forgot to say make sure u check the box for expedited calfresh when u apply! if ur income is low enough and ur rent/utilities are high enough, they can approve u in like 3 days instead of 30. worth a shot

Your situation sounds rough, sending you positive thoughts. When my husband and I split, I also applied for benefits. One thing that tripped me up was the verification process. They kept asking for more and more documents! Make sure you respond quickly to any requests for verification or your application can get denied just for not responding in time. Also just a heads up that they usually send notices through the mail, so make sure your brothers' address is a secure place for you to receive mail. My benefits got discontinued once because I missed an important notice when I was between homes.

If you do end up getting married and your CalWORKs decreases, make sure you connect with your Welfare to Work specialist right away. With lower cash aid, you might qualify for more supportive services like additional childcare hours or transportation assistance. I actually ended up qualifying for their education program after my benefits decreased from getting married, and they're helping me get my medical assistant certification now. Sometimes one door closes and another opens!

That's actually really good to know! I've been wanting to go back to school for nursing. Maybe this could be an opportunity to get more education support through WTW. I'll definitely ask about that. Thanks for sharing your experience!

my cousin had this EXACT problem!!!! her son was having potty training issues too and she got a note from the doctor saying he had some kind of developmental delay with toilet training (i forget the fancy name they used) and they gave her an extension on her exemption for like 3 more months! worth asking about

After reading through all the responses, I wanted to add a few more details that might help: 1. The specific program I mentioned earlier is called the "Family Stabilization Program" (FSP). It's part of CalWORKs and specifically designed to help families overcome temporary barriers to WTW participation. 2. For your situation, you'd request an FSP assessment specifically mentioning your child's potty training challenges as a temporary barrier to childcare placement. 3. The reduction amount others mentioned is correct - you'd lose approximately 1/3 of your grant during a sanction period. 4. If you do end up getting sanctioned, know that you can cure the sanction at any point by agreeing to comply with WTW requirements, and your full benefits would be restored the following month. 5. Document EVERYTHING - keep records of all your calls, who you spoke with, and what was discussed.

Just wanted to add something important - if you have any barriers that make it hard to complete your 30 hours, tell your worker ASAP. Things like: - Physical or mental health issues - Domestic violence situation - Transportation problems - Childcare issues These might qualify you for a temporary exemption or modified WTW plan with fewer hours. Don't struggle in silence trying to meet requirements that aren't realistic for your situation. The 30-hour requirement can be adjusted based on your circumstances.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, how you distribute hours throughout the week is flexible as long as you meet your total weekly requirement. Some people do more hours early in the week, others spread them out evenly. Regarding your son's specialist appointments - YES, that could potentially qualify you for an adjustment to your WTW plan. Document all appointments and speak with your worker about a "family stabilization" referral, which is specifically for parents dealing with children's special needs. Keep in mind that CalWORKs has supportive services that can help - they can provide transportation assistance (bus passes or mileage reimbursement) and childcare assistance while you complete your WTW activities. Don't miss out on these benefits!

Just a quick update for everyone in this thread - I spoke with my CalWORKs worker yesterday about this exact issue. The county has officially shifted to a new deposit schedule using an automated system that processes payments throughout the night rather than during the standard 9-5 workday. This is actually good news as it means funds are available earlier than before. Your benefits won't disappear if you don't withdraw them immediately - they remain on your card until you use them (though remember unused benefits don't affect your eligibility or future payment amounts).

UPDATE: I waited until morning and my money was still there! Didn't have to go out in the rain at 6am after all. Thanks everyone for the advice and peace of mind! The closest 7-11 ATM worked with no fees too.