This whole thread has been such an eye-opener! I'm relatively new to this community but have been on CalWORKs for about 18 months. Like so many others here, I was told early on to "watch my savings" but never got clear numbers from my caseworker. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize how widespread this misinformation problem really is. I've been keeping my savings under $1,500 this whole time because I was terrified of losing benefits for my two kids. Finding out the actual limit is $10,000 is honestly mind-blowing - that's enough to actually build a real emergency fund! What really strikes me is how many of us are sharing almost identical stories of getting vague or outdated information from workers. This seems like a systemic training issue that's affecting families across multiple counties. We shouldn't have to piece together accurate information from community forums, but I'm so grateful spaces like this exist. @Cass Green - thank you for jumping in with official confirmation! It's reassuring to hear from an actual caseworker that the $10,000 limit is correct. Do you know if there's any way counties could do better outreach about these policy changes? It seems like a simple notice mailed to current recipients could save so many families from this unnecessary financial stress. Planning to call my worker this week to ask about the resource limits and those IDA programs. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences - you're all helping families build better financial futures! ✊

This entire discussion has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm a single parent who's been on CalWORKs for about 14 months, and like so many others here, I was given completely wrong information about savings limits. My worker told me during intake to "keep savings minimal" and mentioned something about a $2,000 limit, so I've been terrified to save more than $1,200 this whole time. Reading that the actual limit is $10,000 and that retirement accounts don't even count is literally life-changing information for me! I have a small 401k from a previous job that I've been worried about, plus I've been wanting to save for a car down payment but was scared it would disqualify us from benefits. What really frustrates me is how this misinformation is clearly affecting families across multiple counties. We're all sharing nearly identical stories of getting vague or outdated guidance from caseworkers. This shouldn't be something we have to figure out through community forums, but I'm so grateful this discussion exists! @Cass Green - thank you so much for confirming this as an actual caseworker! It gives me the confidence to call my worker and ask for written confirmation of the current limits. I'm also definitely going to ask about those IDA programs that were mentioned. To everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here - you're literally helping families build financial stability and peace of mind. This community is doing what the system should be doing automatically. Thank you all! 🙏

OMG I LOVE when people find out they're actually eligible for MORE benefits than they thought! Fill out that SAR7 TODAY and get it submitted. Don't wait until the deadline because processing can take a few days. And once your cash aid is back, make sure to ask about the diaper benefit and childcare assistance - those are HUGE helps when you have a toddler. The CalWORKs childcare benefit alone can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if you're working or in school!

Great job figuring this out! Just wanted to add that when you do start looking for work, make sure to let your CalWORKs worker know - they have programs that can help with job search, training, and even transportation assistance. And the childcare benefit through CalWORKs can cover daycare costs while you're working OR looking for work, which is amazing. Also, with a child under 2, you're in the "young child exemption" category, so you won't have strict work requirements right away. Take advantage of this time to get stable housing, finish any education/training you want to do, and plan for when those requirements kick in after your daughter turns 2. You're doing great advocating for yourself and your little one!

The confusion is totally understandable - CalWORKs payment timing can be really confusing when you're new to the system! From what you've described, those payments definitely indicate you've been approved. The $100 on March 31st was your prorated benefit for the remaining days of March after your approval, and the $120 on April 1st is your regular monthly grant amount. Your benefit amount being around $120 makes sense given that you're working 15 hours per week. CalWORKs has income disregards, but they still reduce your grant based on your earnings. The $20 cash aid portion might be a separate supplement or transportation allowance. Even though you haven't received your approval letter yet, the payment pattern you're experiencing is exactly how new approvals work. Keep trying to reach your worker for confirmation and to get a copy of your benefit calculation worksheet - that will show you exactly how they arrived at your grant amount. In the meantime, you can expect your regular monthly payment to continue on the same date each month (likely the 1st based on your April payment).

