I just wanted to update everyone - I took the job! After talking to my worker (finally got through), she confirmed everything that most of you said. I'll still get some Cash Aid, keep childcare benefits, and actually have more total money each month. Thanks for all the advice!

Congratulations on taking the job! That's such great news. I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I started working part-time. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my paystubs and any communication with my worker about how they calculated my benefits. It made the monthly reporting so much easier. Also, if you haven't already, ask your worker about any work-related expense deductions you might be eligible for - things like uniforms, transportation costs, or even childcare expenses above what they cover. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning to work while still on benefits. Hope the new job goes well for you and your daughter! It sounds like you did your research and made a smart decision.

This whole thread is such a perfect example of how we all help each other navigate this confusing system! I'm so relieved for you @DeShawn that it turned out to be annual reporting - what a weight off your shoulders! For anyone else who might stumble across this post with SAR 7 issues, I want to add that you can also check your reporting status by logging into BenefitsCal and looking at your "Case Summary" page. It should show your next reporting due date there. If it says something like "Next Report Due: [date in far future]" you're probably on annual reporting. Also, pro tip: if you ever DO need to submit a SAR 7 and the online system is down, most counties will accept photos of a handwritten form sent through their secure messaging system in BenefitsCal. It's usually under "Send a Message" or "Contact Us" when you log in. Way easier than trying to get through on the phone sometimes! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community really does make dealing with all this bureaucracy so much more manageable! 💙

What a rollercoaster this thread has been! @DeShawn I'm so happy it worked out for you - that panic when you think your benefits might get cut off is just awful. I've been there! This whole situation really highlights how broken the communication is between the county and recipients. They switch your reporting requirements but don't send a clear notification? That's ridiculous. We shouldn't have to be detectives just to figure out what we're supposed to do. I want to echo what others said about keeping good records. After my own nightmare experience with a missed SAR 7 (that turned out to be submitted correctly but "lost" in their system), I now: 1) Take screenshots of EVERYTHING when I submit online 2) Keep a calendar with all my important dates highlighted 3) Save every single letter they send me, even the boring ones Also, for anyone reading this who's new to CalWORKs - don't be afraid to ask your worker questions! I know some of them can be hard to reach, but the good ones will explain your reporting requirements clearly. And if you get someone who's unhelpful, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor. This community has been such a lifeline for navigating all this bureaucracy. Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and supporting each other! 💪

One more tip - if you do end up going over your IRT during the month, you have 10 calendar days from when you receive the income (not from when you get paid) to report it. So if you get your paycheck on Friday but it covers work from earlier in the month, the 10 days starts from when you actually received the check. You can report online through BenefitsCal, by phone, or in person. I always recommend getting some kind of confirmation when you report - like a screenshot if you do it online or asking for a receipt if you go in person. That way you have proof you reported on time if there's ever a question later.

I just went through this same situation a few months ago! The stress of not knowing the exact IRT amount is real. One thing that helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when the county office opens - I had better luck getting through then rather than calling during busy afternoon hours. Also, if you have your case number handy, sometimes the automated phone system will let you hear some basic case information including benefit amounts, which might include your IRT. It's worth trying before waiting on hold forever. And definitely keep documenting everything - dates you tried to call, any confirmation numbers if you report income, etc. The system can be overwhelming but you're being responsible by asking these questions upfront!

I'm also new to this community and just wanted to say how helpful this whole thread has been! I'm a single parent who just started the CalWORKs application process last week, and honestly all the different benefit programs are so confusing to keep straight. Reading everyone's experiences here really helped clear up the confusion between CalWORKs and CalFresh payments. My neighbor had told me something about split payments too, but now I understand she was probably talking about her food stamps, not the cash aid. It's so reassuring to know there are people here who actually know what they're talking about and are willing to help newcomers like us figure this all out. Looking forward to being part of this supportive community as I navigate through this whole process!

I'm also pretty new to this community and just went through the CalWORKs application process a couple months ago! This thread is so helpful - I had the exact same confusion about payment timing when I first got approved. Just to add my experience: I'm in LA County and my CalWORKs cash comes all at once on the 2nd of each month (based on my case number ending in 2). My CalFresh is $485 for my family and that gets split - first half comes on the 2nd with my cash, second half comes on the 12th. One tip I learned from my worker - if you ever have questions about payment dates or amounts, you can also check the MyBenefitsCal.com website. It shows your payment schedule and history once you create an account. Really helpful for budgeting and keeping track of everything! Hope your first payment comes through soon! The waiting is always the hardest part.

Hey Carlos! Congrats on getting approved! I just went through this process a few months ago. You'll definitely get a separate notice for WTW orientation - mine came about 3 weeks after my approval letter. The orientation is usually scheduled for 2-3 weeks out from when you get the notice, so you'll have some time to arrange childcare. Since you already have part-time work, that's actually going to help a lot! They count those 15 hours toward your requirement. And definitely apply for the childcare assistance ASAP - it can take a while to get approved and find providers, but once you do, it's a huge help. One tip: keep track of all your job search activities even before orientation starts. They sometimes ask you to show what you've been doing since approval, and having that documentation ready makes everything smoother. You've got this! The WTW part seems scary at first but it's really just about showing you're trying to become more self-sufficient, which it sounds like you already are.

Welcome to CalWORKs, Carlos! I'm new here too and just got my approval last month. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful - I had no idea about some of this stuff like the 48-month clock and Earned Income Disregard. I'm still waiting for my WTW orientation notice (it's been 2.5 weeks since approval) and getting pretty anxious about it. Does anyone know if there's a way to check on the status or if we can call to ask when it's coming? I keep checking my mail every day and worry I might have missed something important. Also curious about the childcare application process - do we apply at the orientation or should we try to get that started beforehand? I have a 4-year-old and really need to get this figured out before any mandatory activities start. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is already helping me feel less overwhelmed about the whole process!