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Update: I went back to the office today with ALL the documents for my kids. Turns out there was a mix-up with my case - they had me confused with someone else who has a similar name!!! The supervisor apologized and they're processing my application now. They also said I can get benefits backdated to when I first tried to apply. Thank you everyone for your help and advice!! I was so stressed about this but now it's getting fixed! For anyone else having similar issues - definitely ask for a supervisor and bring ALL your documentation!!
So glad to hear you got it resolved! This is a perfect example of why it's so important to persist and ask for a supervisor when something doesn't seem right. Mix-ups with similar names happen more often than you'd think in the system. For anyone else reading this thread who might face similar issues - Dmitry's experience shows that sometimes the problem isn't with your eligibility at all, but with administrative errors. Always trust your instincts if something seems off, especially when you know you should qualify based on income and family size. And great job getting the retroactive benefits too! That can make a huge difference financially. Thanks for coming back to update us on the outcome - it really helps other community members who might be going through the same thing.
This is such great news! I'm really happy you got it sorted out. It's so frustrating when administrative errors like this happen, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of caring for four kids and trying to make ends meet. Your story will definitely help other parents who might be facing similar roadblocks - sometimes persistence really does pay off. And getting those retroactive benefits is huge! That should help catch up on some of the expenses you've had while waiting. Thanks for sharing the update with everyone here.
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I'm new to this community and just went through this exact situation! Want to share what worked for me - I created a simple spreadsheet to track both my EDD payments and CalWORKs reporting. I have columns for: EDD payment date, amount received, which SAR7 period it falls into, and whether I've reported it yet. This has been a lifesaver for staying organized! Also, something I learned the hard way - if you get any retroactive EDD payments (like if there was a delay in processing), those count as income in the month you actually receive them, not the original benefit period. Make sure to report those right away since they can be large amounts that might put you over your IRT. One more tip - keep your EDD debit card statements too, not just screenshots. Having multiple forms of documentation has saved me when my worker questioned the timing of certain payments. Everyone's advice here about being completely transparent is so important - it's better to over-communicate than risk compliance issues!
This is such a helpful approach! I'm definitely going to create a similar spreadsheet - having everything organized in one place seems like it would reduce so much stress and confusion. Your point about retroactive payments is really important and something I hadn't considered. I can see how a large lump sum payment from EDD could easily push someone over their IRT without them realizing it. Thanks for the tip about keeping the debit card statements too - I've only been taking screenshots but having that additional backup documentation makes total sense. It's clear from everyone's experiences here that the key is being proactive and over-documenting rather than trying to figure things out after problems arise. Really appreciate you sharing your system!
This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm new to this community and currently receiving CalWORKs for my family. I haven't had to deal with EDD yet, but reading through everyone's experiences has given me such valuable insight into what to expect if I ever need unemployment benefits. The complexity of coordinating between these two programs is honestly overwhelming, but seeing how supportive and knowledgeable this community is gives me confidence that there are resources and people to help navigate these challenges. I'm definitely bookmarking this discussion for future reference and will be sure to follow all the advice about detailed record-keeping and transparent reporting. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's clear that helping each other understand these complicated systems is so important for protecting our benefits and avoiding costly mistakes!
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I went through this exact same situation with my twins last year! What ended up working for me was connecting with my local community resource center - they had partnerships with several organizations that provide diapers regardless of your CalWORKs status. Also, don't give up on the CalWORKs route yet. Like others mentioned, make sure they're calculating ALL your deductions correctly. I was initially told I didn't qualify, but when I brought documentation of my childcare costs and transportation expenses, it changed everything. In the meantime, check out these resources: - Local food banks often have diaper programs - Churches sometimes run diaper pantries (even if you're not a member) - Facebook mom groups in your area - they often share info about diaper drives and giveaways - Some pediatrician offices keep sample diapers they'll give to families in need Hang in there mama, there are people and programs out there to help bridge this gap!
Thank you so much for all these suggestions! I never thought to check with food banks or churches for diapers. And hearing that you were initially told you didn't qualify but then did qualify after bringing documentation gives me hope. I'm going to gather all my childcare receipts and transportation costs and go back to my worker. In the meantime, I'll definitely look into those local Facebook groups too - that's such a great idea!
