Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through several recertifications across different counties - the experiences shared here really highlight how much variation there can be in the process! I've lived in both Riverside and Orange County while on CalWORKs, and I noticed that each county (and sometimes even individual workers) can have slightly different approaches to verification. In Riverside, my worker was very by-the-book and asked for bank statements during one recertification when I had reported a small inheritance. In Orange County, my current worker tends to be more flexible and usually only asks for additional documentation if something seems inconsistent with previous reports. One thing I've learned is that building a good relationship with your worker really helps. When I switched counties, I made sure to introduce myself properly at my first appointment and asked about any specific documentation preferences they had. It's made subsequent recertifications much smoother because we both know what to expect. For anyone still feeling nervous about the process - remember that CalWORKs workers see hundreds of cases, and they're usually pretty good at distinguishing between genuine mistakes or unusual circumstances versus intentional non-compliance. As long as you're making a good faith effort to report accurately and provide requested documentation, most workers will work with you to resolve any questions that come up.

This entire thread has been so educational! I'm scheduled for my first CalWORKs recertification in a few weeks and was really anxious about what documents they might ask for. Reading everyone's experiences has helped me understand that the bank statement requests aren't automatic for everyone - it really depends on your specific situation and any changes you've reported. I especially appreciate the advice about keeping records of unusual deposits and having explanations ready. I received some money from selling old furniture last month and was worried about how to explain that, but now I know I should just be upfront about it and keep any documentation (like the Facebook Marketplace messages) that shows it was a legitimate one-time sale. It's also reassuring to know that different counties handle things differently, so I shouldn't assume my experience will be exactly like someone else's. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about asking my worker about their specific documentation preferences when I go in. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a great resource for navigating the system!

One more tip - when you reapply, you can actually request a reasonable accommodation based on your disability. This means they can give you extra time to submit documents, help you fill out forms, or even do a phone interview instead of requiring you to come in person if your back injury makes it difficult to travel. Just be sure to mention your need for accommodation when you apply.

I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago! Definitely reapply - don't waste time with an appeal. Since your income changed due to becoming disabled, that's a completely new circumstance and appeals won't help you here. When you reapply, make sure to bring your SDI award letter as proof of your new income level. Also ask about expedited processing since you have a young child and are dealing with a disability. In my county they processed my reapplication in about 10 days once I had all the right paperwork. Pro tip: Since you're now on disability, you'll likely qualify for the disability exemption from work requirements, which means you won't have to do job search or training activities while you're recovering. This is a huge relief when you're already dealing with health issues! Good luck - you've got this! Your situation is exactly what these programs are designed to help with.

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I just got approved for CalWORKs a few days ago and have my first interview scheduled for next week. Reading about @Tasia's experience with the system outage and seeing how supportive everyone was really helps ease my anxiety about the whole process. I had no idea that technical issues on their end could cause missed calls - I probably would have panicked just like you did! All the advice about documenting everything, taking screenshots, and keeping detailed logs is so helpful. I'm definitely going to start implementing these strategies right from my first interaction. It's also really reassuring to know that workers are usually understanding when technical problems happen on their end. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and advice - this community is such an amazing resource for people like me who are just starting this journey!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me! I just submitted my CalWORKs application yesterday and honestly had no idea that system outages could cause missed interview calls like this. @Tasia I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been - waiting by the phone and then panicking when they didn't call! Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been like getting a crash course in how to navigate the system properly. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything from day one - taking screenshots, keeping detailed logs with dates and times, and getting worker ID numbers. The tip about that callback service is interesting too, though I hope I won't need it! It's so reassuring to know that when technical issues happen on their end, the workers are usually understanding about it. Thank you for sharing your story and the update - it really helps those of us just starting out know what to expect and how to be prepared. This community is amazing for supporting each other through these challenges!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I had the exact same confusion when I started CalWORKs! The whole process can be really overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with so much. Just to add to what everyone else has explained so well - I found it helpful to think of it this way: CalWORKs is the government's promise to help families in need, regardless of what individual parents do or don't do. Your benefits are guaranteed based on your family's eligibility, not on whether they can collect from your daughter's father. The child support cooperation is completely separate - it's just the state's way of trying to recover some of the money they're spending on CalWORKs benefits by collecting from parents who should be contributing. But whether they succeed or fail at that doesn't affect your monthly payment at all. I've been on the program for about 8 months now, and my benefits have been exactly the same every month even though I don't think they've collected anything from my child's father yet. The security of knowing that your CalWORKs payment will come regardless is such a relief when you're trying to plan and budget for your family. Don't ever feel embarrassed about asking these questions - the system is confusing and they really should explain it better during the application process!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said and add that you're definitely not alone in feeling confused about this! When I first applied for CalWORKs about 6 months ago, I had almost identical questions and worries. What really helped me was learning that the cooperation requirement is more about documentation than results. When you signed those papers, you were basically agreeing to provide information and participate in the process IF they need you to - like answering questions about your daughter's father, providing any new contact info you might get, or participating in court proceedings if it comes to that. But you're not responsible for making sure they actually find him or collect money. Your CalWORKs benefits are completely separate and secure. Think of it like this: the government decided your family qualifies for assistance based on your income and situation, so they're going to provide that assistance regardless. The child support stuff is just them trying to get reimbursed if possible, but it doesn't change what you're entitled to receive. I was so stressed about this for months until I finally understood that distinction. Now I just focus on taking care of my family and know that my monthly benefits will be there regardless of what happens with the child support case. Don't hesitate to ask your caseworker for clarification if you need it - these are totally reasonable questions that lots of parents have!

I just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly supportive thread! I went through this exact same panic about 4 months ago when I started a new job that put me over my IRT by around $190. Like so many others here, I was absolutely convinced my CalFresh would get cut off immediately when I reported. But here's what actually happened: - Reported on day 9 (I was also procrastinating out of fear!) - The worker explained that IRT just means "time to review your case," not "you're automatically disqualified" - I continued getting my full benefits for about 5 weeks while they processed everything - My benefits were reduced by only $43/month instead of being eliminated completely because they factored in my rent and utility allowances What really helped me was understanding that they're looking at your ongoing financial picture, not just punishing you for one higher paycheck. Since you mentioned this is a new job, they'll consider whether this income level will continue consistently. The timeline everyone has shared here is so consistent - you'll keep your benefits while they review (usually 4-6 weeks), and any changes come with proper notice. Don't let fear delay your reporting like I almost did! Your EBT will keep working normally throughout the review process. This community has been such a lifesaver for understanding how these processes really work versus the scary assumptions we make. You've got this!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm actually going through the exact same situation right now - just started a new job and my first paycheck put me over my IRT by about $200. I was having a complete meltdown thinking my CalFresh would get cut off immediately when I reported it. Reading everyone's real experiences has been such a relief! The consistent message seems to be: - Report within 10 days (I'm on day 6 now) - Benefits continue for 4-6 weeks while they review - Going over IRT triggers a review, not automatic disqualification - They look at your total financial picture including rent/utilities - Many people end up with reduced benefits rather than losing everything What really helped me understand this was how several people explained that IRT is just a "reporting threshold" - not the actual eligibility limit. I had no idea there was a difference! I was literally losing sleep over this, but now I feel confident enough to call tomorrow and report. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you're helping so many people understand that this is a normal process, not a crisis. This community is amazing for providing real-world guidance that you just can't get from official websites!