I've been following this thread as someone who also receives CalWORKs benefits, and I just wanted to say how helpful everyone's advice has been! Alexander, I'm really glad you got this resolved without major penalties - it gives me confidence that the county can be reasonable when people are honest about their mistakes. One thing I wanted to add based on my experience: when you do get that Notice of Action with the overpayment calculation, make sure to read through it carefully and keep a copy for your records. I had a situation last year where there was actually an error in how they calculated my overpayment (they didn't account for some allowable deductions), and having that documentation helped me appeal successfully. Also, for anyone reading this who might be nervous about calling the county office - I've found that calling first thing in the morning (like right when they open) or later in the afternoon tends to have shorter wait times than calling during lunch hours. And definitely ask for that reference number or case note like others have mentioned! This community is so valuable for sharing real-world experiences that help us all navigate these systems better. Thanks to everyone for the great advice!

This whole thread has been such an amazing resource! As a newcomer to CalWORKs who just got approved a few weeks ago, I was honestly terrified about making mistakes with income reporting. Reading Alexander's experience and seeing how the county handled his late reporting has been incredibly reassuring - it shows that being honest and proactive really does make a difference, even when you mess up the timing. I'm currently doing some freelance graphic design work that's pretty sporadic, so all the advice about tracking irregular income and setting up systems to stay compliant is exactly what I needed to hear. The practical tips everyone has shared - like the phone reminders for the 10-day window, keeping detailed records of cash payments, and writing your IRT limit somewhere visible - are so much more helpful than anything I could find in the official materials. I'm definitely going to ask my caseworker about the text reminder services and possibly requesting modified reporting for my irregular freelance income. It sounds like that could save me a lot of stress compared to constantly worrying about whether each project payment puts me over my threshold. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive community where people can share real experiences and learn from each other. This discussion has made me feel so much more confident about managing my benefits properly!

Congrats on getting the job at Target! That's a big step. Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of any work-related expenses like uniforms, transportation, or meals during your shifts. Some of these might be deductible from your income when they calculate your benefits. Also, if you end up working more hours some weeks (like during holidays when retail gets busy), just keep an eye on that monthly total to make sure you don't accidentally go over your IRT. It's smart that you're being proactive about understanding the rules - that'll save you headaches later!

Hey! I'm also new to working while on CalWORKs and this thread has been super helpful. Just wanted to add that when I started my job, my worker told me to keep ALL my paystubs and any documentation about hours worked - they want to see everything during your next eligibility review. Also, if you have any gaps in employment or your hours vary a lot week to week (which sounds like might happen with your 22-25 hour range), make sure to explain that when you report. They prefer consistent reporting over surprises. Good luck with the Target job - retail can be tough but the experience is valuable!

Just noticed you mentioned you're a new applicant - did you complete your WTW (Welfare to Work) appointment yet? Sometimes they hold the first cash payment until after you've done that initial WTW orientation meeting. Might be worth checking if that's what's delaying things.

Hey @Zara Rashid! I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago - single mom, just approved, super stressed about when the cash would hit. Here's what I learned: for new cases, they sometimes take 3-5 business days from approval to load your first cash payment, regardless of the normal schedule. Since you were approved "last week" and got your card yesterday, I'd expect it to show up within the next day or two. One thing that helped me was checking my balance multiple times throughout the day - sometimes the money loads overnight or early morning. Also, if you have your approval paperwork, look for any mention of "first payment date" - mine was buried in the small print but it was there. If nothing shows up by Thursday and you're really stressed about rent, definitely contact your worker about emergency assistance options. Good luck!

To summarize what everyone's saying: While there's no automatic system that will immediately cut your benefits if your mother claims your child on taxes, it creates a contradiction that could cause problems. For CalWORKs, you're saying you have primary responsibility for your daughter. For IRS purposes, your mother would be claiming she provides more than half of your daughter's support. If you want to avoid potential complications with your benefits, the safest approach is to make sure your tax filing is consistent with what you report to CalWORKs. This means you should be the one claiming your daughter as a dependent.

Smart decision! I went through something similar and learned that consistency across all government systems is crucial. Your mom probably means well, but the potential risk to your stability just isn't worth it. One thing to consider - if your mom is providing significant support through childcare and purchasing items for your daughter, make sure you're accurately reporting any cash assistance she gives you on your SAR7 forms. The county needs to know about all sources of support, but as long as your daughter lives with you primarily and you're her main caretaker, you should be fine claiming her on taxes yourself. Also, once you complete your WTW program and get stable employment, you might be able to revisit the tax situation with your mom if circumstances change. But for now, protecting your Cash Aid is the priority.

Maya, I'm a single mom who recently went through this exact process, and I want to share something that really helped me - the CalWORKs Student Success Team program! Many community colleges have this specific program where they assign you a counselor who understands both the academic and benefits side of things. They helped me create an educational plan that was approved by CalWORKs, which made reporting so much smoother. One thing I learned is that you can also count childcare costs while you're in class as educational expenses - even if you're using informal childcare like paying a neighbor or family member. Just make sure to keep receipts or write up simple agreements showing what you're paying for childcare during your class hours. Also, if your county offers the CalWORKs 48-month time limit exemption for students, make sure to apply for it! This gives you additional time to complete your education without worrying about hitting the time limit on benefits. My biggest piece of advice: don't wait until you receive the aid to start the conversation with your worker. I actually brought my acceptance letter and preliminary aid information to my worker before the semester even started, and we worked out a plan together. This prevented any surprises or misunderstandings later. You're making such a smart choice for your family's future! I'm now in my final semester and already have job interviews lined up in my field. The temporary stress of managing benefits while in school is so worth it for the long-term opportunities you're creating. Your kids will be so proud watching their mom graduate! 🎓✨

Maya, as someone who's been through this exact situation, I want to share what worked for me! I'm a single mom who completed my first year at community college while on CalWORKs and CalFresh. The most important thing I learned is that documentation is EVERYTHING. Here's what I did that made the process smooth: **Before receiving any aid:** - I met with both my financial aid office AND my CalWORKs worker to explain my situation - Got a detailed award letter showing exactly what each dollar was designated for - Asked for the "Student Educational Expense Worksheet" that breaks down all anticipated costs **What counted vs. what didn't:** - Tuition, books, supplies, transportation, childcare during class = NOT counted as income - Any leftover "excess" amount = counted as income In my case, I received $4,200 in Pell Grant, but after tuition ($2,800), books ($350), supplies ($180), gas for campus ($220), only about $650 was considered income. My CalFresh stayed the same, and my Cash Aid only decreased by about $45/month. **Pro tip:** Start a dedicated folder NOW for all school receipts - even things like parking passes, calculator, backpack if required for classes. Every legitimate educational expense reduces what counts as income. Also ask about your college's CalWORKs support services - many have emergency grants, book lending programs, and childcare resources that can help minimize your costs. Don't let fear hold you back from this amazing opportunity! You're investing in your family's future, and the system is designed to support people working toward self-sufficiency. Your kids will be so proud watching their mom succeed in college! 💪📚