You're right that the rules can seem counterintuitive. They date back to when the program was called AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), which was specifically designed for children who lacked parental support. The current system still maintains many of those original requirements even though family structures and needs have changed. That's why the \

Thank you everyone for explaining! The county worker never mentioned this \

Going back to your immediate need question - you do need to specifically request it. Call your worker and say "I'd like to request immediate need payment because I have less than $100 and my rent is due." They'll have to take your request and make a determination within 3 business days. The requirements are: - You must have less than $100 in liquid resources - You must have an emergency need (like rent due, utilities about to be shut off, etc.) - You must appear eligible for CalWORKs - You must have provided all mandatory verification If you qualify, they can issue up to one month's benefit amount as emergency aid even before your full application is approved. This is separate from expedited CalFresh (food stamps), which is another program with its own emergency process.

In Sacramento County here - my timeline was: Applied: January 10 Interview: January 22 Requested additional verification: January 24 Submitted verification: January 29 Approved: February 4 EBT card received: February 7 Cash available: February 8 So about 2 weeks after interview, 4 weeks total from application. But they backdated to my application date, so I got a larger first payment. Apparently, some counties are faster than others. For your immediate need situation, you should check if you qualify for a homeless assistance payment, even if you're not homeless yet. If you're at risk of eviction, you might qualify. The program can provide temporary shelter payments or help with rent/deposits. Also, as others mentioned, immediate need is definitely worth asking about - but know that if they issue immediate need, they have to then make a final determination on your case within 15 days instead of the standard 30.

btw if u get approved for the emergency aid does that mean ur automatically approved for regular calworks to? or can they give u emergency money then deny ur regular application?

Just wanted to update everyone - I finally got through to someone at the county office (took forever) and requested immediate need like you all suggested. They're processing it and said I should get emergency funds by Friday! They also helped me complete the homeless assistance application since I'm behind on rent. Thank you all SO MUCH for the advice. I'm still nervous about getting my regular benefits restored but at least this buys me some time with my landlord.

I had my recert last month too its crazy how different the workers can be. My friend who goes to the same office got a super nice lady but I got this man who kept sighing like i was wasting his time. he kept saying woulid hit my 48 month lifetime limit soon (I've only been on casework for like 2.5 years???) so i should be looking for bettrr work. like thanks dude really helpful advice never thought of that 🙄

Congratulations on your approval! One thing I always recommend after recertification is to check your benefit amount calculation carefully. The Notice of Action you receive should show exactly how they calculated your grant amount. If your income changed at all, make sure the new amount makes sense. I've seen too many cases where data entry errors led to incorrect benefit amounts, and it's much easier to fix these right away than months later. Also remember that if your income increases before your next report is due, you only need to report it if it exceeds your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT), which should be listed on your approval notice.

my sister had to reapply cuz her first app got denied. make sure u upload proof of disability on benefitscal its important

One more tip - when you reapply, you can actually request a reasonable accommodation based on your disability. This means they can give you extra time to submit documents, help you fill out forms, or even do a phone interview instead of requiring you to come in person if your back injury makes it difficult to travel. Just be sure to mention your need for accommodation when you apply.

i almost 4got! if u do end up having to do the child support thing just so u know its the LCSA (local child support agency) that handles it not calworks directly. so once ur case gets referred thats who ull deal with for that part. its separate from ur regular calworks worker

The whole system is RIGGED to make it as HARD AS POSSIBLE for single parents to get help!!! I've been through this nightmare and they don't care about your safety AT ALL. They just want to track down these men to get their money back. My worker literally told me "it's about the state recouping costs" NOT about helping my kids!! Even with the so-called "good cause" exemption, they make you jump through a million hoops and most people get DENIED anyway. The whole thing is a JOKE. My advice? Find ANY other way to make ends meet before dealing with this system!!

To follow up on your training program question - yes, education and training can absolutely count toward your WTW hours! The program is called "Self-Initiated Program" (SIP) if you're already enrolled before your WTW plan starts, or they can approve education/training as part of your regular WTW plan. Some options they typically approve: - Community college courses - Adult education classes - Vocational training programs - Certificate programs - ESL classes (if English isn't your first language) Bring this up during your orientation and appraisal - it's much better than generic workshops! They'll also provide supportive services like childcare, transportation assistance, and sometimes book/supply costs while you're in an approved program.

I was in the same boat a few months ago. It took me FOREVER to get through to someone. When I finally did, they told me I was supposed to have received an orientation packet in the mail weeks earlier, which I never got. They were about to start the sanction process even though they never properly notified me! Make sure you document EVERYTHING - dates you called, who you spoke with, etc. They might try to blame you for their mistake.

After trying that Claimyr service I mentioned and actually speaking to a worker, I found out that my denial was because they needed additional verification about my living situation. The worker was able to tell me exactly what documents they needed and gave me a fax number to send them directly to her. Much easier than reapplying from scratch. Also make sure you've applied for CalFresh (food stamps) separately! Even if you're dealing with CalWORKs issues, you might still qualify for CalFresh and can get food assistance while sorting out the cash aid.

Just want to add something important - when you do request a hearing, you have rights to examine your case file before the hearing. Request a copy of your entire file so you can see exactly what they claim is missing. The county is required to provide this info. Also, if you discover what verification was missing, you can provide it and ask for a "conditional withdrawal" of your hearing request - basically saying "If you approve me now that I've provided this document, I'll withdraw my hearing request." This often works because counties don't want to go through hearings if they can avoid them. For the Homeless Assistance, ask specifically for "Permanent Homeless Assistance" if you're being evicted from established housing, not "Temporary Homeless Assistance" which is for if you're already homeless.

when I was on calworks they told me differnt counties have differnt hours. i think its dumb they can just decide when to stop answering calls. i remember in LA county they stopped taking calls at 4 but in san bernardino they were open till 5. My cousin in alameda county said there open till 5:30 there!!!! makes no sense why every county is different when its all the same calworks program!!!!

Call hour the same 8 to 5 but they stop putting ppl in line early. my worker told me they all do this. riverside extra bad tho, my friend had to physically go into the office to resolve her case they NEVER anwsered phones.

Has anyone else noticed that CalWORKs makes it IMPOSSIBLE to reach them by phone when you're in crisis?? Like they literally design the system to fail us. I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone about my eviction last month before I finally gave up and just took my kids to the office to wait all day. The system is BROKEN.

UPDATE: Great news! My Homeless Assistance was approved! They're paying two months of my back rent ($2,800) directly to my landlord. I showed my landlord the approval letter and he agreed to a payment plan where I'll pay the remaining $1,400 over the next 4 months ($350 extra each month). He canceled the eviction notice! I'm so relieved. The worker also helped me report my decreased income so my Cash Aid amount will increase starting next month. Thank you everyone for your advice - you literally helped save my family from homelessness.