To clarify: 1. CalWORKs Cash Aid is NOT taxable and NOT reported on your tax return 2. You SHOULD still file taxes to claim refundable credits 3. Child Tax Credit - up to $2,000 per child under 17 4. Any earned income (even small amounts) helps you qualify for EITC 5. WTW counselors focus on employment, not tax advice (though I agree they should mention it) The IRS has a special page about tax benefits for families: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc And to find free tax preparation sites near you, visit: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or call 800-906-9887 Don't miss out on these credits - they're specifically designed to help families with children, especially those with lower incomes.

I'm so glad you found all this helpful information! As someone new to the CalWORKs system, I'm learning a lot from this thread too. One thing I wanted to add - when you go to the VITA site, bring any documents you have like your CalWORKs award letter, Social Security cards for you and your kids, and any records of that babysitting income (even if it's just a note you wrote yourself with dates and amounts). Also, I've heard that some VITA sites get really busy during peak tax season, so it might be worth calling ahead to make an appointment or ask about their busiest/slowest times. The fact that you can potentially get thousands back in credits is amazing - that money can really make a difference for families like ours!

update us on what happens! i need to go in next month for my recertification interview and wanna know if u get anywhere with riverside office

I'm so sorry you're going through this Rebecca! I had a similar issue a few months ago where my benefits got delayed and I was about to lose my housing. One thing that really helped me was going to the office FIRST THING in the morning when they open - like be there at 7:45 AM before the 8:00 opening. The security guard told me that emergency cases (like missing payments) get priority if you're one of the first people there. Also, bring every single document you have - your ID, Social Security cards for you and the kids, any recent pay stubs, your lease agreement showing rent is due, and definitely that eviction notice if your landlord gave you one in writing. They can sometimes issue an emergency payment same day if you have all your paperwork ready. Don't give up - you've got this! Your kids need those benefits and you deserve to have someone actually help you instead of giving you the runaround.

Something else to consider - if you're facing eviction, contact your local legal aid society or tenant rights organization IMMEDIATELY. They often have emergency rental assistance programs that work faster than CalWORKs and can help negotiate with your landlord to prevent eviction while your CalWORKs application is being processed. In California, landlords are required to accept partial payments in many cases, and legal aid can help you understand your rights. Some counties also have rapid rehousing programs through their Continuum of Care that might be quicker than the CalWORKs process. Also, when you apply for CalWORKs, ask specifically about "expedited processing" - if you have less than $100 in resources and your monthly income is less than your rent, they're supposed to process your application within 3 days for emergency food assistance, which can free up money for rent. Don't wait - apply today if possible. Time is critical with eviction proceedings!

I went through this exact situation 6 months ago with my 4-year-old daughter. Here's what I learned that might help you move faster: 1. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com BUT also go to your county office in person the same day if possible. This creates dual pathways and sometimes the in-person application moves faster. 2. When you apply, specifically mention you're facing "imminent homelessness" - this is the exact language they use for priority processing. Don't just say "eviction" - say "imminent homelessness due to eviction." 3. Bring COPIES of everything, not originals. I wasted two trips because they needed to copy documents and their machine was broken. 4. Ask for the "HSP referral" immediately when you meet with your worker. Don't wait for them to bring it up - some workers don't automatically think of it. 5. Document EVERYTHING - take photos of all paperwork you submit, get receipt numbers, write down worker names and dates. This saved me when documents went "missing." The back rent situation is tricky - HSP can help with ongoing rent but you'll likely need to combine it with emergency assistance from local nonprofits for the $3700 you're behind. Search "[your county] emergency rental assistance" and apply to multiple programs simultaneously. You've got this! Having kids puts you in a higher priority category than most applicants.

Just want to add - keep really good records of everything! I learned this the hard way. Save screenshots of your EDD payment history, keep copies of all your SAR7 forms, and document any phone calls with your worker (date, time, who you talked to, what was discussed). When I had issues with my case, having all that documentation saved me from a huge headache. Also, if your EDD gets delayed or you have weeks with no payment, make sure to report that too on your SAR7 - zero income is still income reporting! The key is being completely transparent about everything.

I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who responded! This has been so helpful. I was really stressed about messing up my benefits and now I feel like I have a much clearer understanding. The main takeaways I'm getting are: 1) Yes, I definitely need to report EDD income on SAR7 as unearned income, 2) Report based on actual payment dates not benefit weeks, 3) Keep detailed records of everything, 4) Watch out for the IRT threshold, and 5) My Cash Aid will probably go down but that's normal. I'm going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through to my worker and confirm my IRT amount. Really appreciate this community - you all probably saved me from a major overpayment situation!

Unfortunately, there's no special exemption for student income in CalWORKs. All earned income in the household counts against your grant (after standard deductions). However, your son might qualify for the Cal-Learn program if he's a teen parent, or for specific WTW exemptions if he's meeting certain educational requirements. One thing to consider: if your son is saving for college, have him look into opening a Coverdell Education Savings Account or 529 plan. These special savings accounts DON'T count against your resource limits for CalWORKs eligibility. Regular savings accounts do have limits that could affect your entire family's eligibility if they exceed $10,211 (the current resource limit for most families).

I'm dealing with something similar in Whittier! Getting letters from multiple offices is so confusing. One thing that helped me was calling the main DPSS number (866-613-3777) early in the morning around 8 AM - the wait times are usually shorter then. When you get through, ask them to do a "benefit history review" for your case. They can tell you exactly what triggered the reduction and when it started. Also, since your son just started working, make sure you understand the "earned income disregard" rules. The first $225 of his monthly earnings shouldn't count against your benefits, but anything over that gets calculated into your grant reduction. It might be worth having him track his hours carefully to stay under certain thresholds if possible while he's saving for college. Good luck at the Pomona office tomorrow! Bring copies of everything - your son's pay stubs, the CalWORKs notices showing the reduction, and your most recent SAR7. Sometimes having all the paperwork right there helps them figure out the issue faster.