This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable - I can't believe how much practical information has been shared here! As someone who's been struggling as a single adult and felt completely shut out of the system, reading all these responses has given me genuine hope for the first time in months. The breakdown of CalWORKs vs General Assistance finally makes sense, and I had no idea about programs like emergency rental assistance, the 211 helpline, or expedited processing for people facing homelessness. It's frustrating that you have to be a detective to find help when you're already at your most vulnerable, but this community has shown that there really are resources available if you know how to ask for them. I'm planning to call 211 first thing Monday morning and apply for GA and CalFresh. Thank you especially to the social services worker who shared insider tips - it means the world when someone who knows the system takes time to help people navigate it better. For anyone else reading this who feels lost in the bureaucracy, don't give up! This thread proves that while the system may not prioritize single adults, there are still ways to get help if you're persistent and ask the right questions.

This thread has been absolutely amazing - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information! As a single adult who's been struggling financially, I had completely given up on finding government assistance because every resource I looked at seemed focused on families with children. Reading through all these responses has been eye-opening and honestly life-changing. The explanation about CalWORKs vs General Assistance finally makes everything clear, and I had no idea about programs like emergency rental assistance, homeless prevention programs, or the 211 helpline. It's really unfortunate that the system makes it so difficult for single adults to find help, but this community has shown that there ARE options if you know where to look and how to ask. I'm definitely going to start with calling 211 and applying for both GA and CalFresh this week. The tip about asking specifically "what DO I qualify for?" instead of accepting "you don't qualify" as the final answer is brilliant and something I'll definitely remember. Thank you especially to the social services worker who shared insider knowledge about expedited processing - that kind of information can literally make the difference between someone ending up homeless or not. This is exactly the kind of real-world, practical advice that people need when they're trying to navigate these complex systems!

Welcome to CalWORKs, Carlos! I'm new here too and just got my approval last month. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful - I had no idea about some of this stuff like the 48-month clock and Earned Income Disregard. I'm still waiting for my WTW orientation notice (it's been 2.5 weeks since approval) and getting pretty anxious about it. Does anyone know if there's a way to check on the status or if we can call to ask when it's coming? I keep checking my mail every day and worry I might have missed something important. Also curious about the childcare application process - do we apply at the orientation or should we try to get that started beforehand? I have a 4-year-old and really need to get this figured out before any mandatory activities start. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is already helping me feel less overwhelmed about the whole process!

Hey Carlos! Congrats on getting approved - that's a huge step! I'm actually in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I've learned from my experience. I got my WTW orientation notice exactly 18 days after my CalWORKs approval, and the orientation was scheduled for about 2 weeks from the date of the notice. One thing that really helped me was calling ahead to ask about the childcare application process. I was able to get some of the paperwork started before my orientation, which sped things up a lot. Also, since you already have part-time work, make sure to bring recent paystubs to your orientation - they'll use that to calculate how many additional hours you need. The WTW worker will work with you to create a plan that fits your schedule around your existing job. In my case, they were pretty flexible about timing activities around my work hours. The key is just showing up to everything they schedule and communicating if you have any conflicts. Don't stress too much about the timeline - you'll have at least a few weeks from when you get the notice to when orientation happens, so there's time to arrange childcare. And like others mentioned, definitely ask about all the assistance programs available. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusing and stressful situation! As someone who's also navigating CalWORKs as a single parent, I can totally relate to feeling blindsided by policies they don't explain clearly upfront. Reading through all the responses here, it sounds like you have really solid grounds for a good cause exemption. The fact that your 3-year-old is already picking up on the tension and asking why daddy seems upset is heartbreaking - but it's also exactly the kind of evidence that shows this formal collection is harming your child's wellbeing, which is what the CF 8572 form is designed to address. I'd definitely echo everyone's advice about documenting everything thoroughly: - All the ways your daughter's father was helping informally (sounds like he was doing a lot beyond just diapers!) - Screenshots of texts showing how the surprise garnishment caught you both off guard - Specific examples of how this is affecting your daughter emotionally - Evidence that your informal co-parenting arrangement was actually working better for your family It's really frustrating that CalWORKs puts families in these impossible positions without proper warning. You shouldn't have to choose between getting help and maintaining the healthy relationship your daughter has with her father. Definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through to your caseworker faster - getting that good cause form started ASAP seems crucial. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this gets resolved quickly for you and your daughter. Please keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! As someone who's been dealing with CalWORKs for a few months now, I completely understand how overwhelming it can feel when policies aren't clearly explained during the application process. From reading through all the excellent advice here, it really sounds like you have a strong case for good cause, especially given how this is already affecting your daughter emotionally. The fact that she's noticing the tension and asking why daddy seems upset is both heartbreaking and powerful evidence that this formal collection is disrupting her wellbeing - which is exactly what the CF 8572 good cause exemption is designed to protect. I'd definitely recommend getting that form as soon as possible and being very detailed about: - How your informal arrangement was actually working well for your family - The specific support he was providing (diapers, formula, groceries, etc.) - How the surprise garnishment blindsided both of you - The emotional impact on your daughter and her relationship with her father It's really unfair that CalWORKs puts families in these impossible situations without proper warning. No parent should have to choose between getting help they need and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship that benefits their child. Definitely try that Claimyr service to get through to your caseworker faster - the automated system is notorious for being useless. I'm hoping you can get this resolved quickly before it causes any more stress for your family. Please keep us updated on how the good cause determination goes - your experience will definitely help other families facing similar situations!

