I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. You're handling an incredibly difficult situation with such care and responsibility. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that what you're experiencing is unfortunately very common due to how the automated benefit systems work. As someone new to this community, I wanted to add that you might also want to ask the county office if they can provide you with a timeline for when the case will be fully processed in their system. Sometimes knowing approximately how long these administrative changes take can help reduce anxiety during an already stressful time. You've done everything right by reporting immediately and not touching the benefits. The fact that so many people here have shared similar experiences shows this really is just a system timing issue. Don't let this add unnecessary worry to everything else you're dealing with right now. The county workers will take care of everything once you bring in that death certificate and EBT card. Take care of yourself during this difficult time. You're being incredibly thoughtful about doing the right thing when you have so much else on your mind.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and you're handling everything exactly right. This situation is unfortunately very common - I've seen it happen multiple times in our family. When my uncle passed, his CalFresh benefits kept loading for over a month after we reported his death. The EBT system runs on automated schedules that don't immediately sync with case changes, even when deaths are reported promptly like you did. The key things you've already done perfectly: reported the death immediately and haven't touched the benefits. When you go to the county office with the death certificate, bring the EBT card with you. They'll close the case retroactively to your mom's date of death and you won't owe anything back since this is clearly a system timing issue, not any wrongdoing on your part. I'd suggest asking for a receipt when you turn in the card and getting written confirmation that you properly reported everything. The county workers see this scenario all the time and understand it's just how the system works. Don't stress about this on top of everything else you're dealing with. You're being incredibly responsible during an already overwhelming time.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help your friend feel more prepared when she makes that call to report the settlement. When I had to report a large resource change last year, I actually wrote down all my key information beforehand so I wouldn't forget anything important during the call. Here's what I recommend she have ready: - Her case number and personal info - The exact amount of the settlement ($15,000) - The date she received/will receive the money - What the settlement was for (car accident) - A rough plan of how she intends to spend it (car repairs, bills, etc.) One thing that really helped me was asking the caseworker to confirm they received my report and getting a reference number or date for the call. That way I had proof that I reported it within the 10-day window if any questions came up later. Also, your friend should know that even though this feels overwhelming right now, once she gets through the initial reporting and any temporary benefit suspension, things will get back to normal. The hardest part is just making that first call and being honest about the situation. She's really lucky to have someone like you helping her research this ahead of time. Going in prepared will make all the difference in how smoothly this process goes!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that really helped me when I was in a similar situation with a settlement payment. One thing I learned that hasn't been mentioned yet is that your friend should ask her caseworker about getting a written confirmation of her report, not just verbal confirmation over the phone. When I reported my settlement, I asked the caseworker to send me a letter or email confirming they received my report and what the next steps would be. This was incredibly helpful because it gave me something in writing that showed exactly what I reported and when, plus it outlined the county's plan for handling my case. Also, if your friend is feeling overwhelmed about making the call, she might want to consider having someone she trusts sit with her during the call for moral support. Obviously they can't speak for her, but just having someone there can make the conversation feel less intimidating. I had my sister sit with me when I made my report call, and it really helped keep me calm and focused. One more thing - if the first caseworker she reaches seems rushed or unclear about the process, it's totally okay for her to ask to speak with a supervisor or call back to get a different worker. She deserves clear information about how this will affect her benefits and what her options are. Your friend is going to get through this just fine. The fact that she's being proactive about reporting it shows she's handling this exactly the right way!

Just wanted to add that your mom should also ask about emergency aid when she applies! Since she's caring for the kids due to your sister's sudden incarceration, she might qualify for immediate temporary assistance while her regular CalWORKs application is being processed. This can help with urgent needs like food, utilities, or clothing for the kids. Also, when she goes to her interview, she should bring any documentation about your sister's incarceration if she has it (like court papers or jail records). This will help establish the timeline and circumstances that led to her taking care of the children. One more tip - if your county has long wait times for interviews, she can ask about doing a phone interview instead of in-person. Many counties offer this option now and it can be much more convenient, especially when you're caring for young kids. Your mom sounds like she's doing an amazing thing taking care of her grandchildren during this difficult time. The system is designed to help families like yours!