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I'm so glad to see this thread - it's such a perfect example of how this community comes together to help each other navigate these scary situations! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for a few years now, I've learned that the Homeless Assistance program is one of the best-kept secrets in the system. Most caseworkers don't proactively tell you about it unless you're already homeless, which is backwards since it's designed to PREVENT homelessness. A few additional tips for anyone else facing eviction: - If you're denied for any reason, ask about the appeal process immediately - you have 90 days to appeal - Some counties have partnerships with legal aid organizations that can help negotiate with landlords - Keep a log of every phone call, visit, and interaction with your caseworker - documentation is key @Ava Rodriguez you handled this crisis exactly right by reaching out here and acting fast. This thread should be bookmarked by everyone because housing instability affects way too many CalWORKs families. Hoping everything works out perfectly for you and your kids! 💪
This is such valuable information! I had no idea about the appeal process or the legal aid partnerships - that's really good to know for the future. You're absolutely right that caseworkers should be telling people about Homeless Assistance before they're actually homeless. When I first applied for CalWORKs, my worker just focused on the cash aid and food stamps but never mentioned any of the housing programs. It seems like there are so many resources available that families don't know about until they're in crisis mode. I'm definitely bookmarking this whole thread because the advice from everyone has been incredible. As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed at how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is. Thank you for adding those extra tips about appeals and legal aid - hopefully I won't need them but it's great to know they exist! 🙏
Reading through all these responses has been so educational! I'm a new CalWORKs recipient and had no idea about the Homeless Assistance program until seeing this thread. It's concerning that this crucial information isn't being shared proactively during the application process. For anyone else who might be in a similar situation in the future, I found this thread incredibly helpful in understanding: - The difference between temporary and permanent homeless assistance - The once-in-a-lifetime limitation (which is really important to know!) - The specific documents needed and timeline for emergency processing - Alternative resources like 211 and legal aid partnerships @Ava Rodriguez - I hope your payment processes smoothly! You've been such a great advocate for yourself and your kids by acting quickly and getting all the right documentation together. Please keep us updated on how everything turns out. This community is amazing - the level of detailed, practical advice from people with real experience is invaluable. I'm definitely saving this thread for future reference and sharing it with other families I know who might benefit from this information. Thank you to everyone who took time to share their knowledge and experiences! 🙏
Fatima Al-Farsi
I'm new to CalWORKs and this thread is SO helpful! I had no idea about the 10-day reporting rule or how they calculate income. Can someone clarify - when they say "within 10 days," does that mean 10 calendar days or 10 business days? And if I can't get through to my worker by phone, can I report changes by email or do I need to go to the office in person? I'm trying to understand all my options in case I ever need to report a change quickly. Thanks everyone for being so informative!
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Giovanni Rossi
•Hey Fatima! Welcome to the CalWORKs world - it's definitely confusing at first but you'll get the hang of it. The 10 days is calendar days, not business days, so weekends count. As for reporting methods, you can usually report changes multiple ways: phone (though good luck getting through!), in person at the office, through your county's online portal if they have one, or sometimes by fax. Email policies vary by county - some accept it, others don't. I'd recommend asking your worker what methods they accept when you first meet them, and get it in writing if possible. That way you'll know your options ahead of time. Also keep records of when and how you reported - take screenshots, keep fax confirmations, etc. in case there's ever a question about timing!
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Darren Brooks
I'm going through a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I learned from my county worker. When you report the change, ask specifically about the "good cause" provision - sometimes they can waive overpayment collections if you can show the delay in reporting was due to circumstances beyond your control (like reconciling with your spouse and needing time to figure things out). It's not guaranteed, but worth asking about. Also, one thing I didn't see mentioned - make sure to ask about any work-related deductions your husband might qualify for. Things like transportation costs to/from work, work clothes, union dues, etc. can sometimes be deducted from his countable income, which could help reduce the impact on your benefits a little bit. Definitely don't wait any longer though - the overpayment amount just gets bigger each month you don't report. Good luck with everything!
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