Congrats on getting the job at Target! That's a big step. Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of any work-related expenses like uniforms, transportation, or meals during your shifts. Some of these might be deductible from your income when they calculate your benefits. Also, if you end up working more hours some weeks (like during holidays when retail gets busy), just keep an eye on that monthly total to make sure you don't accidentally go over your IRT. It's smart that you're being proactive about understanding the rules - that'll save you headaches later!

Hey! I'm also new to working while on CalWORKs and this thread has been super helpful. Just wanted to add that when I started my job, my worker told me to keep ALL my paystubs and any documentation about hours worked - they want to see everything during your next eligibility review. Also, if you have any gaps in employment or your hours vary a lot week to week (which sounds like might happen with your 22-25 hour range), make sure to explain that when you report. They prefer consistent reporting over surprises. Good luck with the Target job - retail can be tough but the experience is valuable!

Just noticed you mentioned you're a new applicant - did you complete your WTW (Welfare to Work) appointment yet? Sometimes they hold the first cash payment until after you've done that initial WTW orientation meeting. Might be worth checking if that's what's delaying things.

Hey @Zara Rashid! I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago - single mom, just approved, super stressed about when the cash would hit. Here's what I learned: for new cases, they sometimes take 3-5 business days from approval to load your first cash payment, regardless of the normal schedule. Since you were approved "last week" and got your card yesterday, I'd expect it to show up within the next day or two. One thing that helped me was checking my balance multiple times throughout the day - sometimes the money loads overnight or early morning. Also, if you have your approval paperwork, look for any mention of "first payment date" - mine was buried in the small print but it was there. If nothing shows up by Thursday and you're really stressed about rent, definitely contact your worker about emergency assistance options. Good luck!

To summarize what everyone's saying: While there's no automatic system that will immediately cut your benefits if your mother claims your child on taxes, it creates a contradiction that could cause problems. For CalWORKs, you're saying you have primary responsibility for your daughter. For IRS purposes, your mother would be claiming she provides more than half of your daughter's support. If you want to avoid potential complications with your benefits, the safest approach is to make sure your tax filing is consistent with what you report to CalWORKs. This means you should be the one claiming your daughter as a dependent.

Smart decision! I went through something similar and learned that consistency across all government systems is crucial. Your mom probably means well, but the potential risk to your stability just isn't worth it. One thing to consider - if your mom is providing significant support through childcare and purchasing items for your daughter, make sure you're accurately reporting any cash assistance she gives you on your SAR7 forms. The county needs to know about all sources of support, but as long as your daughter lives with you primarily and you're her main caretaker, you should be fine claiming her on taxes yourself. Also, once you complete your WTW program and get stable employment, you might be able to revisit the tax situation with your mom if circumstances change. But for now, protecting your Cash Aid is the priority.

Maya, I'm a single mom who recently went through this exact process, and I want to share something that really helped me - the CalWORKs Student Success Team program! Many community colleges have this specific program where they assign you a counselor who understands both the academic and benefits side of things. They helped me create an educational plan that was approved by CalWORKs, which made reporting so much smoother. One thing I learned is that you can also count childcare costs while you're in class as educational expenses - even if you're using informal childcare like paying a neighbor or family member. Just make sure to keep receipts or write up simple agreements showing what you're paying for childcare during your class hours. Also, if your county offers the CalWORKs 48-month time limit exemption for students, make sure to apply for it! This gives you additional time to complete your education without worrying about hitting the time limit on benefits. My biggest piece of advice: don't wait until you receive the aid to start the conversation with your worker. I actually brought my acceptance letter and preliminary aid information to my worker before the semester even started, and we worked out a plan together. This prevented any surprises or misunderstandings later. You're making such a smart choice for your family's future! I'm now in my final semester and already have job interviews lined up in my field. The temporary stress of managing benefits while in school is so worth it for the long-term opportunities you're creating. Your kids will be so proud watching their mom graduate! 🎓✨

Maya, as someone who's been through this exact situation, I want to share what worked for me! I'm a single mom who completed my first year at community college while on CalWORKs and CalFresh. The most important thing I learned is that documentation is EVERYTHING. Here's what I did that made the process smooth: **Before receiving any aid:** - I met with both my financial aid office AND my CalWORKs worker to explain my situation - Got a detailed award letter showing exactly what each dollar was designated for - Asked for the "Student Educational Expense Worksheet" that breaks down all anticipated costs **What counted vs. what didn't:** - Tuition, books, supplies, transportation, childcare during class = NOT counted as income - Any leftover "excess" amount = counted as income In my case, I received $4,200 in Pell Grant, but after tuition ($2,800), books ($350), supplies ($180), gas for campus ($220), only about $650 was considered income. My CalFresh stayed the same, and my Cash Aid only decreased by about $45/month. **Pro tip:** Start a dedicated folder NOW for all school receipts - even things like parking passes, calculator, backpack if required for classes. Every legitimate educational expense reduces what counts as income. Also ask about your college's CalWORKs support services - many have emergency grants, book lending programs, and childcare resources that can help minimize your costs. Don't let fear hold you back from this amazing opportunity! You're investing in your family's future, and the system is designed to support people working toward self-sufficiency. Your kids will be so proud watching their mom succeed in college! 💪📚

As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm facing a potential rent increase myself and was terrified about what it might mean for my benefits. Reading everyone's real experiences has been so much more helpful than anything my worker has ever explained to me. What really stands out to me is how many hidden programs exist that workers apparently don't tell you about unless you ask by name. I had never heard of Housing Support Program, Special Needs Allowance, or any of these other resources despite being in the system for months. It's honestly shocking how much we have to advocate for ourselves just to learn about basic assistance that's supposedly available. I'm definitely going to use the specific language people have shared here - especially asking to "update shelter costs for CalFresh benefit calculation" and directly requesting information about "Housing Support Program" rather than just mentioning housing struggles. The fact that multiple people had success only AFTER using these exact phrases really shows how much the system relies on knowing the magic words. For @StardustSeeker and others dealing with rent increases - it's reassuring to know that CalWORKs cash aid won't decrease, even if it's disappointing that it won't increase either. At least there's potential for CalFresh increases and these other housing assistance programs that so many people didn't know existed. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips. This community knowledge is honestly more comprehensive and practical than any official guidance I've received. It really shows how much we need to support each other to navigate this complex system effectively! 💜

As someone who's been navigating CalWORKs for about a year now, this entire thread has been incredibly enlightening! I'm currently facing my own housing challenges and had no idea about most of these programs that everyone's mentioning. What really frustrates me is how the system seems designed to keep these resources hidden unless you know exactly what to ask for. I've had multiple appointments with my worker over the past year and never once has anyone mentioned Housing Support Program, Special Needs Allowance, or any of these other assistance options. It's honestly disheartening that we have to become our own advocates just to learn about basic help that's supposedly available to us. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm struck by how much this community provides better guidance than the official system. The specific language tips - like asking to "update shelter costs for CalFresh benefit calculation" instead of just mentioning rent changes - are exactly the kind of practical knowledge that makes all the difference but no one tells you upfront. I'm definitely going to call my worker this week armed with all the program names and phrases people have shared here. That question about "What additional programs or services might I qualify for?" seems like it should be standard practice, but apparently we have to specifically demand that information. Thank you to @StardustSeeker for starting this important conversation and to everyone who shared their real experiences. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone entering the CalWORKs system! The peer knowledge sharing here is invaluable for actually making the system work for families who need it. 💙