This is happening to me too! Started having problems on Saturday - my card works fine for buying stuff at stores but every ATM just says "declined" even though I have like $950 in cash benefits. I was getting really worried that my case got messed up or something. So relieved to read all these comments and know it's a system-wide issue with their upgrades. The EBT customer service is absolutely useless - I was on hold for over 3 hours yesterday and never got through. Going to try the Bank of America ATM and grocery store cash back methods tomorrow. It's so frustrating that they don't give us any warning when they're doing these system changes - we depend on this money for rent and basic needs and shouldn't have to stress about whether we can access our own benefits!

This is so helpful to see I'm not alone! I've been having this exact same problem since Monday - my EBT card works perfectly for buying groceries and gas but every single ATM I've tried just says "transaction declined" even though I have over $600 in cash benefits. I was starting to panic thinking my caseworker made some mistake with my account or that my benefits got suspended for some reason. The customer service line is completely useless - I've called 4 times this week and the longest I waited was 2.5 hours before giving up. Reading all these comments about the system upgrades is such a relief because at least now I know what's going on! I'm definitely going to try the Bank of America ATM tomorrow and the grocery store cash back method. It's really frustrating that they don't send us any kind of notification when they're doing these system changes - we're already stressed enough about money without having to worry about whether we can access our own benefits. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I just wanted to add that if you do decide to apply, don't be discouraged if the process seems overwhelming at first. I was in a similar situation a few years ago - single mom, worried about how it would affect my other benefits. The caseworkers can seem intimidating, but most of them really do want to help you succeed. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep copies of EVERYTHING. Every form you submit, every appointment notice, every communication. The system can be disorganized and having your own records saved me multiple times when documents got "lost" in their system. Also, if you end up doing the education route through WTW like Fatima mentioned, there are some really good programs available. I got my CNA certification through CalWORKs and it led to steady work. The timing might actually be perfect since your son is old enough to be more independent while you're in classes or training. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago when my daughter was 15! Yes, your CalFresh will go down some when you get CalWORKs, but you'll definitely have more total money each month. In my case, I was getting around $500 in food stamps and that dropped to about $320, but I was getting $700+ in cash aid, so it was totally worth it. For the work requirements, they'll work with you to create a plan. Since your son is 16, you do need to do the 30 hours, but like others mentioned, there are options. I did a mix of job search and community college classes. The education route was actually amazing - I got my medical assistant certificate and now have a stable job that pays well enough that I don't need CalWORKs anymore. One tip: when you meet with your WTW worker, be upfront about your goals and what kind of work or training interests you. They have partnerships with local colleges and training programs that can really set you up for success. Don't just accept the first thing they suggest if it doesn't feel like a good fit for you. The application process can be frustrating, but stick with it. Having that financial stability while getting training or education can be life-changing!

I'm also dealing with bullying issues with my 7-year-old and have been hesitant to homeschool because of the P-EBT concern. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that charter school homeschool programs could maintain P-EBT eligibility. The detailed advice about asking specifically about NSLP participation is so valuable. I'm definitely going to start calling charter schools in my area this week using the questions Mohamed shared. It's such a relief to know there are actual solutions that let us protect our kids from bullying while keeping the food benefits. One thing I'm curious about - for those who made the switch to charter homeschool programs, how has the transition been for your kids academically and socially? My son has been so stressed from the bullying that his grades have suffered, so I'm hoping a change might help him focus better on learning. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences. This thread has given me hope that we can make this work!

I'm currently homeschooling my 10-year-old through a charter school program and wanted to share some practical tips that might help with your decision. We made the switch last year due to similar bullying issues, and I'm happy to report that we kept all our P-EBT benefits! A few things that helped us navigate this successfully: 1. I created a spreadsheet of all charter schools in our county and called each one systematically. About 1 in 4 had both homeschool programs AND participated in NSLP. 2. When I found the right program, they walked me through exactly how to withdraw from public school and enroll with them on the same day to avoid any gap in benefits. 3. The academic transition has been amazing - my daughter is learning at her own pace without the stress and distraction of bullying. Her confidence has really improved. 4. For socialization, we joined a homeschool co-op that meets twice a week, and she's also in Girl Scouts and takes art classes at the community center. The charter school we're with (Pacific Coast Academy) requires one in-person meeting per month and some online check-ins, but otherwise gives us complete flexibility. They even provide a curriculum allowance that helps with materials costs. Don't give up hope - there are definitely solutions that will let you protect your kids while keeping the food assistance your family needs. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions about the process!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to express how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm currently navigating CalFresh benefits for the first time and had so many questions about how various income sources are handled, especially child support. The clarity everyone has provided about CalFresh only counting child support you actually receive (rather than court-ordered amounts) is such valuable information that I never would have found in official resources. It's reassuring to know the system recognizes the reality that court orders don't always translate to actual payments. What really impresses me about this community is the willingness to share real experiences and practical advice. The tips about documentation, Income Reporting Thresholds, and the differences between various programs have been educational beyond what any government website could provide. It's clear that many people here have walked similar paths and genuinely want to help others succeed. @f3839b0cf18f thank you for asking such an important question that has helped so many of us! Your proactive approach to gathering documentation shows you're handling this exactly right. To everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of peer support is invaluable when dealing with complex government programs. I'm grateful to have found such a knowledgeable and supportive community!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how comprehensive and supportive this discussion has been! I'm currently in the process of applying for CalFresh benefits and was really worried about how my pending child support case might affect my eligibility. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that CalFresh only counts child support you actually receive rather than what might be court-ordered in the future. This makes perfect sense from a fairness standpoint, but it's not something that's clearly explained in the application materials. The practical advice about documentation has been invaluable - bringing bank statements and actual payment records rather than just court orders is such an important distinction. I'm also grateful to learn about concepts like the Income Reporting Threshold, which I never would have understood without this community's explanations. What really stands out to me is how people here share real-world experiences rather than just quoting policy. Knowing that others have successfully navigated similar situations with inconsistent child support gives me confidence that I can handle this process too. @f3839b0cf18f, your question has helped so many of us - thank you for being brave enough to ask what we were all wondering about! This community truly shows the power of peer support when dealing with complex government programs. I'm grateful to have found such knowledgeable and caring people willing to help others succeed.

Welcome to the community! I see you're getting lots of great advice here. As someone who went through the CalWORKs process a couple years ago, I just wanted to add that it's totally normal to feel overwhelmed at first - the system is complicated but the people here really know what they're talking about. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that you should ask about the Cal-Learn program during your interview if you're interested in going back to school. Since you just lost your job, this might be a good time to consider getting additional training or education. Cal-Learn provides extra financial incentives for CalWORKs recipients who are in high school or college programs. Also, keep track of all your communication with the county office - dates you called, who you spoke with, what they told you. I kept a little notebook and it saved me when there was confusion about my case later on. You're being really proactive by asking questions here, which shows you'll do fine navigating this process! The community here is super supportive so don't hesitate to come back with more questions as they come up.

Hey there! I'm new to this community too and going through the CalWORKs application process right now. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I just wanted to add that when you're gathering documents for your interview, make sure to get recent statements. My caseworker told me they need bank statements from the last 30 days, and pay stubs need to be recent too. I made the mistake of bringing older documents at first and had to reschedule. Also, I found it helpful to organize everything in a folder beforehand with labeled sections. Makes the interview go smoother when you can quickly find what they're asking for. The whole process is definitely stressful, but seeing how supportive this community is gives me hope that we'll all get through it. Hang in there! 💙