Hey! I'm new here but wanted to share what I learned when I was in a similar situation last year. The WTW program can seem overwhelming at first, but there are definitely options that work for single moms with young kids. A few things that helped me: - Ask specifically about "concurrent activities" - you might be able to combine things like adult education classes with work experience to meet your hours - If you're interested in healthcare, many counties have medical assistant or home health aide programs that are in high demand and lead to good-paying jobs - Don't let them pressure you into just job search activities if that's not what you want - you have the right to choose education/training if it makes sense for your goals One heads up - make sure you understand the "good cause" exemptions for when you might need to miss hours (sick kids, lack of childcare, etc.). Knowing these upfront can save you from getting sanctioned later. It sounds like you're on the right track now with getting more info from your worker. The online admin program sounds like a great fit for your situation! Keep advocating for yourself - you know your needs better than anyone else.

Great question about concurrent activities! From my experience, yes you can often combine different WTW activities to meet your hours. For example, I did an online customer service certification program for 20 hours/week and then did a work experience placement at a local nonprofit for 10 hours/week to get my full 30 hours. The work experience gave me real-world practice while I was learning the skills in my online classes. For medical assistant programs, most have both online and in-person components. The coursework (anatomy, medical terminology, etc.) is usually online, but you'll need to do hands-on clinical training and externships in person. However, some programs are more flexible about when you do the in-person parts - like evening or weekend clinical sessions. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - ask about "education in combination with work" options. If you're doing the admin program, you might be able to get a part-time office job or internship that counts toward your hours while you're still learning. It's like getting paid to practice what you're studying! Definitely ask the counselor to show you exactly how different combinations of activities would work to meet your 30 hours. They should be able to map out a few different scenarios for you to choose from.

BTW did u check if they got ur food stamps too or just the cash aid? sometimes they take everything!

I'm so sorry this happened to you - what a horrible situation to wake up to! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and it's absolutely terrifying. One thing that really helped me was calling my landlord immediately (even on the weekend) and explaining the situation with proof. I took screenshots of my EBT account showing the theft and sent them along with a brief explanation. My landlord actually gave me an extension when they saw it was fraud, not just me being late on rent. Also, make sure you file that police report ASAP on Monday - some counties won't process the benefit replacement without it. And ask your CalWORKs worker about "special circumstances" funding - it's different from regular emergency assistance and can sometimes be approved faster when there's documented fraud involved. For immediate food help this weekend, try calling churches in your area even if you're not religious. Many have weekend food pantries or can connect you with families willing to help. The Salvation Army also sometimes has emergency weekend assistance. Hang in there - this is NOT your fault and there are people who will help you through this!

I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you @Zainab Mahmoud! As someone who's also navigating the California benefits system, I wanted to add one more resource that might be useful during your transition. The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment has a state-by-state comparison tool that shows different benefit amounts and requirements across states. It might help you prepare mentally for the changes you'll see moving from California to Nevada. You can find it by searching "NCBOE state comparison" online. Also, since you mentioned your daughter has upcoming appointments, consider asking her current doctors if they can provide referrals to specialists in the Las Vegas area. Having those referrals ready can help ensure continuity of care once you get Nevada Medicaid approved. The strength and love you're showing by uprooting your life to care for your mom is truly inspiring. This community's response to your situation has been beautiful to witness - so much practical wisdom and genuine support. You're going into this move much better prepared thanks to everyone's input. Sending you and your family positive thoughts for a smooth transition and your mom's recovery! 💙

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! @Zainab Mahmoud, I'm so sorry about your mom's stroke and the stress you're facing with this sudden move. The outpouring of detailed, practical advice from this community has been amazing to witness. I wanted to add one more small tip that helped me when I had to navigate a complex benefits situation - consider keeping a simple log/journal of all your calls, applications, and communications during this transition. Write down dates, times, who you spoke with, and what was discussed. This documentation can be really helpful if any issues come up later or if you need to reference previous conversations. Also, since you're moving to Las Vegas and several people mentioned local resources, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has computers and free wifi if you need to access online applications or print documents once you arrive. They also have staff who can sometimes help with basic computer tasks if you're not comfortable with the online systems. The comprehensive guidance you've received here - from reporting requirements to specific Nevada programs to local Las Vegas resources - is truly remarkable. You have such a solid roadmap now for this transition. Your dedication to caring for your mom while managing all these logistics shows incredible strength. Wishing you and your family a smooth move and hoping your mom's recovery goes well! This community is truly special. 💙

Hey Chippale! I'm still having issues too as of yesterday. The Bank of America ATMs seem to work better than other ones, but I can still only get like $200 at a time instead of larger amounts. The grocery store cash back method has been my main workaround - I can get $100-200 depending on the store. From what everyone's been saying, this system upgrade thing is still ongoing so we're probably stuck with these workarounds for a little while longer. Have you tried the BofA ATMs or cash back at stores yet?

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with this exact same problem since yesterday and was starting to worry that something was wrong with my account. My EBT card works perfectly fine for purchases at stores but every ATM I've tried (about 4 different ones) just says "declined" even though I can see my balance is over $400. I was planning to get cash for my rent payment and was getting really stressed thinking my benefits got messed up somehow. Reading all these comments about the system upgrades is such a relief - at least now I know it's not just me! I'm definitely going to try the Bank of America ATM tomorrow and the grocery store cash back method that everyone's been talking about. It's really frustrating that they don't warn us about these system changes when we depend on this money for basic necessities. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and workarounds - this community is way more helpful than trying to call that useless customer service line!

I'm so glad you got your card frozen and are taking all the right steps! That $3.50 test transaction is definitely solid evidence that your card was compromised. When you file the police report tomorrow, make sure to mention both transactions and emphasize that you've never been to that Shell station - the location data will help prove it wasn't you. One more tip: when you get your replacement card, consider setting up account alerts so you get notified immediately of any transactions. Many people don't realize this is an option, but it can help you catch fraud within minutes instead of days. You've got this! The fact that you acted so quickly and have clear evidence of the test transaction puts you in a really good position for getting your benefits replaced. Keep us posted on how it goes with the police report and your county worker!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - benefit theft is absolutely terrifying and unfortunately way too common right now. The advice everyone's given you is spot on, especially about acting fast with the police report and EBT customer service. One thing I'd add: when you talk to your county worker, ask specifically about "expedited replacement" if you can show immediate hardship (like your rent being due). Some counties can process emergency replacements faster than the standard 30-45 days, especially if you have documentation showing you need the money for housing or essential needs. Also, that test transaction at the Shell station is actually really strong evidence in your favor - make sure to emphasize to both the police and your worker that you've never been to that location. GPS data from transactions can be crucial proof that it wasn't you. You're doing everything right by reporting immediately. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're to blame for this - these thieves are getting more sophisticated and targeting benefit recipients specifically. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!