I'm really sorry for your loss. Going through this while you're still grieving must be incredibly overwhelming. I wanted to add one more resource that might help - many counties have Community Action Agencies or similar nonprofits that offer free assistance with benefit applications. They're often more patient than the county workers and can walk you through everything step by step. Some even have advocates who can attend your interview with you if you're feeling overwhelmed by the process. Also, if you're still employed, make sure to ask about the Earned Income Disregard when they calculate your CalFresh benefits. Even though the survivor benefits will count as income, if you have earnings from work, they disregard a portion of those earnings which could help you still qualify. One thing I learned the hard way - if you get approved for CalFresh but the amount is very small (like $20-50/month), don't assume it's not worth it. Even a small CalFresh benefit can qualify your daughter for free school meals automatically, which saves money and eliminates the separate application process for school meals. You're being such a good advocate for your family by asking all these questions upfront. That preparation is going to serve you well in the application process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I can imagine how frustrating it must be to navigate these systems during an already difficult time. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should ask specifically about the "Standard Utility Allowance" when you apply for CalFresh. If you're paying for heating or cooling costs (even if utilities are included in your rent), you might be able to claim this deduction which can significantly reduce your countable income. Many applicants don't know to ask about this, but it can make the difference between qualifying and not qualifying. Also, when you do your CalFresh interview, make sure to mention ALL of your housing-related expenses - rent/mortgage, property taxes if you own, homeowner's/renter's insurance, and utilities. The shelter deduction can be substantial if your housing costs are high relative to your income. I know the survivor benefits counting as income feels particularly unfair since that money was meant to replace your daughter's father's financial support, not supplement your household's food budget. Unfortunately the system doesn't distinguish between the purpose of different income sources, but don't let that discourage you from applying. Between the various deductions available, you might still qualify for some assistance. Good luck with your application - you're asking all the right questions and clearly advocating well for your family during a really tough time.

Update: I tried that Claimyr service and IT WORKED!!! Got through to a person in 20 minutes after trying for a week on my own. Turns out they needed verification of my new job's pay stubs because the format looks different from my old ones. They're giving me 10 days to submit them and said my benefits won't stop if I get them in. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for the help!

I'm so glad you got through and figured it out! This whole thread is such a perfect example of how broken the communication system is. Like seriously, how hard would it be for them to just include a checklist in the notice that says "Missing: new paystub format verification" instead of just "incomplete"?? For anyone else reading this - definitely save Claimyr and that assembly member tip for future reference. And @Javier Torres thanks for explaining the 30-day restoration rule - I had no idea that existed and it could save people so much stress and reapplication hassle! It's crazy that we have to crowdsource this basic information because the actual system is so hard to navigate. But at least we're all helping each other out! 💪

That's great news that you got your Notice of Action and the reduction wasn't as bad as expected! $276 for CalFresh plus $922 for CalWORKs is definitely better than just the $435 you had before. Good luck with your WTW appointment - the childcare assistance can be a huge help when you're job searching. Also, once you do find work, remember that CalWORKs has earned income disregards that let you keep more of your benefits while working, so don't be afraid to take a job thinking you'll lose everything right away. The system is designed to help you transition to work gradually. Keep us posted on how things go!

I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago! My CalFresh dropped from $412 to $298 when I got approved for CalWORKs, but honestly it was still worth it overall. One thing that helped me was creating a new budget right away - I treat part of my CalWORKs cash as "grocery money" to make up for the CalFresh reduction. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're signed up for any local food banks or pantries in your area. They can really help stretch your food budget, especially during that adjustment period when you're getting used to the new benefit amounts. The first month or two felt tight but now I've got a system that works!

I'm so sorry you went through all that stress and confusion! As someone who's been navigating CalWORKs for a while, I can tell you that your original worker was definitely giving you incorrect information. It's unfortunately pretty common for workers to misunderstand policies, especially around housing situations. Just wanted to add a couple things that might help others in similar situations: 1. If you're staying somewhere for free, the county might assess it as "in-kind income" but they have to use fair market value calculations - they can't just make you pick a random rent amount. And even if they do count some in-kind income, it usually only reduces your grant slightly, not eliminates it entirely. 2. For documentation, keep records of all your conversations with workers - dates, times, what was said. This really helps when you need to escalate or clarify conflicting information later. 3. The CalWORKs All County Letter (ACL) system has all the official policy guidance. You can actually look these up online if you want to verify what workers are telling you. It sounds like you did everything right by pushing back and asking for a supervisor. That takes courage, especially when you're dealing with pregnancy stress on top of everything else. Hope your case gets resolved smoothly from here!

I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved by speaking with a supervisor! Your story is a perfect example of why it's so important to question things when workers give you information that doesn't sound right. As someone who's helped family members navigate CalWORKs, I can confirm that your original worker was completely wrong on multiple points. You should never be told to make up a rent amount you're not actually paying - that's literally asking you to commit fraud! And the idea that free housing automatically disqualifies you from CalWORKs is just not true. For anyone else reading this who might face similar issues: document everything, don't be afraid to ask for supervisors, and remember that you have the right to understand exactly which policies apply to your situation. Workers sometimes get overwhelmed or confused about complex rules, but that doesn't mean you have to accept incorrect information that could harm your benefits. The address situation you mentioned is also really common - definitely get that other person to update their information ASAP to avoid fraud investigations for everyone involved. Thanks for sharing your experience and the resolution! Stories like this help other community members know what to expect and how to advocate for themselves.

Here's a practical tip I used when my husband had variable income: I created a simple spreadsheet where I recorded each paycheck as it came in and had it automatically total the monthly amount. Then I wrote my IRT amount at the top in bold. As soon as that monthly total exceeded the IRT, I knew I had to report within 10 days. Another important thing to remember is that if you go over your IRT one month, your cash aid will be adjusted for that month, but it doesn't automatically mean you'll lose benefits completely. They recalculate based on the actual income and deductions.

I just went through this same situation a few months ago and it was so stressful! What really helped me was requesting my specific IRT amount in writing from my caseworker - they're supposed to tell you this number on your Notice of Action but sometimes it's buried in all the paperwork. One thing I learned is that you can also submit your income reports through the mail with a return receipt requested if you're worried about documentation. That way you have proof of when you submitted it if there are any questions later. Also, don't feel bad about the confusion - I've been on CalWORKs for 2 years and I'm STILL learning new things about how it all works. The system is incredibly complex and they really don't do a good job explaining it clearly to recipients.