Marcus, I'm sending you and your daughter so much support right now. Being homeless with a child is incredibly difficult, and dealing with confusing government systems on top of that is exhausting. I wanted to mention something that might help - many counties have walk-in advocacy services or legal aid organizations that can go with you to your CalWORKs appointment or help you navigate the appeals process. Look up "[your county name] legal aid society" or "homeless services coalition" - they often have advocates who know exactly which questions to ask and can make sure the workers follow proper procedures. Also, while you're gathering all this great advice for tomorrow's visit, don't forget to take care of yourself and your daughter's immediate needs. Some local churches, community centers, or food banks might be able to provide emergency assistance while you're getting the CalWORKs situation sorted out. You're being such a strong advocate for your family, and it's clear how much you love your daughter. The system is broken in so many ways, but you're doing everything right by not giving up and seeking help. Tomorrow is going to go better - you're going in prepared this time with all the right questions to ask.

Maria, I'm so glad you found the legal aid resources! Having an advocate with you can really change the whole dynamic of these appointments. They know exactly what questions to ask and won't let the workers brush you off or deny services you're entitled to. One more thing I wanted to add - if the legal aid office can't send someone with you immediately, ask them for a "know your rights" sheet or checklist specific to CalWORKs homeless assistance. Sometimes just having that paperwork in your hand shows the county workers that you're informed about your rights and they tend to be more thorough in their explanations. Also, when you're at the food pantry tomorrow morning, ask if they have any social workers or case managers on site. Many food pantries now have staff who can help connect people to housing resources and benefits. They might know about local programs that the county office doesn't always mention. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your daughter under incredibly difficult circumstances. The fact that you've taken all this advice, done your research, and are going in tomorrow with a plan shows what a strong parent you are. I have a really good feeling that tomorrow is going to be different - you're prepared now and you know what to ask for. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to CalWORKs and this whole conversation has been super educational for me. I haven't had to deal with reporting a car purchase yet, but reading through all your experiences is really helpful for when I eventually need to buy a replacement vehicle. One thing that really stands out to me is how much the experiences vary - some people had really smooth interactions with their workers, while others ran into problems or had to deal with long hold times. It seems like being prepared with all your documents and being proactive about reporting changes is really key. @Aaliyah Jackson - your situation sounds really straightforward based on what everyone is saying. The fact that you're asking these questions ahead of time shows you're being responsible about following the rules. Hope your call goes smoothly tomorrow! Also wanted to say thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here. As someone still learning how all this works, it's incredibly valuable to hear real stories from people who've actually been through these situations.

Hey Aaliyah! I'm also navigating CalWORKs for the first time and just wanted to say how helpful this whole thread has been. Your question about reporting the car purchase is exactly the kind of thing I would worry about too - it's scary when you're not sure what you're supposed to report and when. From everything everyone has shared, it sounds like you're totally in the clear with your car purchase. The fact that you're being proactive about calling your worker shows you're doing everything right. I love that you got a reliable Toyota - having dependable transportation is so important when you're trying to build stability. One thing I noticed from reading everyone's experiences is that the workers seem to appreciate when people call to report changes right away rather than waiting. It shows you're trying to follow the rules, which has to count for something. Plus your equity amount is so low compared to the $10,000 limit that it shouldn't be an issue at all. Thanks for asking this question and to everyone who shared their experiences - I'm definitely saving this thread for when I need to navigate something similar!

Congrats on getting the job at Target! That's a big step. Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of any work-related expenses like uniforms, transportation, or meals during your shifts. Some of these might be deductible from your income when they calculate your benefits. Also, if you end up working more hours some weeks (like during holidays when retail gets busy), just keep an eye on that monthly total to make sure you don't accidentally go over your IRT. It's smart that you're being proactive about understanding the rules - that'll save you headaches later!

Hey! I'm also new to working while on CalWORKs and this thread has been super helpful. Just wanted to add that when I started my job, my worker told me to keep ALL my paystubs and any documentation about hours worked - they want to see everything during your next eligibility review. Also, if you have any gaps in employment or your hours vary a lot week to week (which sounds like might happen with your 22-25 hour range), make sure to explain that when you report. They prefer consistent reporting over surprises. Good luck with the Target job - retail can be tough but the experience is valuable!

Great to hear you got the forms printed and are making progress! Just a heads up - when you submit your SAWS 2 PLUS, make sure you include verification for any bank accounts you have, even if the balance is low. They'll want to see statements for the month you're reporting. Also, if you have any changes to your household composition or living situation since your last recert, make sure to note that clearly on the forms. The county workers are really strict about cross-referencing everything between the SAR 7 and SAWS 2 PLUS, so consistency is key. You're doing great getting this done early instead of waiting until the last minute!

If you're still having trouble getting through to your caseworker by phone, try calling right when they open in the morning - usually 8 AM. I've found that's when you're most likely to get through before the phone lines get jammed. Also, some counties have walk-in hours for urgent issues like recertification deadlines. You might want to check your county's website to see if they offer that option. It sounds like you're on the right track with downloading and filling out the forms though! Just make sure to submit them with plenty of time before your deadline in case there are any issues.

Hey Lauren! Welcome to the community and congratulations on your new job - that's such a huge accomplishment! I'm also fairly new to CalWORKs myself and this thread has been incredibly educational for me too. Everyone here has given you such thorough advice about the childcare payment process. Just wanted to add one small thing I learned recently - when you call to follow up on anything, try calling right when they open at 8am or right after lunch around 1pm. Those seem to be the times when wait times are shortest. Also, if your mom has any questions once she starts getting the payments, this community is such a great resource for troubleshooting issues that come up. The support here is amazing! Best of luck with your job starting Monday - you're so well-prepared now thanks to everyone's help. Your baby is lucky to have such a caring mom and grandma looking out for them!

Hey Lauren! Welcome to the community and congratulations on your new job - that's such an amazing accomplishment! I'm also relatively new to navigating CalWORKs benefits, and this thread has been incredibly helpful for me to read through as well. Everyone here has provided such detailed, practical advice about the childcare payment process. I just wanted to add one thing I learned recently that might help - make sure you ask your worker about getting text or email notifications for when payments are processed. Some counties offer this and it can really help with peace of mind knowing when your mom's payment has gone through each month. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to this community if any questions come up once you get started - everyone here is so knowledgeable and willing to help troubleshoot issues. Best of luck with your job starting Monday! You're so well-prepared thanks to all the amazing advice here, and it sounds like your baby will be in wonderful hands with grandma. This community really shows how much easier these programs become when we support each other!