I want to add something that might help during the application process - if your mom encounters any issues with the county office or feels like she's not getting the right information, she can also contact the California Department of Social Services directly at their state level. They have a complaint process and can sometimes help resolve local office issues. Also, make sure your mom keeps copies of EVERYTHING - the application, any documents she submits, and notes from any conversations with county workers. If there are delays or problems later, having that documentation can be really important. One more resource that might be helpful is 211 - you can dial 2-1-1 from any phone to get connected to local resources and services. They often know about community organizations that specifically help seniors navigate benefit applications and might be able to connect you with additional support. Your mom sounds like an amazing person for stepping up to care for your niece during such a difficult time. I hope the application process goes smoothly and she gets the assistance she deserves!

I'm so glad to see this conversation happening! As someone who works with seniors in our community, I wanted to add that many counties also have Senior Information and Assistance programs that can help navigate not just CalWORKs but other benefits your mom might qualify for too. Since she's 67 and caring for a young child, she might also be eligible for additional utility assistance programs, senior food programs, or even housing assistance that could help stretch that Social Security further. These programs often have their own income limits that are higher than other assistance programs. Also, just a heads up - when she goes to apply, if the office seems really busy or if she feels rushed, she can always ask to reschedule for a less hectic time. Senior applicants deserve the time and attention needed to get their applications right the first time, especially when dealing with the complexities of being a caretaker relative. Your mom is doing something incredibly selfless, and the system should be working to support her, not creating barriers. Wishing you both the best with the application process!

I'm new to CalWORKs and this thread is so helpful! I just applied last month and was wondering why I haven't been assigned a specific caseworker yet. Now I understand it's this new "regionalized" system everyone is talking about. For anyone still dealing with the two-office situation - I called the main number yesterday and the worker explained that sometimes your case gets "split" between offices during processing, especially if you moved recently or if there were any address changes in your application. She said it should eventually get consolidated to your home office, but it can take a few months. Also wanted to mention that if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, I've had good luck using the "callback" option instead of waiting on hold. You can request a callback and they usually call back within a few hours during business days.

I'm going through the exact same thing in Hacienda Heights! No assigned worker, just "CUSTOMER SERVICE" on everything, and I get mail from both El Monte and Pomona too. It's so confusing when you need help with something specific. One thing that's worked for me is going to the office first thing in the morning when they open - there are way fewer people and the workers seem less rushed. I've been to both offices and honestly Pomona has been more helpful in my experience. The El Monte office always feels chaotic and understaffed. Also, if you do figure out what caused your $175 drop, please update us! I'm worried the same thing might happen to me since my daughter just started babysitting for neighbors and I'm not sure how to report that income properly. The whole system feels like you need a manual just to understand the basics.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Just want to add that you should also check if you're receiving any other benefits like WIC or Medi-Cal for the kids - those will need to be transferred separately too. The county offices don't always automatically coordinate between different programs, so you might need to contact each one individually. Also, make sure your ex knows that he'll need to complete the eligibility interview within 30 days of submitting his application, and he should bring proof of income, rent/utilities, and any childcare expenses. The county will want to verify everything fresh since it's technically a new case. Good luck with the transition!

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. When I transferred my case to my ex, the most important thing was getting both of us on a three-way call with the eligibility worker. This way there was no confusion about what was happening and we could coordinate everything in real time. My worker was able to close my case and immediately flag his new application for expedited processing since the kids were already receiving benefits. The whole thing took about 10 days and there was no gap in benefits. Also make sure your ex brings a letter from the kids' school showing their current address with him - that was the easiest way to prove they were living there full time. Don't stress too much, the county workers deal with this situation all the time!

Thank you so much for posting this! I'm a new community member and currently going through my first CalWORKs application process. My application has been pending for about 2 weeks now and I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong. After reading your experience and all these comments, I realize this is a widespread system issue, not something I messed up. I'm going to follow the advice here and mail physical copies of all my documents tomorrow, even though BenefitsCal shows everything as "received." It's really disappointing that families in need have to navigate around a broken system, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share real solutions. I'll definitely be taking screenshots of everything and keeping detailed records like everyone suggests. Fingers crossed my application moves forward soon!

As someone who just joined this community, I'm shocked to learn how widespread these BenefitsCal issues are! I submitted my CalWORKs application 2 weeks ago and everything showed as "received" online, so I thought I was all set. After reading everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely going to mail physical copies of all my documents tomorrow with tracking. It's really frustrating that families who are already struggling have to work around a broken system, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing these real-world solutions. The tip about taking screenshots with timestamps is brilliant - I'm going to start doing that immediately. Thank you Alexander for sharing your story and everyone else for the practical advice! I'll update once I hear back on my application.

To summarize what everyone is saying (there's a bit of confusion in some responses): 1. Federal tax refunds are EXEMPT income for CalWORKs purposes and exempt as a resource for 12 months after receipt 2. You should still REPORT the refund when you receive it, but clearly mark it as "tax refund" so it's properly coded as exempt 3. Your main focus should be on accurately reporting your self-employment income throughout the year on your SAR 7 forms 4. For your renewal, you'll need to complete a self-employment form (CW 10) detailing your income and business expenses 5. Keep all receipts and documentation - with cash work and no 1099s, good record-keeping is crucial Hope this helps clarify things!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you file your taxes, make sure you keep a copy of your tax return! Your CalWORKs worker might ask for it during your renewal to verify your self-employment income matches what you've been reporting all year. Also, since you mentioned you do cleaning and babysitting, you might want to look into whether any of your regular clients should be giving you 1099s. If you make $600+ from any single household in a year, they're supposed to issue one. Not saying you need to chase people down for them, but just something to be aware of for next tax season. The earned income tax credit you mentioned is awesome - that's money back in your pocket that doesn't count against your CalWORKs at all. You're doing everything right by staying on top of this stuff before your renewal!