I'm in almost exactly the same situation and this whole thread has been such a lifesaver! No diploma, no real work experience, and I was honestly terrified that WTW would just push me into random fast food jobs that don't lead anywhere. Reading everyone's success stories about getting their GED first and then moving into actual career programs is giving me so much hope. The medical assistant and medical coding paths especially sound amazing - real careers with decent pay instead of being stuck in poverty wages forever. I'm definitely calling my worker tomorrow to specifically request GED as my primary WTW activity before my orientation even happens. The advice about getting everything in writing and asking about ALL the supportive services (childcare, transportation, clothing allowance) is so helpful - I had no idea about half of those benefits! It's really encouraging to see that this program can actually work if you advocate for yourself from day one. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've completely changed my perspective on this from something scary to an actual opportunity to build a better future for my family!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm in the exact same situation - no diploma, no work experience, and I was really scared about what WTW would expect from me. But reading everyone's experiences has completely shifted my perspective from fear to actual excitement about the possibilities. I love seeing all the success stories about people getting their GED first and then moving into real career training programs. The medical assistant, medical coding, and CNA paths everyone mentioned sound amazing - actual careers with decent pay and benefits instead of being stuck in minimum wage jobs forever. Based on everything I've read here, I'm definitely going to: - Call my worker ASAP to specifically request GED as my primary WTW activity - Ask about ALL supportive services (childcare, transportation, clothing allowance) - Get everything approved in writing - Be clear that I want sustainable career training, not just any random job placement The tip about connecting with job counselors at the career center (not just your regular worker) is gold too. And knowing that GED programs usually count toward your participation hours makes the whole thing feel so much more manageable. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - both the good and the challenges. You've given me the confidence to advocate for myself and actually see this as an opportunity to build a better future instead of something to be afraid of. I'm calling my worker tomorrow!

Thanks everyone for the replies! I think I'm going to start keeping better records of everything and make sure what we report monthly matches what goes on the tax return. I'll bring copies of our 2024 return to our next redetermination appointment in September just to be safe. Better to be upfront than deal with overpayments later! I really appreciate all the advice.

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and my husband does landscaping work (self-employed). They asked for his tax returns during our very first application but haven't asked since then. However, our worker did tell us that they randomly audit cases and can request documentation going back several years. What really helped us was creating a simple spreadsheet to track his monthly income and expenses. We keep all receipts in a shoebox and update the spreadsheet weekly. This way, when we fill out the monthly reporting forms, we have exact numbers that will match our tax return at the end of the year. Also, don't forget that you can deduct mileage for work-related driving! For handyman work, that's usually driving between job sites. It's 65.5 cents per mile for 2023 taxes. Keep a log of work miles - it can significantly reduce your net income calculation.

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful for your peace of mind - I actually called my county's CalWORKs office last month to ask about this exact scenario before my own recertification. The eligibility supervisor I spoke with was really clear that they see financed work vehicles all the time, especially with the rise in gig economy jobs like DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart. She explained that the policy is specifically designed to NOT penalize people who are trying to work and be self-sufficient. The $10,000 vehicle exemption exists precisely because they understand that reliable transportation is essential for employment, and the equity calculation ensures that people aren't unfairly counted as having assets they can't actually access. What really stuck with me from that conversation was when she said "We want people to be able to work their way toward independence, and that sometimes means they need to make investments in tools for their job - whether that's work clothes, equipment, or a vehicle." Your financed car falls squarely into that category. You're clearly approaching this the right way by being proactive, honest, and seeking advice. Based on everything you've shared, your equity is minimal and you have a legitimate work need. You should feel confident going into your recertification!

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational! I'm in a similar situation with a financed vehicle and was completely confused about how CalWORKs handles this. The equity calculation explanation really cleared things up for me - I had no idea they only count what you actually own versus the full value. What strikes me most is how supportive everyone has been in explaining not just the rules, but practical tips like getting the payoff statement, using the comments section proactively, and keeping detailed records of work expenses. StarSurfer, your situation sounds very manageable based on everyone's advice - with only $400-500 in equity, you're nowhere near the limits. I also appreciate all the mentions of business expense deductions for gig work. I've been doing Grubhub part-time and definitely haven't been tracking expenses as carefully as I should. The reminder about gas, maintenance, phone bills, and even supplies like hand sanitizer is going to help me a lot going forward. This thread is exactly why this community is so valuable - real people sharing real experiences with these complicated systems. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help each other navigate these challenges!

nobody mentined but u can also do online classes at some places. thats what im doing cause i have 3 kids at home. my worker counted my zoom classes + they gave me 10 hrs of study time each week. just make sure the school can track ur attendance somehow or they mite not aprove it

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching your worker, you can also visit the office in person to submit your WTW plan update request. I know it's a pain, but sometimes showing up physically gets faster results than trying to call. Also, once you get education approved, make sure you understand exactly what documentation they need from you each month. My county wants class schedules, attendance records, and grade reports every 30 days. Missing any of these can cause them to stop counting your hours even if you're doing great in school. Good luck with whatever path you choose - education really can open doors!

I'm a new member here but I've been reading through all these responses and wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation. If you haven't already, make sure to ask your caseworker about the "Illness or Incapacity of Child" exemption. This is specifically designed for situations like yours where you're caring for a child with ongoing medical needs like chronic asthma. With proper medical documentation (the CW 61 form others mentioned), you might qualify for a complete temporary exemption rather than just reduced hours. I got a 90-day exemption when my daughter was going through a series of specialist appointments, and it gave me breathing room to get everything organized. Also, keep a detailed log of every medical appointment, pharmacy visit, and day your daughter is too sick for school - this creates a paper trail that shows the ongoing nature of her condition. The caseworkers respond much better when you can show patterns rather than just isolated incidents. Don't give up - there are more protections available than they usually tell you about upfront!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through a WTW sanction situation last year with my twin boys who both have severe allergies. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the documentation and exemptions - definitely pursue all of that! But I also wanted to mention something practical that helped me: when I finally got through to my caseworker (using that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it really does work!), I asked them to put me on their "priority callback list" due to my children's medical emergencies. Some workers will do this if you explain that you have ongoing childcare issues due to medical needs. It meant when I called, I got callbacks within 24 hours instead of waiting weeks. Also, if your county has a CalWORKs ombudsman office, they can be really helpful in navigating disputes with caseworkers who aren't being responsive. They helped me get a supervisor involved when my worker was being unreasonable about my medical exemption request. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and caring for a chronically ill child absolutely qualifies for accommodations in the WTW program. Keep fighting for what you and your daughter need!