I'm new to CalWORKs and just went through something similar last month! When I reported going over my IRT, I was terrified about overpayments too. My caseworker explained that as long as you report timely (which you did!), you're protected from overpayment liability in most cases. The key thing is that going over your IRT doesn't automatically mean you lose benefits - it just triggers a review. With your income level and family size, you'll likely just see a reduction in your grant amount rather than complete termination. One thing I learned is to ask your caseworker specifically about the "earned income disregard" calculations. They don't count all of your earned income, which might keep you eligible even with the new job. Also, if you're still waiting to get through by phone, try sending a secure message through your BenefitsCal account if your county has that feature enabled - sometimes that gets a faster response than calling. You're doing everything right by reporting promptly and being proactive about understanding the process!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just started a new job two weeks ago and went over my IRT. The stress about potential overpayments is real - I've been losing sleep over it. What's helped me is creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything: when I reported, confirmation numbers, dates I tried calling, etc. I also opened a separate savings account and I'm putting any benefits I receive there until I get clarity on my eligibility status. That way if there is an overpayment, I have the money set aside. From everything I'm reading in this thread, it sounds like we might both be overthinking this. The earned income disregards seem like they could really help keep us eligible. Still nerve-wracking though! Let me know what you find out when you talk to your caseworker - I'm in the same boat waiting for answers.

side note but does anyone else think its RIDICULOUS that they expect us to know all these complicated rules?? like what even is an IRT really and why do they make it so confusing with the gross vs net stuff? i swear they make it complicated on purpose so people mess up and they can cut people off

This is such a common confusion! I went through the exact same thing when I first started working. The key thing to remember is that the IRT is ALWAYS compared to your gross income (before taxes and deductions). Even though it feels unfair since that's not what you actually take home, that's how the system works. I'd recommend calling your worker to report the change ASAP since you're over the gross threshold - waiting could definitely lead to overpayment issues. And don't worry too much about losing all your benefits! With the earned income disregards, you'll likely still qualify for some assistance even if your gross income exceeds the IRT. Better to report now and keep things above board than risk owing money back later.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who works with housing programs, I wanted to add one more resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - the CalWORKs Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP). Even though it's primarily for people with disabilities, they sometimes assist families with children who are experiencing housing instability due to family conflict situations. Also, when you're preparing your rental applications, consider creating a "housing portfolio" that includes not just your income verification but also letters of recommendation from your child's daycare/school, your employer, and even neighbors who can vouch for you being responsible and quiet tenants. This extra documentation can really help differentiate your application from others. One thing I always tell families in your situation: don't feel guilty about prioritizing your children's emotional wellbeing. Living in a tense environment affects kids in ways we don't always immediately see - sleep issues, behavioral changes, anxiety. You're being an excellent parent by recognizing that the current living situation isn't sustainable and taking action to change it. The fact that you're already working part-time while managing CalWORKs shows you're responsible and motivated. Many landlords will appreciate that combination of stability. Keep pushing forward - your kids will thank you for giving them a peaceful home where they can thrive! 💪

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation, but you're definitely not alone! I was in a very similar position two years ago with my twin boys (age 4 at the time) living at my aunt's house. The constant tension about parenting decisions was exhausting for everyone. Here's what I learned that might help you: Start by calling your CalWORKs worker and specifically asking about ALL housing assistance programs available - don't just accept "we don't have anything" as an answer. Ask about Housing Support Program, Diversion Services, TANF Emergency Aid, and the Family Stabilization Program. I had to call three different times before I got connected to someone who actually knew about these programs. Also, look into your county's Continuum of Care program - they often have rapid rehousing assistance that can help with deposits and short-term rental assistance even if you're not technically homeless. Being in an unstable family situation often qualifies. One practical tip: when apartment hunting, bring a folder with all your documentation (CalWORKs verification letter, pay stubs, references) and a brief letter explaining your situation and why you'd be a great tenant. This shows landlords you're organized and serious. The stress you're feeling is completely valid - kids pick up on family tension way more than we realize. Moving out isn't selfish, it's protecting your children's emotional wellbeing. You've got this, mama! Keep us updated on how the housing search goes. 💙

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm pretty new to having CalWORKs benefits and was planning a trip to visit my sister in Oregon next month. I had absolutely no idea about these out-of-state ATM restrictions - I definitely would have been one of those people standing at a Bank of America ATM getting frustrated when it didn't work! The cash back strategy makes so much sense now that everyone's explained it. I'm going to map out some Walmart and Target locations near where I'll be staying so I have backup options. The tip about testing your card early in the trip is really smart too - I would have definitely waited until I was desperate for cash and then panicked. It's honestly pretty disappointing that none of this information is explained when you first get your benefits. They really should include a simple travel guide or at least mention these restrictions during the initial process. This community discussion has been way more helpful than any official paperwork I've received. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - it's made me feel so much more prepared for traveling with my EBT card!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - I'm visiting my grandmother in Michigan for a few weeks and ran into the same ATM problems. I tried three different bank ATMs yesterday and kept getting error messages, which was really stressful since I needed cash for transportation. After reading everyone's advice here, I went to a Meijer grocery store today and was able to get cash back with no issues! The cashier was super helpful and even explained that they see this situation pretty often with out-of-state EBT cards. I was able to get $150 in cash back which should last me for several days. One thing I'll add that might help others - I found that some of the smaller, local grocery stores were actually more accommodating than I expected. There's a family-owned market near my grandmother's house where the owner said he's helped several people with out-of-state EBT cards over the years. Sometimes these smaller places are more flexible and understanding. It's really frustrating that this information isn't provided upfront when you get your benefits, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real experiences. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion - you've made my trip so much less stressful!

Hey, I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help your friend. I went through a similar situation last year when my county started really cracking down on immunization compliance. One thing I learned is that the quality of the Good Cause explanation really matters. Like CosmicVoyager mentioned, just writing "I don't believe in immunizations" probably won't be enough. When I helped my neighbor with her form, we made sure to be very specific about her religious beliefs and how they specifically conflicted with vaccination requirements. Also, even if the initial Good Cause claim gets denied, don't panic! The appeal process (State Hearing) gives you another chance to present your case with better documentation. I'd recommend your friend start gathering supporting documents now - letters from religious leaders, documentation of specific religious teachings, etc. - just in case she needs them for an appeal. The most important thing is to stay in communication with her worker and respond to any requests for additional information quickly. Counties sometimes deny claims just because people don't provide enough detail, not necessarily because the reason itself is invalid. Hope this helps and that everything works out for your friend!

I'm pretty new to navigating CalWORKs myself, but I wanted to share what I learned from my case worker about the timeline for appeals since someone just asked about it. When you request a State Hearing, they're supposed to schedule it within 90 days, but it's usually much faster - like 30-45 days in most counties. The good news is that if you request the hearing before your benefits get reduced, you can ask for "aid continuing" which means they keep paying your full amount while the appeal is pending. You have to specifically ask for this though - it's not automatic. One thing that really helped me when I was dealing with a different CalWORKs issue was keeping a simple log of every phone call and interaction. I just wrote down the date, who I talked to, and what they said. It sounds like overkill but it actually saved me when there was confusion about what documents I had already submitted. Also wanted to mention that some counties have CalWORKs advocates or legal aid services that can help with appeals for free. It might be worth looking into if your friend's situation gets more complicated. The whole system can be really overwhelming when you're dealing with it alone!