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!

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.

Honestly depends on whether the worker actually submits the paperwork when they say they will... my sister had to wait 3 MONTHS because her worker "forgot" to process it even though she signed everything. When the worker finally did it, the benefits were backdated but that didn't help her when she needed money for those 3 months! The system is a joke sometimes.

One important thing to remember: once you're added to the case, you'll need to meet your WTW hours consistently. Make sure you understand exactly how to document your job search activities and your work hours. Each county has specific forms and procedures for this. For job search documentation, generally you need to show: - Names and contact information of places you applied - Dates of applications/interviews - Follow-up actions - Time spent on each activity Keep detailed records of everything. If your worker determines you aren't meeting the requirements, they can issue a sanction, which would remove your portion of the grant (though not affect your mom's or brother's portions).

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.

just wanna say im sorry this happened to u. when my benefits got stolen last yr i had to feed my kids ramen for a week before they replaced the money. the system totally sucks and they treat us like were liars. hope u get ur money back quick

ALSO make sure your mailing address is up to date with the county!! A lot of benefit theft happens because people are stealing cards right out of mailboxes when they get sent out. If you've moved or aren't getting mail reliably, you can have your EBT card held at the county office for pickup instead of mailed.