This is such a frustrating situation and you're absolutely right to be upset! The system really fails people when they don't clearly explain these major differences between programs upfront. I went through something similar and was shocked to learn that Medi-Cal cooperation requirements are so much harsher than CalWORKs. Here's what I'd strongly recommend doing immediately: **Request a fair hearing with "aid paid pending" RIGHT NOW** - you have 90 days from your notice date and this keeps your Medi-Cal active during the entire hearing process (which can take months). This is absolutely critical. **Document everything about your current arrangement** - gather texts showing expense sharing, custody coordination, anything proving your system works well for the kids. Even without safety concerns, showing that forced cooperation would disrupt a beneficial arrangement might help. **Talk to your ex BEFORE the county contacts him** - explain this isn't your choice and you're only considering cooperation to keep healthcare. When they contact him without warning, it can destroy co-parenting relationships. The whole system punishes families who are already handling things responsibly, but don't give up. I've seen people successfully navigate this while protecting both their healthcare and family relationships. Act fast on that hearing request though - it's your best protection right now.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you - it's absolutely infuriating that they don't explain these crucial differences upfront! I just went through something very similar and the lack of transparency about Medi-Cal vs CalWORKs cooperation rules is honestly unacceptable. Here's what you need to do IMMEDIATELY: 1. **Call to request a fair hearing with "aid paid pending" first thing tomorrow** - you only have 90 days from your notice date and this will keep your Medi-Cal active during the entire hearing process. This is your lifeline right now. 2. **Have that conversation with your ex TONIGHT** - explain that this isn't your choice and the county is forcing cooperation just to keep your healthcare. Don't let them blindside him and destroy your co-parenting relationship. 3. **Start gathering documentation** - all those texts about shared expenses, custody schedules, how well your arrangement has worked for the kids over 2 years. Even without safety concerns, showing that disrupting your functional system would harm the children might give you a shot at that good cause exemption. The system is completely backwards for punishing responsible parents who already have arrangements that work, but don't lose hope. I've seen people here successfully navigate this mess while keeping both their healthcare and family relationships intact. You've got a solid plan now - just act fast on that hearing request!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I just wanted to add a few practical tips from when I went through this same situation about 2 years ago. First, definitely call tomorrow after your doctor appointment - don't stress about being a few days past the 10-day mark since you're waiting for medical confirmation. When you call, have a pen and paper ready because they'll likely give you several things to follow up on. Here's my checklist from when I reported my pregnancy: - Ask for the CW 61 form to be mailed/emailed so you can take it to your next doctor visit - Ask specifically about the pregnancy special needs supplement (they don't always mention it automatically) - Request information about WTW exemptions due to pregnancy symptoms - Get your worker's direct number and best times to reach them One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple log of my morning sickness symptoms and how they affected my daily activities. When my doctor filled out the CW 61, I was able to give him specific examples like "unable to attend job search appointments 3 days this week due to severe nausea" - this made the exemption approval much smoother. Also, don't forget to update your WIC benefits for your pregnancy - they'll increase your food allowances and add prenatal supplements. The extra nutrition support is so important right now! You're going to do great navigating this. The system can seem overwhelming but there are people there to help you through it. Take care of yourself! 💙

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm a mom of two and went through CalWORKs during both pregnancies, so I totally understand your concerns about balancing everything. Everyone here has given you excellent advice, but I want to emphasize a few key points: **Report ASAP after your doctor visit** - Don't stress about being a couple days past 10 days since you're waiting for medical confirmation. Just be honest about your timeline when you call. **The WTW exemption is crucial** - With severe morning sickness, this protection from sanctions is way more valuable than worrying about the small pregnancy supplement amount. I was so sick during my first pregnancy that I couldn't complete my required job search hours for almost 2 months. The exemption saved me from getting sanctioned. **Ask for everything upfront** - Request the CW 61 form, ask about the pregnancy supplement, and get your worker's direct contact info all in one call. Some workers are overwhelmed and won't mention everything you're eligible for unless you specifically ask. **Document everything** - Keep records of when you called, what you requested, and any forms you submit. This helps avoid confusion later. The morning sickness is so rough, but it does get better for most people around 12-14 weeks. Hang in there mama, and don't hesitate to advocate for yourself and the support you need during this time. You're growing a human - that's hard work! 💕

Hey Olivia! I just went through this exact same process about a month ago in Contra Costa County. I was approved on a Thursday afternoon (sounds just like your situation) and my cash aid loaded on Monday morning - so 4 calendar days but only 1 business day since it was over the weekend. A couple things that really helped me: First, I called the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 every morning at 6 AM to check my balance. The automated system is so much faster early in the morning, and deposits usually post overnight so you'll know right away. Second, make sure you ask for your CASH balance specifically when you call - since you had CalFresh before, your food and cash benefits show up as separate amounts on the same card. For your PIN reset, that same EBT customer service number is definitely the way to go. They reset mine in about 3 minutes once I got through - way better than trying to reach your caseworker who will just tell you to call that number anyway. Since your rent is due soon, I'd also suggest asking your caseworker about "Immediate Need" processing if you don't see the money by Monday. They can sometimes expedite urgent cases, especially when someone is facing potential eviction. The ebtEDGE app is also a total game-changer - set up push notifications so you'll know instantly when your cash posts instead of calling constantly. You've got this! Getting approved was definitely the hardest part and you're almost there.

