This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months and just got my first job interview in over a year, I'm saving all of this information. The breakdown of the 10-day reporting rule, IRT thresholds, and especially all the transitional benefits like the Work Bonus and childcare continuation is exactly what I needed to know. What really stands out to me is how proactive everyone has been about understanding their rights and documenting everything. I had no idea that transitional benefits were actually legal entitlements rather than optional help - that's such an important distinction when advocating for yourself with your worker. @Keisha Thompson - congratulations on not just getting the job but handling the reporting process so well! Your updates showing that the system actually worked when you followed the rules gives me a lot of hope. And to everyone else who shared their experiences and tips - from calling at 8am to asking for printed eligibility letters - thank you for creating such a comprehensive guide. If I do get this job, I feel so much more prepared now to report properly and make sure I get all the transitional support I'm entitled to. This community is proof that when we share knowledge and support each other, we can navigate even complex systems successfully!

Welcome to everyone who's just joined this conversation! As someone who's been in the CalWORKs system for about 2 years now, I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to keep a detailed log of ALL your communication with your worker, including dates, times, names, and what was discussed. I use a simple notebook just for CalWORKs stuff and it's saved me so many times when there were discrepancies. Also, don't be discouraged if your first call doesn't go smoothly. I've learned that persistence is key - some workers are more knowledgeable about transitional benefits than others. If you feel like you're not getting the help you need, it's totally okay to ask to speak with a supervisor or request a different worker. The success stories in this thread are so encouraging! It really shows that when you're informed about your rights and proactive about reporting, the system can actually work in your favor. The transitional benefits like the Work Bonus and extended childcare can make a huge difference during that scary transition period when you're not sure if your new income will be enough. @Keisha Thompson - your journey from being confused about reporting to successfully getting everything set up is exactly the kind of outcome we all hope for. Thanks for sharing your process and updates - it gives the rest of us a roadmap to follow!

This entire thread is so eye-opening! I've been on CalWORKs for about 6 months and I'm just now learning about the 6AM restriction from reading everyone's experiences here. My caseworker never mentioned this when we discussed my job search plan, and I'm honestly worried about how this could affect future employment opportunities. What really strikes me is how many people are saying their workers didn't explain this upfront. It seems like such basic information that should be covered during orientation or when creating WTW plans. Like, if they're going to help us find jobs, shouldn't they also explain the barriers we might face in actually getting to those jobs? I'm taking notes on all the solutions people have shared - the Sunday evening withdrawal strategy, asking about transportation vouchers and emergency assistance funds, and getting transportation barriers documented as "good cause" exemptions. It's frustrating that we have to be this proactive about learning what resources are actually available, but I'm grateful for this community sharing real experiences and practical advice. Thank you all for being so open about your struggles and solutions. It's clear we're all dealing with the same lack of communication from our county offices, but at least we can help each other navigate these challenges!

This whole discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm a newcomer to CalWORKs and honestly had no idea about any of these restrictions or available resources. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm shocked that such basic information about the 6AM EBT restriction isn't explained during the initial enrollment process. What really concerns me is how this policy seems to directly conflict with the goal of helping people become self-sufficient. So many entry-level jobs - especially in retail, food service, and healthcare - require early morning starts, but then recipients can't access their cash benefits to actually get to work on time. It's like the system is setting people up to fail. I'm taking detailed notes on all the practical solutions people have shared here - the Sunday evening withdrawal strategy, asking about transportation vouchers and emergency assistance funds, and getting transportation barriers documented as "good cause" exemptions. It's frustrating that we have to be this strategic and proactive just to access basic support, but I'm grateful this community exists to share real experiences and solutions. The fact that so many experienced recipients are learning about available resources for the first time through this thread really highlights the communication gap between county offices and the people they're supposed to serve. We shouldn't have to rely on community forums to learn about policies that directly affect our ability to work and become independent. Thanks to everyone for being so open about sharing both struggles and practical workarounds. This is exactly the kind of peer support that makes a real difference when the official system falls short!

