Once-in-a-lifetime homeless assistance if you're at risk of losing housing 4. Work expense allowances if you need special clothing/tools for your job 5. CalFresh (food benefits) if you haven't applied already When you have your interview, just be upfront about your current situation - working part-time, struggling with childcare costs, etc. The cross-state tax issue from 2020 really shouldn't impact your current eligibility. If the worker seems fixated on that, politely ask how that affects your current application and why it matters for determining your present eligibility.

Did you check if your renewal was actually received in the system? Sometimes they mark things as "not received" even when submitted through BenefitsCal. You can check the status in your BenefitsCal account under Documents & Notices.

This whole system is such a mess. My friend in LA County set up an in-person appointment through BenefitsCal when she couldn't get through on the phone. Does Santa Barbara offer that option?

lol they change the rules all the time. I got denied last month cuz I went over the income limit by $32!!! but then got approved this month with the SAME income. make sure you ask for the exact income limits for ur family size. also bring ALL ur school paperwork and financial aid info. they count some school money as income depending what kind it is

Just to add some specifics about the education requirements: For your programs to count as WTW activities, you need to show they lead directly to employment and are likely to help you become self-sufficient. You'll need to complete a WTW 2 form for each of you, along with your current class schedules, enrollment verification, and a statement from each program showing the expected completion date and job prospects. For the parent who isn't using the young child exemption, the standard participation requirement is 35 hours per week for two-parent families. If your educational program doesn't meet all those hours, you may need to supplement with other approved activities like work experience, job search, or additional trainings. Also important: Make sure to apply for the CalWORKs program at your colleges! Many community colleges have special CalWORKs offices that provide additional support services for students receiving Cash Aid.

One other thing to consider - if your husband's self-employment income varies significantly from month to month, you might want to ask your worker about

Thank you! The income averaging sounds perfect for our situation. His handyman work is super unpredictable - sometimes neighbors need lots of help and sometimes nothing for weeks. Having a stable benefit amount would make budgeting so much easier.I'm definitely going to switch to written communication from now on. I've been calling her office, but you're right that I need a paper trail. I'll email her about the self-employment declaration we're preparing and see if she responds more professionally in writing.