This is such an important thread for everyone to read! I went through this exact same confusion when I first started working while on CalWORKs. The IRT concept is honestly one of the most misunderstood parts of the whole system. What helped me was thinking of it this way: the IRT is like a "reporting schedule" threshold, not a "benefit protection" threshold. If you earn under your IRT, you get to wait until your regular SAR7 to report it instead of calling within 10 days. But once you DO report it (whether immediately or on your SAR7), they're going to adjust your benefits regardless. @Emily Parker - definitely get that step-by-step calculation breakdown when you request your hearing. I caught an error in mine where they forgot to apply the $450 earnings disregard and I got several months of backpay. Even if the reduction ends up being correct, at least you'll have peace of mind knowing exactly how they calculated it. One more tip - keep detailed records of your IHSS hours and payments. Sometimes there are delays in reporting between IHSS and the county, which can cause calculation errors on your CalWORKs case. Having your own documentation helps when these issues come up.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As someone who recently went through a similar experience, I completely understand your confusion about the IRT rules. The explanation everyone gave about IRT being a "reporting schedule threshold" rather than a "benefit protection threshold" is spot on. I made the same assumption you did initially - that staying under the IRT meant my benefits would remain stable. It's really misleading how this gets communicated (or not communicated) during the application process. Since you're working IHSS, make sure when you request that hearing that you specifically ask about any special income disregards or exemptions that might apply to caregiving income. I've heard there can be additional protections for IHSS providers that don't always get applied correctly. Also, don't feel discouraged about working even though your cash aid decreased. You're gaining valuable work experience in healthcare/caregiving, which could lead to better opportunities down the road. Plus, you should still have your Medi-Cal coverage, and you might qualify for other working family benefits like childcare assistance or transportation help that weren't available when you weren't working. Hang in there - the transition period is always the hardest part, but you're taking the right steps by asking questions and advocating for yourself!

This whole thread is so helpful! I've been on CalWORKs for about 4 months and I had the exact same confusion. Last week I desperately needed money for groceries and tried my card around 11:30 PM on my deposit day - nothing. Then I tried again at 12:05 AM and boom, there it was! I thought it was some kind of system glitch or that maybe I had gotten lucky. It's such a relief to know this is actually how it's supposed to work and that I don't need to worry about any overpayment issues. I really wish they would include this kind of practical information in the welcome packet or during the eligibility interview. Knowing that both CalWORKs and CalFresh follow the same midnight schedule is going to make budgeting and bill paying so much easier. Thanks for asking what we were all wondering!

Welcome to everyone who's new to CalWORKs! This thread really highlights how much the system could improve in terms of basic communication. I've been receiving benefits for over a year and I still learn new things from this community regularly. One tip I'd add - if you're ever unsure about your specific deposit date or need to verify when your benefits will be available, you can check your balance and transaction history 24/7 by calling the EBT customer service line on the back of your Golden State Advantage card, or by creating an account on the ebtEDGE mobile app. Both are much faster than trying to reach your county worker directly. Also, keep in mind that while the midnight availability is standard, it's always smart to have a small buffer when possible since occasionally there can be system maintenance or technical delays that might push availability to early morning hours instead.

I'm also pretty new to the program and this thread has been super educational! One thing I wanted to add - if you're ever unsure whether it's maintenance or a real issue with your card, you can also try using your EBT card at a grocery store to test if it's working. Sometimes ATMs have issues but the card still works for purchases. Also learned from my caseworker that if you're having persistent issues with your card (like it gets demagnetized or damaged), most county offices can issue emergency replacement cards same-day if you go in person. Really glad everyone got their access back though!

Just want to add for anyone reading this later - if you're working night shifts like me and need access to your benefits during these late hours, consider keeping a small emergency cash buffer if possible. I know that's easier said than done on a tight budget, but even $20-30 set aside can cover things like gas or urgent expenses when the system goes down unexpectedly. Also, many 24-hour stores like some Walmarts and grocery chains allow cashback with EBT purchases, so you can sometimes get cash that way even when ATMs are down for maintenance. The produce section is usually your cheapest option - grab some bananas or apples and get cashback. Hope this helps other night shift workers avoid the panic I felt tonight!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months and just got my first job interview in over a year, I'm saving all of this information. The breakdown of the 10-day reporting rule, IRT thresholds, and especially all the transitional benefits like the Work Bonus and childcare continuation is exactly what I needed to know. What really stands out to me is how proactive everyone has been about understanding their rights and documenting everything. I had no idea that transitional benefits were actually legal entitlements rather than optional help - that's such an important distinction when advocating for yourself with your worker. @Keisha Thompson - congratulations on not just getting the job but handling the reporting process so well! Your updates showing that the system actually worked when you followed the rules gives me a lot of hope. And to everyone else who shared their experiences and tips - from calling at 8am to asking for printed eligibility letters - thank you for creating such a comprehensive guide. If I do get this job, I feel so much more prepared now to report properly and make sure I get all the transitional support I'm entitled to. This community is proof that when we share knowledge and support each other, we can navigate even complex systems successfully!

Welcome to everyone who's just joined this conversation! As someone who's been in the CalWORKs system for about 2 years now, I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to keep a detailed log of ALL your communication with your worker, including dates, times, names, and what was discussed. I use a simple notebook just for CalWORKs stuff and it's saved me so many times when there were discrepancies. Also, don't be discouraged if your first call doesn't go smoothly. I've learned that persistence is key - some workers are more knowledgeable about transitional benefits than others. If you feel like you're not getting the help you need, it's totally okay to ask to speak with a supervisor or request a different worker. The success stories in this thread are so encouraging! It really shows that when you're informed about your rights and proactive about reporting, the system can actually work in your favor. The transitional benefits like the Work Bonus and extended childcare can make a huge difference during that scary transition period when you're not sure if your new income will be enough. @Keisha Thompson - your journey from being confused about reporting to successfully getting everything set up is exactly the kind of outcome we all hope for. Thanks for sharing your process and updates - it gives the rest of us a roadmap to follow!

Wow, reading through all these responses as someone new to CalWORKs has been incredibly educational! I'm in Riverside County and had similar questions about how income changes affect benefits. The advice about documenting everything and reporting changes immediately really resonates with me. One thing I'm curious about - for those who have successfully reported income decreases, how long did it typically take to see the increased benefits show up on your EBT card? I know processing times can vary by county, but I'm trying to plan my budget and wondering if it's usually days or weeks. Also, does anyone know if the BenefitsCal system sends you any kind of notification when your case has been updated, or do you just have to keep checking your benefit amount? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community is amazing!

Hi there! As someone who just joined this community, I wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm also navigating CalWORKs for the first time and had no idea about so many of these details. The breakdown of how income affects grant calculations, the regional differences, and especially the importance of timing when reporting changes has been eye-opening. I'm in San Bernardino County and was confused about similar issues with my benefits. Reading everyone's experiences and advice here has given me so much more confidence about understanding the system. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge - it's clear this community really looks out for each other! I'll definitely be following all the advice about documenting everything and reporting changes promptly. This is exactly the kind of support new people like me need when trying to figure out these complicated programs.