I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just got my Cash Aid approved two weeks ago and the ATM confusion has been so overwhelming. Like everyone else is saying, my caseworker gave me absolutely zero guidance - just handed me the EBT card and basically said "figure it out yourself." I've been bouncing between different ATMs all week trying to access my benefits. Wells Fargo has been a complete disaster (declined every single time), Chase worked but only let me get $200, and I finally had success at a Bank of America location that let me withdraw $300. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about: - The EBT Edge app (downloading it right now!) - Getting cash back at grocery stores instead of paying ATM fees - The customer service number to find fee-free locations - That different banks have completely different policies for EBT It's honestly ridiculous that we're all learning this basic information from each other instead of getting proper instructions when we're approved. We're already dealing with enough stress without having to play detective just to access our own benefits! Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this has been more educational than my entire intake process. Going to try the Bank of America route and call that customer service line tomorrow.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I went through the exact same confusion when I first got Cash Aid approved a few months ago. The ATM situation is honestly one of the most frustrating parts of the whole system. From my experience, here's what I've learned: - Wells Fargo is terrible with EBT cards - they seem to block them randomly - Bank of America ATMs work the most consistently and usually allow higher withdrawal amounts ($300-500) - There's a daily limit (usually around $1000 in CA but individual ATMs often have lower limits) - You can get cash back at grocery stores when buying something small - it's free and often lets you get more than ATMs Also, if you have the EBT Edge app (if not, download it!), it shows fee-free ATMs near you. And calling the number on the back of your card (877-328-9677) can help you find locations that won't charge fees. For your rent situation, you might need to plan to withdraw the max each day until you have enough, or see if your landlord will accept partial payments over a few days. Some Walmart locations also let you withdraw larger amounts at customer service. It's ridiculous that caseworkers don't explain any of this basic stuff when you get approved. We shouldn't have to figure it out through trial and error!

I went through something very similar when I started working part-time while on CalWORKs. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, yes your benefits will decrease but you'll likely still be financially better off overall. The income disregards mean they won't count every dollar you earn against your grant. Second, DEFINITELY apply for the childcare assistance program that others mentioned - it was a game changer for me. Having reliable childcare let me take on more consistent hours without worrying about my kid. Third, keep detailed records of everything - your paystubs, hours worked, rent payments, etc. This makes reporting much easier and protects you if there are any questions later. Last tip: if your hours are inconsistent week to week, ask your worker how to handle reporting fluctuating income. Some months you might be under your IRT and others over, so knowing the rules helps avoid any overpayment issues. You're doing great by working and staying on top of your reporting requirements. The transition period is stressful but it does get easier once you understand how everything works together.

I'm in a really similar situation right now! I just started a part-time job at $16/hour getting about 18-20 hours per week while receiving CalWORKs for me and my two kids. I was so worried about losing all my benefits when I had to report it. What I found out from my worker is that they actually WANT you to work and the system is designed to make sure you're better off working than not working. Like others said, they don't count every dollar - there's that $225 they don't count at all, then they only count half of what's left. One thing that really helped me was asking my worker to do a "what if" calculation before I officially reported. They could estimate how my grant would change based on my expected income. Maybe ask about that when you submit your SAR 7? Also, definitely look into the childcare program! I qualified and it's been amazing - my kids are in a great daycare program and I don't pay anything. It actually motivated me to ask for more hours at work since I had reliable childcare. You're doing the right thing by working and reporting properly. The first few months are the hardest while you figure out how everything works together, but it does get easier!

