Based on what you've shared, it sounds like your case is in a partial reinstatement status. When you missed your original phone appointment, they issued the discontinuance, but when you completed the interview on Monday, they reinstated benefits for the current month (May). The worker's comment about June benefits ending likely relates to the child support cooperation issue. Here's what's probably happening: 1. Your May benefits are being processed now that you've had the interview 2. The hospital verification document should be sufficient for now (they'll note in your case that you need to provide the birth certificate later) 3. Your decision to refuse child support cooperation will result in a 25% reduction to YOUR portion of the grant, not the children's portion I recommend calling your county office to specifically ask about the status of your June benefits. There's a chance the worker was incorrectly assuming your case would close completely rather than just being reduced. According to CalWORKs regulations, refusing child support cooperation without good cause should only result in a 25% reduction to the parent's portion, not complete case closure. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone, follow up in person at the office. Make sure to get any answers in writing so you have documentation.

I went through something similar when I had my second child. The hospital verification document (that white paper) is totally acceptable - I used mine for months before getting the official birth certificate. Don't stress about that part. For the child support refusal, the worker probably didn't explain it clearly. You WON'T lose all your benefits - they'll just reduce YOUR portion by 25%. So if your total grant would be $600 and your adult portion is $200, they'd reduce it by $50 (25% of $200), leaving you with $550 total. Your kids' portions stay the same. The confusing part about "stopping next month" might be because your case needs to go through the child support cooperation review process. Sometimes there's a delay while they process the refusal and calculate the new grant amount. I'd definitely call or go back in person to clarify exactly what's happening with June benefits. Also, if you have ANY safety concerns about the father (even from years ago), definitely ask about filing for "good cause" exemption from child support cooperation. This could prevent the 25% reduction entirely.

One more important thing about CalWORKs that people often don't realize: Once approved, you might qualify for other benefits automatically: 1. Medi-Cal health coverage for your whole family 2. CalFresh (food stamps) to help with groceries 3. Childcare assistance if you're working or in approved activities 4. Special $30 monthly diaper benefit if you have a child under 3 5. Reduced utility bills through CARE/FERA programs During your interview, make sure to ask about these additional benefits! Your CalWORKs eligibility worker should screen you for all available programs, but sometimes they forget to mention everything you qualify for.

Just wanted to add something that helped me during my application process - if you're really stressed about making rent next month, make sure to tell them about your emergency situation during the interview! They have something called "immediate need" that can get you benefits faster than the usual 30 days. When I applied, I was about to lose my apartment and they expedited my case. I got my first payment in about 10 days instead of waiting the full month. You have to prove the emergency (like an eviction notice or shut-off notice from utilities), but it's worth asking about. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to doesn't seem helpful - sometimes you have to ask to speak to a supervisor to get someone who really knows all the programs available. Good luck with your interview, you've got this! 💪

This whole thing reminds me that diaper benefits are ending completely when my daughter turns 3 next month. Has anyone successfully transitioned their toddler out of diapers before the benefits end? Any potty training tips that worked with your kids? My daughter shows zero interest and I'm worried about the extra expense.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I was panicking when I saw my diaper allowance was missing from my January payment too. My 15-month-old daughter depends on that $60 and I was worried I'd done something wrong with my paperwork. It's such a relief to know it was just a system glitch and not something I messed up. I'll keep checking my account for the supplemental payment. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helped calm my nerves knowing I wasn't the only one dealing with this!

@concerned_recipient The overpayment stuff is SO TRUE. my friend got hit with a $3800 overpayment from 2023 and they're taking money out of her grant every month now. she's really struggling. all because she worked some overtime at her job for a few months and didn't realize she was supposed to report it mid-period. and they expect everyone to understand all these complicated rules!!!!

Just wanted to add that if you're getting close to your IRT, it's worth calculating your income carefully each month. I track mine on a simple spreadsheet with my gross pay from each paycheck. Also remember that some types of income don't count toward your IRT - like certain educational grants or some disability payments. But work income definitely counts, so with your $1,800/month you should be fine under the $3,276 threshold. Keep those paystubs organized though - you'll need them for your SAR7 and if they ever do a review. Good luck with the new job!

Just wanted to add that even though you have to include your newborn on the application, you might actually come out ahead financially! With $800/month support, after the $250 disregard, only $550 would count as income. But adding a 4th child to your assistance unit increases your maximum grant by quite a bit - potentially more than the $550 reduction. Plus you'd get increased CalFresh benefits too. Definitely run the numbers with a benefits counselor, but don't assume you'll be worse off including the baby!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help! I went through a similar situation last year with my twins - one had a father who was providing support and the other didn't. The caseworker explained that CalWORKs looks at your household as a unit, so even though the circumstances are different for each child, they all have to be included. What really helped me was using the BenefitsCal.com calculator before applying - it showed me exactly how the child support would affect my grant amount. In my case, even with $600/month in support, I still qualified for a decent amount because the additional child increased my maximum grant. The key is being completely transparent about all income sources during your application and ongoing reporting. Don't stress too much about the paternity cooperation stuff either - if the father is already providing support voluntarily, that actually makes the process smoother!