I went through this same situation about 8 months ago in Santa Clara County! I was approved on a Friday and my cash aid loaded the following Tuesday morning - so 4 calendar days but only 2 business days. Since you're cutting it close with rent being due, here's what I'd recommend based on my experience: Call the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) first thing Monday morning around 6 AM to check your balance. The system is way less busy early in the morning and deposits typically post overnight, so you'll know right away if it's there. Make sure you're asking for your CASH balance specifically, not your food stamp balance - they're separate accounts on the same card and it's easy to get confused. Also, if you don't see anything by Tuesday morning, definitely ask your caseworker about an "Immediate Need" payment since you're facing a rent deadline. I didn't know this was an option until after the fact, but they can sometimes expedite payments for urgent situations like potential eviction. For your PIN reset, that same EBT customer service number is your best bet - they reset mine in under 5 minutes with just my card number and SSN for verification. Way faster than dealing with county phone systems! The ebtEDGE app is also a lifesaver - download it and set up push notifications so you'll know the instant your cash posts instead of calling constantly. Hang in there - getting approved is definitely the hardest part and you're so close to having that relief!

I'm dealing with something similar in Whittier! Getting letters from multiple offices is so confusing. One thing that helped me was calling the main DPSS number (866-613-3777) early in the morning around 8 AM - the wait times are usually shorter then. When you get through, ask them to do a "benefit history review" for your case. They can tell you exactly what triggered the reduction and when it started. Also, since your son just started working, make sure you understand the "earned income disregard" rules. The first $225 of his monthly earnings shouldn't count against your benefits, but anything over that gets calculated into your grant reduction. It might be worth having him track his hours carefully to stay under certain thresholds if possible while he's saving for college. Good luck at the Pomona office tomorrow! Bring copies of everything - your son's pay stubs, the CalWORKs notices showing the reduction, and your most recent SAR7. Sometimes having all the paperwork right there helps them figure out the issue faster.

I'm new to CalWORKs and this thread is so helpful! I just applied last month and was wondering why I haven't been assigned a specific caseworker yet. Now I understand it's this new "regionalized" system everyone is talking about. For anyone still dealing with the two-office situation - I called the main number yesterday and the worker explained that sometimes your case gets "split" between offices during processing, especially if you moved recently or if there were any address changes in your application. She said it should eventually get consolidated to your home office, but it can take a few months. Also wanted to mention that if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, I've had good luck using the "callback" option instead of waiting on hold. You can request a callback and they usually call back within a few hours during business days.

I'm a newer member here but also a student veteran dealing with this exact confusion! My husband is the veteran in our family and we've been getting completely contradictory information from different county workers about his GI Bill BAH. This entire thread has been so incredibly helpful - I had no idea there was a specific federal regulation that clearly exempts GI Bill benefits from CalFresh calculations! The breakdown everyone provided about CalFresh vs CalWORKs rules finally makes sense of why we were hearing such different things. I'm definitely going to implement the strategies mentioned here - especially asking upfront for a Veterans Benefits Coordinator and bringing printed copies of that federal regulation (7 CFR 273.9(c)(10)). We've been spending so much on textbooks and lab supplies that I never realized could count as educational expense deductions for CalWORKs. One thing I wanted to add - our school's Veterans Resource Center has been really helpful in explaining what documentation we should gather. They even offered to provide a letter confirming my husband's enrollment status and typical costs for his program, which seems like it could help with credibility. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and specific resources. It's so reassuring to know that other veteran families have successfully navigated this system despite the initial confusion. Planning to call our county office tomorrow armed with all this information!

Welcome to the community! Your experience sounds exactly like what so many of us have been through - that contradictory information from different workers is incredibly frustrating when you're already stressed about finances while in school. You're absolutely on the right track with your plan! Having that federal regulation (7 CFR 273.9(c)(10)) printed out has been a game-changer for many people in this thread. When workers can see the actual regulation language stating that GI Bill benefits are exempt from CalFresh income calculations, it really helps clear up the confusion. The fact that your school's Veterans Resource Center offered to provide documentation is fantastic - that kind of official letterhead from the school often carries extra weight with county workers. Having them confirm enrollment status and typical program costs could really help, especially for the CalWORKs educational expense deductions. One tip that's worked for others here: when you call tomorrow, lead with "I need to speak with someone who handles veteran benefits cases" right from the start. This helps them route you to someone who actually knows these policies rather than guessing. Your husband earned these educational benefits through his service, and you deserve accurate information about how they interact with other programs. Don't let the initial confusion discourage you - once you connect with a knowledgeable worker, things tend to move much more smoothly. Good luck with your call tomorrow! This community is here to support you through the process, so feel free to update us on how it goes. You've got this!