I went through this exact same confusion when I first got approved! The random small payments followed by what seemed like a tiny regular amount had me so worried. But based on everything you've shared, you're definitely approved - that payment pattern is totally normal for mid-month approvals. Since you're working part-time, your $120 monthly grant actually makes sense mathematically. CalWORKs subtracts a percentage of your earnings after the first $450 is disregarded. With 15 hours at minimum wage, you're probably earning around $1000+ monthly, so after they do the calculations, $120 sounds about right for your situation. The key thing now is making sure you stay compliant with all the Welfare to Work requirements they'll send you. Don't skip any appointments or orientations because that can result in sanctions that reduce your benefits even further. And definitely keep reporting any changes in your work hours within 10 days - even small changes can affect your grant amount. You should be getting your regular payment on the same date each month going forward. Hang in there with trying to reach your worker for that benefit calculation worksheet - it's frustrating but totally worth getting that documentation!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Navigating benefit changes while grieving and caring for four children is incredibly challenging, and your concerns are completely valid. You've received excellent advice here about the reporting requirements and how Social Security survivor benefits will affect your CalWORKs. The key points everyone has shared are spot-on - yes, you'll need to report within 10 days of receiving the first payment, and the $3,200 in survivor benefits will likely eliminate your Cash Aid since it exceeds your IRT. I want to add one suggestion that might help during this transition: consider reaching out to your local Legal Aid office or a benefits advocacy organization. They often have staff who specialize in helping families navigate the intersection of Social Security and CalWORKs benefits. They can review your specific situation and make sure you're getting all the benefits and protections you're entitled to during this change. Also, document everything during this transition - keep copies of all notices, write down what workers tell you, and save all correspondence. If there are any calculation errors or delays, having good records will help resolve issues faster. Your husband worked hard to provide this security for his children, and these benefits represent his ongoing care for your family. While the transition feels overwhelming right now, you're moving toward more stable support that will give your children security for years to come. You're being an excellent advocate for your family by asking these questions and planning ahead.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Losing your partner while raising four children is unimaginably difficult, and having to figure out how different benefits work together during this time adds so much stress. You've gotten really comprehensive advice here about the Social Security survivor benefits and CalWORKs intersection. Everyone is right that you'll need to report within 10 days of your first payment, and with $3,200 in survivor benefits versus your $2,786 IRT, your Cash Aid will likely be eliminated completely. But I want to emphasize what others have touched on - this is actually your husband's final gift to your family. These survivor benefits will provide more stable, predictable income without the stress of work requirements, time limits, or constant reporting. That $3,200 is guaranteed monthly support that will grow with cost of living adjustments over time. One practical tip for the transition: when you report to your worker, ask them to walk you through exactly what will happen month by month. Will your Cash Aid stop immediately? Will there be a partial month calculation? Understanding the timeline will help you budget during the changeover period. Also, make sure you understand your CalFresh calculation too - that benefit uses different rules and might not be reduced as drastically as your Cash Aid. You're being such a strong advocate for your children by asking these questions and planning ahead. This transition is going to lead to more stability for your family in the long run, even though it feels scary right now.

As someone who also has autism and navigated CalWORKs as a single parent, I wanted to share a few things that made a huge difference for me: **Disability accommodations are KEY** - Don't just ask for them, be specific about what you need. I requested all paperwork be sent to me by mail instead of having to pick it up, extended time for deadlines, and written confirmation of any verbal instructions. These small changes made the process so much more manageable. **Know your rights regarding Work Requirements** - With your autism diagnosis, you should qualify for what's called a "disability-based exemption" from the Welfare-to-Work requirements. This means you won't be required to do job search activities or work training programs while receiving benefits. Make sure to bring documentation of how your autism affects your daily functioning. **Apply for multiple programs at once** - When you submit your CalWORKs application, also apply for Medi-Cal (free healthcare), CalFresh (you might qualify for more than you're currently getting), and ask about the Lifeline phone program for discounted cell service. Having all these supports together makes a real difference. **Emergency assistance is available** - Since you mentioned struggling with rent, CalWORKs has immediate need provisions that can provide emergency cash within days if you're facing eviction or utility shutoff. Don't wait for your full application to process if you're in crisis. You're not alone in this, and seeking help shows how much you care about providing for your daughter. The system is complicated, but you deserve these benefits! 💙

I'm so glad you found all this information helpful! Since you mentioned getting an eviction notice next week, I want to stress that you should apply for emergency assistance IMMEDIATELY - don't wait until you finish the full CalWORKs application. Call your county's CalWORKs office first thing in the morning and specifically say "I need to apply for immediate need assistance due to impending eviction." They're required to process emergency requests within 3 working days. Also, since you're dealing with an eviction situation, you should contact your local legal aid organization right away. Many areas have free legal services for tenants, and they might be able to help you negotiate with your landlord or understand your rights. The eviction process takes time, so you may have more options than you think. When you call for the emergency assistance, mention your autism diagnosis upfront and ask for accommodations - they can do the emergency interview over the phone which will be much easier for you than going to the office in crisis mode. You're handling this crisis with such strength and determination. Your daughter is lucky to have a mom who's fighting so hard for stability. Don't hesitate to reach out for help - that's exactly what these programs are for! 💜