nobody mentined but u can also do online classes at some places. thats what im doing cause i have 3 kids at home. my worker counted my zoom classes + they gave me 10 hrs of study time each week. just make sure the school can track ur attendance somehow or they mite not aprove it

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching your worker, you can also visit the office in person to submit your WTW plan update request. I know it's a pain, but sometimes showing up physically gets faster results than trying to call. Also, once you get education approved, make sure you understand exactly what documentation they need from you each month. My county wants class schedules, attendance records, and grade reports every 30 days. Missing any of these can cause them to stop counting your hours even if you're doing great in school. Good luck with whatever path you choose - education really can open doors!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of having benefits cut off unexpectedly is just awful, especially with kids depending on you. I went through something similar about 8 months ago where my recertification interview notice got "lost" and I had to reapply from scratch. A few things that helped me get through it faster: 1. When you submit your BenefitsCal application, call the very next business day to confirm they received it and ask for an estimated timeline 2. If you haven't already, apply for expedited CalFresh benefits at the same time - the food assistance often gets approved faster than cash aid 3. Ask specifically about "good cause" for missing your original interview since you never received notice - sometimes they can reinstate without making you go through the full reapplication process The timeline for me was about 2.5 weeks from reapplication to getting benefits restored, but I know every county is different. Make sure to mention the rent deadline during your interview - they have more flexibility to expedite when there's immediate housing risk. Also, don't feel bad about calling frequently to check on status. You're not being a nuisance - you're advocating for your family's basic needs. Keep a log of every call and conversation. Hang in there, and definitely keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when the system fails you like that! I just went through a similar situation a few months ago where I never received my recertification notice either. What really helped me was immediately requesting a "good cause" review when I called to reapply. Since you can prove you never got the notice (and it sounds like your contact info was current), they might be able to do a faster restoration instead of making you go through the full reapplication process. When I explained that I never received any notification and had been actively trying to contact them, my worker was able to expedite things significantly. I got my benefits back in about 10 days instead of the usual 30-45. Also, make sure to ask about emergency assistance programs while you're waiting - many counties have one-time rental assistance that's separate from CalWORKs that can help bridge the gap. The stress is overwhelming but don't give up - you're doing everything right by fighting for your family!

This is such a frustrating situation and honestly one of the worst-kept secrets about CalWORKs! I went through the exact same thing when I had to unexpectedly travel to my uncle's funeral in Utah last year. The out-of-state EBT cash restrictions are absolutely real and there's no way around them once you're already out of state. What worked for me was having my roommate withdraw cash from my account back in California and send it through Zelle - it was instant and free since we both bank with Chase. If Zelle doesn't work, Cash App or Venmo are good alternatives with low fees. Also definitely call Nevada 211 like others mentioned - they connected me with a local food pantry in Utah that helped with groceries while I waited for the money transfer. The fact that they don't clearly explain these restrictions during CalWORKs orientation is honestly criminal - this should be printed in bold letters on every piece of paperwork they give us. Hope your mom's recovery goes smoothly and you can get this money situation sorted out quickly!

This is such an awful way to find out about these restrictions! I went through the exact same thing when my grandma got sick in Arizona last year. The EBT cash block is unfortunately real and there's no emergency override, but here's what worked for me: I had my brother back in California withdraw the cash and send it through PayPal - it was faster than Western Union and the fees were way lower. Also, try calling the local United Way office in Nevada (you can find the number through 211) - they sometimes have emergency cash assistance programs for people temporarily visiting the state who are helping with medical situations. Some grocery stores like Safeway will also let you buy prepaid Visa cards with EBT cash benefits, though not all locations allow this. It's absolutely ridiculous that they don't warn people about these restrictions during the application process - this should be the FIRST thing they tell you, not something you discover during a family crisis. Really hoping you can get this sorted out quickly so you can focus on helping your mom recover!

So glad you got confirmation that everything is on track! This is exactly why I always recommend calling when you're worried - even though the hold times are brutal, getting that peace of mind is worth it. Your experience will definitely help other people who find themselves in the same situation. The system can be really stressful when you don't know what's happening behind the scenes, but at least now you know the process is working as it should.

I'm going through the same thing right now with my first SAR7! I submitted mine about a week ago and have been checking the status obsessively. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that it's normal for processing to take 5-10 business days and that our benefits should continue as long as we submitted before the deadline. @cc288379ec13 I'm so glad you were able to get confirmation over the phone! That gives me hope that I can do the same if I need to. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating the CalWORKs system.

UPDATE: i went to BofA yesterday and got all my cash aid money at once! the teller was really helpful and didnt charge any fees. i deposited it to my checking account and paid my rent online. going to fill out that direct deposit form too so i dont have this problem again. thanks everyone for your help!!!!

So glad you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - you can also check your EBT cash balance anytime by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or logging into the EBT cardholder portal online. This way you know exactly how much you have before going to the bank. Also, some Bank of America locations have longer lines than others, so if you're in a hurry like Isabella was, calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you stress!