Just a heads up, since ur SAR7 was for Nov-April benefit period, don't 4get that December is also when they add the special needs winter clothing allowance for families with kids in colder counties! So ur Dec payment might be even more than what the worker told you if u have children on ur case and live in one of those counties. I always forget about this until it shows up!

Did you also report the income change on your CalFresh (food stamps)? Just making sure because sometimes people forget that CalWORKs and CalFresh are separate even though they're on the same EBT card. Your CalFresh should also increase with the lower income, but that might be on a different schedule than your cash aid.

@username5 With a child under 6, your WTW requirement is only 20 hours per week, not 30. Since you're working 15-20 hours, you're right at the minimum. Your worker should have discussed WTW with you if it was an issue. If they're just fixing the income calculation, that's probably all it was. But it wouldn't hurt to ask about your WTW status the next time you speak with them, just to make sure you're meeting requirements. There are also exemptions available if you can't meet the hours requirement for good cause (like lack of childcare, health issues, etc.).

Thank you so much for the clarification! I had no idea the hour requirement was different with a younger child. I'll definitely ask about this next time I talk to my worker.

Based on your responses, this sounds like it might be a supportive service payment related to your Welfare to Work participation. San Bernardino County often provides transportation allowances, ancillary payments (for things like books, supplies, or uniforms), and sometimes retroactive childcare stipends to WTW participants. These are separate from your regular Cash Aid amount. However, the only way to know for sure is to contact your worker. When you call, specifically ask if it's: 1. A WTW supportive service payment 2. The diaper benefit for your 2-year-old ($30/month per eligible child) 3. A retroactive adjustment Also request that they document in your case notes that you called to inquire about the payment. This protects you in case they later claim it was an overpayment.

UPDATE: Finally got through to my worker! It WAS the transportation allowance for my WTW activities plus they owed me a diaper stipend for my 2-year-old that hadn't been processed correctly. She said I should have gotten a notice about it but it must have gotten lost in the mail. She's sending me a new one. Thanks everyone for the help!!

One important update: when you request the appeal, make sure you specifically say you want "aid paid pending" in writing. This means they have to continue your old benefit amount until the hearing if you request it within 10 days of the notice date. It's your right, but they don't always tell you about it! Also, double-check if they're incorrectly counting any exempt income. Child support that's assigned to the county shouldn't count against your grant.

let us know what happens! this stuff makes me so nervous cuz i might need to add someone to my case next month