Hey everyone! I'm also pretty new to CalWORKs and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I wanted to add something I learned from my neighbor who's been receiving benefits for years - she told me to always check the ATM slot where you insert your card. If it looks loose, feels weird, or sticks out more than it should, don't use that machine. Scammers attach fake card readers right over the real ones. Also, I've been using the Wells Fargo ATMs inside their branches during business hours when possible - there are usually employees and security cameras around which makes me feel safer. One more tip: if you ever feel like someone is watching you enter your PIN or following you after using an ATM, go directly to a safe public place like inside a store or restaurant. Trust your instincts! It's better to be overly cautious with our benefits since we depend on them so much.

Hi Yuki! Welcome to CalWORKs - I know it can feel overwhelming at first, especially with all the security concerns. I've been receiving benefits for about 6 months now and wanted to share what's worked for me. I actually called the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your card) and asked them to walk me through all the security features available. They told me about setting up account alerts, how to temporarily freeze my card if I'm worried about it being compromised, and which ATM networks are safest to use. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was learning I could check my balance online or through the app instead of at ATMs - that way I'm not exposing my card and PIN as often. Also, many counties now offer workshops on EBT safety - mine had one at the local library that covered everything from spotting skimmers to what to do if your benefits get stolen. Might be worth asking your caseworker if your county offers anything similar. The most important thing I learned is to act immediately if something seems off - don't wait and hope it's nothing. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions!

I work as a benefits coordinator and wanted to add some clarification about the income limits that might be helpful. For CalWORKs, they use a "net income" calculation after certain deductions. With VA disability of $3,738 plus dependent benefits, you're likely over the gross limit, but there are some deductions they can apply like work-related expenses if you're employed, certain medical costs, etc. Even if you don't qualify for cash aid, I'd strongly recommend applying because: 1. Stage 1 childcare can cover up to 75% of childcare costs 2. Cal-Learn program if you're pursuing education 3. Mental health services and substance abuse counseling (if needed) 4. Job training programs that might benefit your family long-term The key is being very specific about what services you're interested in when you apply. Don't just ask about "CalWORKs" - ask about "CalWORKs supportive services for families with disabled veterans." The terminology can make a big difference in what information you receive.

I'm also new to this community and wanted to share what we discovered when navigating similar benefits with my husband's disability status. One thing that really helped us was contacting our local Family Resource Center - they often have advocates who specialize in helping veteran families navigate the maze of different benefit programs and income counting rules. What surprised me most was learning that some counties have their own additional programs for veteran families that aren't widely advertised. Our county had an emergency assistance fund specifically for disabled veterans' families that helped us with a security deposit when we had to move due to rent increases. Also, since you mentioned struggling with rent increases - definitely look into your county's Emergency Rental Assistance program if you haven't already. Many of these programs have separate eligibility criteria from CalWORKs and don't count VA disability the same way. We were able to get help with back rent even though we didn't qualify for ongoing cash assistance. The application process can feel overwhelming, but don't let that discourage you from exploring all your options. Every bit of assistance helps when you're trying to make ends meet with a growing family.

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same situation right now! My husband is also a veteran using his GI Bill benefits while we're both in school full-time. We've been getting completely different answers from different county offices about how his BAH affects our CalFresh and CalWORKs applications. This entire thread has been a lifesaver - I had no idea there was a specific federal regulation (7 CFR 273.9(c)(10)) that clearly exempts GI Bill BAH from CalFresh calculations! And learning about the educational expense deductions for CalWORKs is huge - we spend so much on textbooks and supplies that I never realized could be deducted. The strategy about asking specifically for a Veterans Benefits Coordinator makes so much sense. I've been accepting whatever worker they assign us, but it sounds like being proactive about requesting someone who understands veteran benefits could save us a lot of frustration. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and specific resources. It's incredibly encouraging to see so many student veterans who have successfully navigated this confusing system. Going to call our county office tomorrow and implement several of these strategies. Will definitely update on how it goes!

I'm a new community member but also a student veteran currently navigating this exact same confusing situation! My wife and I are both full-time students and I'm using my GI Bill benefits. We've gotten completely different information from three different county workers about how my BAH affects our eligibility for CalFresh and CalWORKs. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea there was a specific federal regulation (7 CFR 273.9(c)(10)) that clearly states GI Bill BAH is exempt from CalFresh income calculations! And learning about the educational expense deductions available for CalWORKs is huge - we spend hundreds every semester on textbooks, lab fees, and supplies that I never realized could be deducted. The advice about specifically requesting a Veterans Benefits Coordinator or asking for a supervisor who handles veteran cases is brilliant. I've been passively accepting whatever worker they assign us, but it makes total sense to be proactive about getting someone who actually understands these complex policies. I'm planning to call our county office tomorrow armed with all this information - printed federal regulation, Certificate of Eligibility, detailed award letter breakdown, and documentation of our educational expenses. Will definitely update this thread on how it goes! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and specific strategies. It's so encouraging to see that other student veterans have successfully navigated this system despite the initial confusion. This community is amazing!

Hi Lourdes! I just went through this exact process a few months ago with my partner and our 18-month-old. I was so nervous about adding him to our case, but it ended up being the right decision. A few things that really helped us: - We scheduled our eligibility interview for early morning when we were both fresh and focused - I made a checklist of all the documents we needed and gathered everything beforehand (like others mentioned - ID, Social Security card, termination letter, etc.) - When we explained his depression during the interview, our worker was actually really understanding and connected us with mental health resources right away The WTW requirements seemed scary at first, but since you're already working 25 hours, he really only needs those 10 hours per week. Our worker helped us find a combination of online job search through CalJOBS and a free OSHA safety certification course that counted toward his hours. Having that structure actually helped his mental health - gave him something productive to focus on. The extra money (we got about $180 more per month) has been a lifesaver for groceries and gas. And honestly, having him officially part of the case meant we had access to more supportive services too. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - once you get through the initial setup, it's pretty manageable. You're already doing great by working and asking all the right questions beforehand!

Hi Lourdes! I just wanted to add something that might be helpful - make sure to ask about transportation assistance during your interview. Since your boyfriend will need to attend WTW activities and potentially job interviews, CalWORKs often provides bus passes or gas vouchers to help with transportation costs. This was a huge help for us when my partner was doing his required activities. Also, I noticed people mentioned the construction training programs - definitely push for these if available! My brother was in a similar situation and got into a free forklift certification program through CalWORKs that led directly to a job. The key is emphasizing his prior construction experience during the interview so they know to look for trade-specific opportunities rather than just generic job search. One more tip: if your boyfriend struggles with the initial WTW appointments due to his depression, don't be afraid to advocate for accommodations. They can sometimes adjust the schedule or format to make it more manageable while he's getting mental health support. The workers are generally pretty understanding if you're upfront about challenges and show you're committed to making the program work. The extra monthly assistance really does make a difference - we used ours primarily for childcare and groceries, which freed up more of my work income for rent and utilities. You're making a smart choice by including him and planning ahead like this!

Glad to see some payments are coming through! For future reference, it might be a good idea to save this information somewhere. These quarterly system updates usually happen around the same time each quarter (end of February, May, August, and November). If you keep track of these dates, you can plan ahead for potential delays. Honestly it's frustrating they don't communicate this better though!

Same thing happened to me! My 15-month-old's diaper allowance didn't come through today either. I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong or missed some paperwork. Really glad to see it's just a system issue and not just me. Going to check my balance again now that some people are saying theirs showed up. This whole quarterly maintenance thing is news to me - wish they would send us some kind of heads up about it!