I'm a new member here but I've been reading through all these responses and wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation. If you haven't already, make sure to ask your caseworker about the "Illness or Incapacity of Child" exemption. This is specifically designed for situations like yours where you're caring for a child with ongoing medical needs like chronic asthma. With proper medical documentation (the CW 61 form others mentioned), you might qualify for a complete temporary exemption rather than just reduced hours. I got a 90-day exemption when my daughter was going through a series of specialist appointments, and it gave me breathing room to get everything organized. Also, keep a detailed log of every medical appointment, pharmacy visit, and day your daughter is too sick for school - this creates a paper trail that shows the ongoing nature of her condition. The caseworkers respond much better when you can show patterns rather than just isolated incidents. Don't give up - there are more protections available than they usually tell you about upfront!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through a WTW sanction situation last year with my twin boys who both have severe allergies. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the documentation and exemptions - definitely pursue all of that! But I also wanted to mention something practical that helped me: when I finally got through to my caseworker (using that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it really does work!), I asked them to put me on their "priority callback list" due to my children's medical emergencies. Some workers will do this if you explain that you have ongoing childcare issues due to medical needs. It meant when I called, I got callbacks within 24 hours instead of waiting weeks. Also, if your county has a CalWORKs ombudsman office, they can be really helpful in navigating disputes with caseworkers who aren't being responsive. They helped me get a supervisor involved when my worker was being unreasonable about my medical exemption request. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and caring for a chronically ill child absolutely qualifies for accommodations in the WTW program. Keep fighting for what you and your daughter need!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my voice to all the excellent advice you've received. Your mother-in-law is absolutely right - you should report your pregnancy immediately! I recently went through this process myself and can confirm that reporting pregnancy increases your CalFresh benefits right away since they count you as a household of 2. My benefits went from around your amount to over $400/month just from reporting pregnancy. The key is getting that pregnancy verification from your doctor with your due date clearly stated. Everyone's advice about using BenefitsCal online is spot on - it's so much easier than trying to get through on the phone. For CalWORKs, you're correct that you typically wait until third trimester, but starting the process early helps everything go smoother. Don't forget about WIC! It's separate from CalFresh and you qualify immediately when pregnant. They provide vouchers for milk, eggs, and other nutritious foods specifically for pregnancy. The WIC office is usually much more responsive than the welfare office too. Since you mentioned handling food separately from your partner, just be honest about your actual living situation. The system is designed to support pregnant women, not create obstacles. You've got this - take that first step and report your pregnancy this week! Best of luck mama! 💕

Congratulations on your pregnancy! As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share my recent experience since I was in almost the exact same situation just a few months ago. You should definitely report your pregnancy right away - don't wait for your next SAR7! When I reported mine at around 10 weeks, my CalFresh benefits increased from $275 to $441 per month because they immediately counted me as a household of 2. The increase was retroactive to when I reported it, which was such a relief. I used the BenefitsCal website to report online and it was so much easier than trying to call. Just make sure you have the pregnancy verification form from your doctor ready to upload with your due date clearly stated. The whole process took about a week from submission to seeing the increase in my benefits. For CalWORKs cash aid, you're right that you typically need to wait until your third trimester unless you have pregnancy complications. But I'd recommend gathering your documents now (pay stubs, rent receipts, etc.) so you're ready when the time comes. Also apply for WIC immediately! It's completely separate from CalFresh and you qualify right away when pregnant. They provide vouchers for milk, eggs, cheese, and other nutritious foods. The WIC office was much more helpful and responsive than the welfare office in my experience. Don't stress about the household composition questions - just be honest about your actual living arrangement with your partner. The system really is designed to help pregnant women access additional support. You've got this mama! 💕

Welcome to the community @5141cfe34e13! You're absolutely right about how supportive everyone is here - it makes such a difference when dealing with these bureaucratic challenges. Since you're new, here's another tip that might help: if you ever need to submit documents for CalWORKs, try to use the document upload feature in BenefitsCal whenever possible instead of faxing or mailing. It creates a digital trail and you get confirmation that they received it. Also, always keep screenshots/copies of everything you submit. The more you can document your interactions with the system, the better protected you are if any issues come up. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating all these processes - don't hesitate to ask questions!

This thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so valuable! @e34ddd90df8a I'm so relieved you got through and have your interview scheduled for Friday. The stress of potentially losing benefits when you have kids depending on you is just overwhelming. For anyone else who might be reading this later - one thing I learned the hard way is to always ask for confirmation of your interview time via text or email if possible. Some counties now offer text reminders for appointments, which can be a lifesaver. Also, if you have to reschedule for any reason, try to do it at least 24 hours in advance if possible - it shows good faith effort and they're usually more accommodating. The direct worker number tip really is gold! I've saved so much time using that instead of the general line. And @65e896fcd3a5's point about the separate interview units is spot on - my county has one and it cut my wait times down significantly. Good luck Friday @e34ddd90df8a - you've got all your documents ready and you've been proactive about everything. You've got this! 🍀

Based on what you've shared, here's what I would do in your situation: 1. Call your worker ASAP (using Claimyr if you can't get through) and ask specifically about lump sum averaging for worker's comp settlements 2. Get documentation from your lawyer outlining what portions of the settlement are for medical expenses versus lost wages 3. Ask your doctor for updated documentation about your work limitations for your WTW exemption 4. Create a budget for how you'll handle expenses if you do lose benefits for one month 5. Report the settlement within 10 days of receiving it, but not before 6. If you have a bank account, be aware that the month after you receive the settlement, your resources will be checked to make sure you're still under the $10,000 limit The good news is that even in the worst-case scenario where you lose benefits for one month, you should be automatically reinstated the following month without having to reapply.

One more thing to consider - if your doctor has said you can't return to your old job, make sure you're also looking into vocational rehabilitation services through the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). They can help with job training or education for work you CAN do with your injury limitations. This could be really important for your long-term financial stability since $8,500 won't last forever. Also, when you do report the settlement, ask your worker about any hardship exemptions or special circumstances that might apply since this is related to a work injury that's affecting your ability to earn income. Sometimes there are additional protections for people in situations like yours that workers don't automatically mention. Stay strong - it sounds like you're handling this the right way by asking questions and planning ahead!

Hey StarGazer101! Welcome to CalWORKs! I see you've gotten some great advice already about the payment schedule and withdrawal limits. Just wanted to add that if you're really worried about timing, you can also call the EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) to check your balance before heading to the ATM. The automated system is available 24/7 and will tell you exactly how much is available on your card. Also, since you mentioned you're new - make sure to keep all your receipts and paperwork organized from day one. It makes everything so much easier when you have to do your redetermination or if any issues come up with your case. Good luck with getting your rent sorted out!

Hey there! I'm also pretty new to CalWORKs (got approved about 6 months ago) and wanted to share what I learned about the cash withdrawal situation. Everyone's given you great advice about the payment schedule, but here's something that really helped me: I always test my card the day before I absolutely need the money. Even though your case number ends in 3 so you should get benefits on the 1st, I'd still recommend checking at like 11:50pm on the 31st just to be safe. Also, regarding the withdrawal limits - I found out that some banks (like Bank of America) will let you withdraw more at their actual branch ATMs compared to the standalone machines. My regular ATM only lets me take out $400 at a time, but at the bank branch I can get $600. Just something to keep in mind for future rent payments! One more thing - if you end up having to split your rent payment over multiple days due to withdrawal limits, most landlords are understanding if you explain the situation ahead of time. I told my landlord about the EBT limits and now he knows I might pay in two parts on the 1st and 2nd of each month.