I just wanted to add my voice to everyone who's already provided such helpful answers! As someone who's worked with CalFresh recipients for several years, I can absolutely confirm that credit card purchases and cash advances are NOT income for CalFresh purposes. You're borrowing money that has to be repaid with interest - that's debt, not income. What I always tell people in your situation is to focus on what actually matters for your renewal: documenting your current income from work. With your hours reduced to 22 per week, you'll likely qualify for higher CalFresh benefits, which should help reduce your reliance on credit cards for food purchases. I also wanted to emphasize what others have mentioned about CalWORKs - definitely apply! Many people don't realize that CalWORKs income limits are actually more generous when you're working because the program is designed to supplement employment, not replace it. With part-time hours, you very well may qualify for cash assistance that could help you avoid those expensive cash advances. Don't be afraid to have an honest conversation with your worker about your situation. They've seen it all, and reduced work hours due to economic conditions is extremely common right now. You're doing everything right by asking questions and making sure you understand the rules. Your renewal should go smoothly!

I'm really glad you asked this question because it's something so many people worry about unnecessarily! Everyone here has given you absolutely correct information - credit card purchases and cash advances are definitely NOT income for CalFresh reporting purposes. They're debt that you have to pay back, which is the complete opposite of income. I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago when my hours got cut and I had to rely on my credit card for groceries and utilities. I was terrified during my recertification that somehow using credit would get me in trouble, but my worker explained it exactly like others have here - CalFresh only cares about actual income sources, not how you manage to pay for things when that income isn't enough. The silver lining in your situation is that with reduced hours, you'll likely qualify for higher CalFresh benefits! Make sure to bring your recent pay stubs to document the change. And definitely look into CalWORKs like others suggested - I wish I had known about that option when I was struggling. One practical tip: I started keeping a simple list of my actual income sources (job, any side work, etc.) to refer to during appointments. It helped me stay focused on what actually needed to be reported instead of overthinking every financial transaction. You're going to do great at your renewal - just be honest about your work situation and don't stress about the credit card usage at all!

I'm also new to this community and just wanted to say how helpful this whole thread has been! I'm a single parent who just started the CalWORKs application process last week, and honestly all the different benefit programs are so confusing to keep straight. Reading everyone's experiences here really helped clear up the confusion between CalWORKs and CalFresh payments. My neighbor had told me something about split payments too, but now I understand she was probably talking about her food stamps, not the cash aid. It's so reassuring to know there are people here who actually know what they're talking about and are willing to help newcomers like us figure this all out. Looking forward to being part of this supportive community as I navigate through this whole process!

I'm also pretty new to this community and just went through the CalWORKs application process a couple months ago! This thread is so helpful - I had the exact same confusion about payment timing when I first got approved. Just to add my experience: I'm in LA County and my CalWORKs cash comes all at once on the 2nd of each month (based on my case number ending in 2). My CalFresh is $485 for my family and that gets split - first half comes on the 2nd with my cash, second half comes on the 12th. One tip I learned from my worker - if you ever have questions about payment dates or amounts, you can also check the MyBenefitsCal.com website. It shows your payment schedule and history once you create an account. Really helpful for budgeting and keeping track of everything! Hope your first payment comes through soon! The waiting is always the hardest part.