Klaus, I completely understand your frustration with BenefitsCal - it took me forever to figure out too when I first started! Here's what worked for me: Instead of struggling with the website, I called the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677. Yes, there's a wait (usually 20-30 minutes), but they can tell you your exact payment schedule right over the phone. Have your EBT card ready when you call. Also, definitely check your original CalWORKs approval letter/paperwork - your payment date should be listed in there somewhere. CalWORKs payments typically come on the same day each month based on your case number. For your rent situation, I'd suggest talking to your landlord now rather than waiting. Most landlords understand that government benefits come on specific dates, and it's better to communicate early than stress in silence. One more tip - once you know your payment date, mark it on a calendar along with all your bills so you can see your whole month laid out. It really helped reduce my budgeting anxiety! The Connect EBT app that others mentioned is also way easier than the website if you want to check your balance quickly. Don't feel bad about the confusion - this system is definitely not designed with user-friendliness in mind, but it gets much easier once you know your routine!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got approved for CalWORKs a couple weeks ago and I've been so confused about the payment schedule too. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about half of these resources everyone is mentioning. I tried BenefitsCal multiple times and kept getting frustrated with how confusing it is. But after reading everyone's suggestions, I downloaded the Connect EBT app last night and wow - it's SO much easier to navigate than the website! I can actually see my balance clearly without getting lost in a maze of menus. Also want to echo what others said about calling the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677. I called this morning after reading the suggestions here and waited about 25 minutes, but they were able to tell me my exact payment date (it's the 5th of every month). Having that concrete information has relieved so much stress about budgeting! Klaus, I totally understand the anxiety about rent timing - I'm dealing with the same thing. But like others suggested, it's probably worth having an honest conversation with your landlord about when your payment comes in. Most people understand that government benefits have set schedules. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips in this thread! As someone new to the system, it's been way more helpful than trying to figure everything out alone.

This thread has been so educational! I've been on CalWORKs for about 4 months and honestly had no idea there were so many reasons benefits could suddenly change without clear notice. Reading about the age-up calculations, system errors, income recalculations, and missing notices is both helpful and alarming. I'm definitely going to start checking my BenefitsCal account monthly and keep better documentation of everything like several of you suggested. It's really concerning that proper notification seems to be such a widespread issue - we shouldn't have to play detective to figure out why our benefits changed! The tips about Claimyr and calling right when offices open are super valuable. Thank you everyone for being so generous with sharing your experiences and solutions - this kind of community support makes navigating this confusing system so much more manageable.

This thread is exactly what I needed to see today! I just noticed my CalWORKs payment was reduced by $134 this month and I've been panicking about it. Reading everyone's experiences has really helped me understand that this happens more often than I thought and there are actual steps I can take to figure out what's going on. I'm going to check my BenefitsCal account right away and then try the early morning calling strategy or that Claimyr service if needed. It's so frustrating that they don't automatically send clear explanations when they make changes to our benefits - we're already dealing with enough stress without having to chase down basic information about our own cases! Thank you all for sharing your stories and solutions. I'll definitely update once I find out what caused my reduction in case it helps others going through the same thing.

Sending you so much support during this difficult time! As someone who works with families navigating public benefits, I want to emphasize that you should absolutely apply - you clearly meet the eligibility criteria. A few additional tips that might help: - When you call for the expedited interview, mention that you have a child under 6 and are experiencing homelessness. This puts you in priority status. - If possible, try calling the county office first thing in the morning (8-9am) when phone lines are less busy. - Keep a journal of your applications, calls, and interactions - dates, times, worker names if you get them. This helps if you need to escalate later. - Ask about emergency aid while your application is processing - some counties have small emergency funds for immediate needs like diapers/formula. You're being a strong advocate for your daughter by seeking help when you need it. That takes courage, and you should be proud of taking this step. Wishing you both stability and security soon! 💙

I just wanted to add that if you run into any roadblocks with your application, don't give up! Sometimes it helps to visit the office in person if phone calls aren't working. Bring your daughter with you if you can - workers often respond more urgently when they see the actual child who needs help. Also, once you get approved, look into local food banks and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children program) if you haven't already. WIC specifically helps with formula, baby food, and other essentials for kids under 5. Many food banks also have diaper programs. One more thing - if your county has a Family Resource Center or similar community organization, they often have advocates who can help you navigate the system and make sure you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to. Some even have emergency assistance programs while you're waiting for CalWORKs approval. You're doing everything right by reaching out and getting informed before applying. Your little girl is lucky to have such a determined mom fighting for her! 🙏