Hey Aaliyah! I'm also pretty new to CalWORKs and this thread has been so helpful to read through. I'm in a similar boat - my car is starting to have issues and I've been worried about what would happen if I need to replace it. From everything everyone has shared, it sounds like you're doing everything right by being proactive about reporting the purchase. The vehicle exemption policy seems really straightforward - your primary car doesn't count against the resource limit as long as it's used for transportation, which yours obviously is. I love that you went with a Toyota - those are so reliable! And congrats on finally having dependable transportation. I know how stressful it is when your car is constantly breaking down and you can't count on it to get to work. Thanks for asking this question and getting such great responses from everyone. As someone who's still learning all these rules, it's incredibly valuable to see real examples of how this stuff actually works. Hope your call with your worker goes smoothly - sounds like you've got all the info and paperwork you need to make it quick and easy!

Hey Aaliyah! I'm also new to CalWORKs and have been reading through this whole thread - it's been incredibly helpful! Your situation with the car purchase is exactly the kind of thing I would stress about too, so thank you for asking this question. From everything everyone has shared, it sounds like you're totally in the clear. The one vehicle exemption policy seems pretty straightforward, and with your equity being only around $2,000, you're well below the $10,000 resource limit. Plus the fact that you're being proactive about reporting it right away shows you're following all the rules properly. I really appreciate how supportive this community has been in sharing their experiences. As someone still learning how all this works, hearing real stories from people who've actually been through the process makes such a difference. The consistent advice about having paperwork ready and calling promptly seems to be the key to smooth interactions with workers. Congrats on getting a reliable Toyota! Having dependable transportation is such a huge step. Hope your call goes well tomorrow - you've definitely got all the info you need to make it quick and easy. Thanks for starting such an informative discussion that's helping all us newcomers!

As someone who's been navigating the benefits system for a while now, I wanted to echo what everyone else has said - you're absolutely doing the right thing by asking questions here! The misinformation that spreads through casual conversations can be really damaging, especially when people are already stressed about making ends meet. I've been through similar scares where I heard rumors about program changes and spent sleepless nights worrying about losing benefits my family depends on. What I've learned is that major benefit changes are always communicated through official channels first - you'll get notices in the mail from your county office or see announcements on official websites before any changes actually take effect. It sounds like you have your household composition reported correctly, which is the most important thing. The fact that your caseworker explained the SSI exemption when you first applied shows they're doing their job properly. Keep up with your regular reporting requirements and don't let grocery store gossip stress you out! Your aunt's SSI is completely safe from any CalWORKs policy changes.

I'm so glad you found this community and got such clear answers! As someone who's also been confused by all the different benefit programs and how they interact (or don't interact), this whole conversation has been really educational for me too. It's frustrating how much misinformation gets passed around - I think people mean well when they share what they think they know, but it can cause so much unnecessary stress for families who are already dealing with a lot. I've learned that whenever I hear something concerning about benefits, it's worth taking the time to verify it through reliable sources like this community or official channels rather than losing sleep over rumors. Your situation sounds like it's been handled correctly from the start, which is great! It's clear you've been responsible about reporting your household composition properly. Hopefully this experience gives you more confidence in knowing where to go for accurate information when questions come up in the future. Thanks to everyone who shared their expertise here - it's such a valuable resource!

One more important point: If you're starting a GED program, make sure you ask about supportive services! CalWORKs can provide: - Transportation assistance to get to and from classes - Book and supplies money - Childcare during class and study time Don't miss out on these benefits - they're designed to help you succeed in your education while meeting your WTW requirements. Some counties also have specific CalWORKs counselors at community colleges and adult schools who can help you navigate the system.

I'm currently in the process of getting my GED approved for my WTW hours too! One thing I learned from talking to other people in my area is that you should ask your worker about "concurrent enrollment" if there's a community college near you. Some counties will let you take GED prep classes at the community college AND get college credit for them at the same time. That way when you finish your GED, you're already started on college courses which can also count toward WTW. Also, if you're worried about the 30 hours, ask about "barrier removal" activities. If you have any issues like transportation problems, childcare needs, or even mental health stuff, they sometimes count counseling or case management toward your hours while you're getting your GED. Every little bit helps when you're trying to make those 30 hours work with school! Good luck with getting everything approved - sounds like you're on the right track now!