I just wanted to share some encouragement - your mom is in a really good position to get approved! Home ownership is absolutely not a barrier for CalWORKs, and grandparents caring for grandchildren is exactly the type of situation the program is designed to support. A few practical tips for the application process: - Apply online at GetCalFresh.org or YourBenefitsNow.org to avoid long office waits - Make copies of all documents before submitting them - Keep a record of when she submits the application - CalWORKs has 30 days to process it - If approved, benefits are retroactive to the application date Also, don't forget about other programs she might qualify for: - CalFresh (food stamps) - separate application but can be done at the same time - Medi-Cal for the kids if they don't already have it - WIC if either child is under 5 (which the 4-year-old is) - Utilities assistance through LIHEAP Your mom is doing something incredible taking in those kids during such a difficult time. The community resources are there to help families exactly like yours navigate these challenges. Wishing you all the best with the application process!

This is such an important thread for everyone to read! I went through this exact same confusion when I first started working while on CalWORKs. The IRT concept is honestly one of the most misunderstood parts of the whole system. What helped me was thinking of it this way: the IRT is like a "reporting schedule" threshold, not a "benefit protection" threshold. If you earn under your IRT, you get to wait until your regular SAR7 to report it instead of calling within 10 days. But once you DO report it (whether immediately or on your SAR7), they're going to adjust your benefits regardless. @Emily Parker - definitely get that step-by-step calculation breakdown when you request your hearing. I caught an error in mine where they forgot to apply the $450 earnings disregard and I got several months of backpay. Even if the reduction ends up being correct, at least you'll have peace of mind knowing exactly how they calculated it. One more tip - keep detailed records of your IHSS hours and payments. Sometimes there are delays in reporting between IHSS and the county, which can cause calculation errors on your CalWORKs case. Having your own documentation helps when these issues come up.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As someone who recently went through a similar experience, I completely understand your confusion about the IRT rules. The explanation everyone gave about IRT being a "reporting schedule threshold" rather than a "benefit protection threshold" is spot on. I made the same assumption you did initially - that staying under the IRT meant my benefits would remain stable. It's really misleading how this gets communicated (or not communicated) during the application process. Since you're working IHSS, make sure when you request that hearing that you specifically ask about any special income disregards or exemptions that might apply to caregiving income. I've heard there can be additional protections for IHSS providers that don't always get applied correctly. Also, don't feel discouraged about working even though your cash aid decreased. You're gaining valuable work experience in healthcare/caregiving, which could lead to better opportunities down the road. Plus, you should still have your Medi-Cal coverage, and you might qualify for other working family benefits like childcare assistance or transportation help that weren't available when you weren't working. Hang in there - the transition period is always the hardest part, but you're taking the right steps by asking questions and advocating for yourself!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - I know exactly how overwhelming it feels when you have kids depending on that money! I went through a similar situation last year when my case got closed for missing income verification during redetermination. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. Contact your local food bank or 211 for emergency assistance - they often have programs specifically for families waiting on benefit approvals 2. Reach out to your landlord ASAP to explain the situation - many are understanding if you communicate early and can show you've reapplied 3. Check if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs running - some have separate funding for urgent situations like this Also, when you call tomorrow at 8am, ask specifically about "expedited processing for reapplication" - use those exact words. Sometimes workers don't automatically consider faster processing unless you specifically request it. The waiting is terrible but remember that once approved, you'll get backpay from your application date. You're doing everything right by staying on top of it. Hang in there! 🙏

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My case got closed 2 weeks ago because I was late submitting my quarterly report (life got crazy with my youngest getting sick and I completely spaced on the deadline). I reapplied immediately but I'm in that awful waiting period where you don't know when the money will come through. One thing that's helped me is keeping a detailed log of every call I make - date, time, who I spoke with, what they told me. It's helped me track progress and also gives me something to reference when I call back. The workers seem to appreciate when you're organized about it too. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. I learned that lesson the hard way during my first application years ago when they somehow "lost" my documents and I had to resubmit everything. The stress is real when you have kids counting on you. Sending you strength while you navigate this bureaucratic nightmare! Keep us updated on how your call goes tomorrow.